Michigan State University's Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS) is required by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) to receive, review, and evaluate the availability of financial support before issuing immigration documents.
In the event an Exchange Visitor (EV) is not sufficiently funded by the MSU host department, OISS must then obtain reliable documentation that the EV has financial resources that will adequately meet the local living expenses and health insurance cost while pursuing a J-1 Program at MSU.
Scholars and student interns must have accurate and up-to-date financial information printed on their immigration documents at all times.
Bank statements or bank letters
Please review Criteria for Bank Statements and Bank Letters* tab
Bank statement/letter detailing the sponsor’s name and account balance
Please review Criteria for Bank Statements and Bank Letters* tab
If the account holder is not the prospective scholar or dependent included in the application a signed Affidavit of Support must be provided
Must detail Scholars’ name
Must be on letterhead
Must be dated within the last 6 months
Must detail the covered amount of the sponsorship and/or confirmation that the scholar’s salary will continue to be paid during the J-1 program
Must detail the number of months/years covered by the sponsorship
Must include a signature representative or an official stamp
Any document not in English must include the original document along with the English translation and the certification below.
Translations can be made by anyone who is competent in both English and the language in which the document is written. The prospective scholar or a family member of the prospective scholar cannot make the translation.
I [typed name], certify that I am fluent (conversant) in the English and ______________ languages, and that the above/attached document is an accurate translation of the document attached entitled ______________________________.
Signature
Date
Typed name
Address
PLEASE NOTE: 12-month program length limitation is in effect when personal funds are the sole source of funding.
Initial (new) programs with 100% personal funds will be granted for 12 months maximum, with the possibility of future extensions up to the category limit.
Current J-1 scholars who wish to extend with 100% personal funds can be extended for a maximum of 12 months, with the possibility of future extensions up to the category limit.
The 12-month limitation is lifted if MSU host department contributes a minimum of 25% towards the minimum funding requirements.
Documentation Requirements:
Must include the financial institution’s name
Must include the account’s holder name
Must include a date (issuance date for bank letters or last bank statement date
Must detail the currency type
Must include current balance
Must be in English or provided in its original form with a third-party translation that includes a “Certificate of Translator”
Submitting bank statements/letters from multiple accounts is acceptable
1. Funds that ARE NOT immediately accessible or that can change in value, such as:
Salary Statements that are missing the language specified under “Government/Employer/Non-Governmental Organization (NGO)” above
Paystubs
Life insurance policies
Loan applications
Retirement funds
Credit card statements or lines of credit
Trusts
Stocks or cryptocurrency
Assets that are not in liquidated form (house, car, etc.)
2. Documents dated older than 6 months at time of DS-2019 request
3. Screenshots of bank accounts
4. ATM Receipts
5. Passbook savings copies
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