Funding Requirements

Federal regulations require exchange visitor program hosts to verify that an exchange visitor applying for a J-1 visa has sufficient funding to cover expenses for the duration of the entire exchange visitor program (including dependent expenses if applicable). Funding from multiple sources is acceptable.

Funding documentation must also be provided when:

  • Adding J-2 dependent(s) to the J-1 SEVIS recordÌý
  • Extending the DS-2019 exchange visitor program end date.
ÌýFunding Per Month of the
J-1 Exchange Visitor Program		Funding Per Year of the
J-1 Exchange Visitor Program
J-1 Exchange Visitor

$3,506Ìý

$42,072

J-2 Spouse

$1,425Ìý

$17,100*

Each J-2 Child

$1,009Ìý

$12,108*

The funding requirement for a spouse and child(ren) applying for a J-2 visa is in addition to the funding requirement for the primary exchange visitor.

  • Example: An exchange visitor with a program length of one year, and with 1 spouse and 1 child:
    • J-1 requirement: $42,072
    • J-2 spouse requirement: $17,100
    • One J-2 child requirement: $12,108
    • TOTAL: $71,280 for the one-year program

Financial Documentation Guidelines

  1. General Requirements
    • All documents must be in English, state the currency, and be dated within 6 months of submission to ISSS.
  2. Institutional Funding
    • All documents must be on official letterhead of the entity providing the funding.
      • Examples of institutions that can provide funding include, but are not limited to:
        • Exchange visitor’s home country government organizations
        • U.S. government organizations
        • Educational institutions or organizations
        • Visitor’s employer
        • CU Boulder (on CU payroll): A CU offer letter, signed by all parties, is require.d
  3. Non-CU Boulder Funding
    • Documents must include:
      • Dates or period the funding will cover
      • Total amount of funding and currency provided for the entire length of the J-1 program
      • A statement confirming the funding will support the exchange visitor’s program
      • Signature of an authorized signatory at the organization
  4. Personal Funding (including third-party support such as from family or friends)
    • Documents must include the name of the account holder, currency, and show liquid funds (assets that can be readily converted to cash), such as:
      • Exchange visitor’s bank account (checking, saving, or similar account).
      • Exchange visitor’s other financial accounts with liquid funds
    • For third party documents:
      • Third party’s bank account (checking, savings, or similar account)
      • Third party’s other financial accounts with liquid funds
      • Signed Affidavit of Support.
        • The affidavit must be uploaded in the Request (e.g., initial DS-2019, J-2 dependent, extension).

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