J-1 Exchange students must come from NSU’s partner institutions and must be nominated by the International Office at the home institution.

Nomination deadlines:

  • For Spring Semester (January – May), application is open from October 1st – November 1st.
  • For Fall Semester (August – December), application is open from April 15th – June1st.

Student nomination by partner institutions

The home university must send the list of the exchange students selected to study at NSU to the Director of the International Student Resource Center (ISRC) indicating:

  • Student’s first and last names
  • Subject area of study
  • Official student’s e-mail address
  • Specific semester of attendance:
  • First semester (August – December) of YYYY
  • Second semester (January – May) of YYYY

After nomination by home institution

  1. The ISRC will send out an e-mail to the students with the application packet and instructions.
  2. Each student must complete the application packet and send it electronically to the International Student Resource Center. If you are unable to provide proof of English proficiency, make an appointment with the ISRC for a video-conference call.
  3. The NSU Office of Admissions will admit each student as non-degree seeking visitor student.
  4. Once admitted, an NSU ID number will be created for each student.
  5. The ISRC will create the form DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status J-Nonimmigrant). The original DS-2019 form will be mailed to the International office of the home institution.
  6. Once the student has the SEVIS number created with the form DS-2019, the student must pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee at https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.html before the visa interview. A receipt of this payment must be taken to the visa interview.
  7. Schedule your VISA appointment at the nearest US Embassy. For more information on the J-1 VISA application process, please visit; https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/exchange.html.
  8. Notify the IRSC whether your visa was approved or denied.
  9. The ISRC will send an e-mail with instructions to search and choose the courses you will take at NSU.
  10. Notify the ISRC via e-mail on what courses you want to take and the ISRC will do the initial registration of classes.
  11. The ISRC will send an e-mail confirming your username and password.
  12. Notify the ISRC of your travel dates and arrangements, so your airport pick up can be accommodated. In order for the ISRC to arrange an airport pick-up the student must arrive at either 1) Alexandria International Airport (Louisiana), or 2) Shreveport Regional Airport (Louisiana).
    Students have also arrived at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and then have taken a Greyhound Bus to travel to Alexandria, Louisiana, where the ISRC can pick them up.
  13. J-1 visitor students can enter the United States 30 days prior to the start of the program date indicated on the form DS-2019. However, you may arrive Natchitoches 1 week prior to the residence halls opening. J-1 Exchange visitors may stay in the country until 30 days after the program end date indicated on the form DS-2019.
  14. Report to the ISRC upon arrival.

Applying for Housing

Orientation Session

  • International Students at NSU must assist the Mandatory Orientation Session held on the Friday before classes start. The date and more details of the session will be communicated by e-mail.

Contact Information

Telba Espinoza-Contreras
Director of the International Student Resource Center
Email: contrerast@nsula.edu
Phone: (318) 357-5939
Address: 227 Russell Hall, 125 Central Ave., Natchitoches, LA 71497