Scholar (J-1 Exchange Visitor) Requests

Export Controls Processing Times

Due to personnel changes, the Office of Export Controls (OEC)  requires 5-6 weeks to review all visa Export Control clearances for visa applications.

  • Keep this in mind when submitting initial, extension, and amendment requests for DS-2019 forms (J-1 visas) and H-1B filings.
    • DS-2019 requests should be submitted 3-4 months prior to the requested start date.
    • H-1B requests should be submitted 6 months prior to the requested start date.

If there is a time-sensitive DS-2019 (J-1) or H-1B request, contact your assigned ISSS advisor.

Exchange Visitor HCM Record Requirement

Departments must add a position or in HCM (directly or with the assistance of the HR Service Center) for all incoming J-1 exchange visitor scholars and interns prior to taking any actions in the MyISSS Departmental Services Portal or submitting DS-2019 request paperwork to ISSS. 

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Exchange Visitor Program Overview

The  is intended to foster international exchange, understanding, and collaboration. Exchange visitor program regulations require program sponsors to:

  • Verify and document that the prospective exchange visitor has sufficient English proficiency to function independently both on and off campus.
  • Verify and document that the prospective exchange visitor has sufficient funding for the program
  • Ensure the exchange visitor pursues their exchange visitor program goals and objectives at least 20 hours per week
    • At least 3 days a week must be on the CU Boulder campus or primary CU-sponsored work site
  • Monitor compliance with the
  • Provide cross-cultural activities "to give their exchange visitors the broadest exposure to American society, culture, and institutions; and encourage exchange visitors to participate voluntarily in activities that are for the purpose of sharing the language, culture, or history of their home country with Americans, provided such activities do not delay the completion of the exchange visitor’s program" [].  

Any international scholar for whom the university undertakes visa sponsorship must have some sort of CU Boulder affiliation. This does not mean that the visitor must be on the payroll of the university. Scholars may receive funding from various sources including: the home government, a U.S. government agency, an employer, and/or other sources.

In certain circumstances, the University of Colorado may place exchange visitors at third-party sites. However, CU Boulder, as the sponsoring institution, remains obligated to ensure that both the exchange visitor and the third-party entity understand and comply with the BridgeUSA regulations and expectations.

Review our Hosting International Scholars as Exchange Visitors on J-1 Visas prior to initiating a DS-2019 request.

Scholar Exchange Visitor Categories

 

CategoryMinimum ParticipationMaximum ParticipationAcceptable ActivitiesSpecial Requirements / Restrictions
/ 3 weeks5 yearsTeaching, lecturing, observing, consulting and conducting researchBachelor's degree required. No tenure track positions.
1 day6 monthsLecturing, observing, consulting, training, demonstrating special skills.Bachelor's degree expected.
3 weeks1 yearObserving, consulting, demonstrating special knowledge or skills. Sharing expertise.Cannot be filling a permanent or long-term position.
3 weeks1 yearFull-fill educational objectives for degree program in home country. .

Internship position. Good academic standing. Must return home to finish degree.

Department must submit the Exchange Visitor Student Intern Request

Host Supervisors of Exchange Visitor Scholars

Exchange visitors in J-1 status must have a host supervisor who is full-time CU faculty (not an adjunct) who will be present (not on sabbatical) for the duration of the exchange visitor’s J-1 program. A full-time advanced researcher (not on a post-doc position) who has a supervisory role at CU Boulder is also allowed.

The J-1 exchange visitor may have other supervisors in addition to their main J-1 host supervisor.

  • Any additional supervisors do not need to meet the host supervisor requirements (i.e. they can be part-time or on sabbatical).

The host supervisor indicated on the Host Department Information e-form or Change in Supervisor e-form must meet the host supervisor critera. They will be recorded as the contact for ISSS and main host supervisor responsible for overseeing the exchange visitor’s J-1 program activities.

  • A research institute/department submitting an exchange visitor program DS-2019 Request or Change in Supervisor request where the host supervisor for the exchange visitor program is not full-time CU Boulder faculty/staff, must submit the CU Boulder Supervisor Form as part of their request (available on the relevant e-form request landing page in the Departmental Services Portal).

If the host supervisor changes or the host supervisors goes on sabbatical during the exchange visitor program, the department administrator must submit the Exchange Visitor (Scholar) Change in Supervisor Form (available in the Departmental Services Portalto notify ISSS of the change in supervision.

Scholar Exchange Visitor DS-2019 Request Process

The CU host department/ research institute and/or the inviting faculty/ research member is required to confirm the prospective exchange visitor has the appropriate credentials for the position and exchange visitor category and sufficient English language proficiency for participation in the proposed exchange visitor program.

Departments/institutes should prepare all DS-2019 Request materials well in advance of the requested exchange visitor program (DS-2019) start date.

DS-2019 Request Timeline 

DS-2019 Request Checklist 

  • Ensure that the speedtype for the ISSS processing fee is not a Fund 30, 31, 35, 50, 71, 72, 73,74, 78, 80, or 99

Create/Update Person of Interest (POI) Record in HCM

Before completing the Add New Person e-form or initiating a DS-2019 Request in the MyISSS Departmental Services portal, departments must first add/update a position or in HCM (directly or with the assistance of the HR Service Center).

Determine if there is Already an HCM Record

Start by determining whether the prospective exchange visitor .Use the Transaction Launch page as the platform for searches; it supersedes row level security, department, and campus limitations to allow HCM searches of the entire university, and allows searches by partial data, which makes them much more powerful. 

  • Duplicate records can cause failures in online hiring steps, create tax compliance issues, and may lead to issues accessing university portals (e.g., MyISSS Student/Scholar portal, MyCUinfo).

Record Already Exists in HCM

  • Update the prospective exchange visitor's record as necessary , , , ) to reflect the new exchange visitor program.
    • Departments that are HRSC-supported:
      • Submit a request to HRSC to update the appointment end date update.
      • Provide the scholar's first and last name, employee ID, POI confirmation, new appointment end date, sponsoring department, and sponsor's position number.
    • Departments that are not HRSC-supported:
      • Update the end date in HCM utilizing the ‘Maintain Person of Interest’ page.
      • Contact the HRSC with questions or for assistance.

No Record in HCM- Adding a New Position/POI

If the prospective exchange visitor does not already have a record in HCM, you will have to add a record.

To collect the information required for the HCM record, have prospective exchange visitors (including returning scholars) complete the Scholar: Prospective J-1 Exchange Visitor Intake Form and submit a copy of their passport.

  • Departments may choose to develop their own internal form for collecting information required for the HCM record.

Departments that are HRSC-Supported

Departments that are not HRSC-Supported

  • If you will add the yourself, review the resource and take all necessary steps prior to adding the record in HCM.

Previous CU Student or Scholar without Employee ID

If the prospective exchange visitor is already affiliated with the University of Colorado/CU system (previous student or scholar program) and did not previously have an Employee ID:

  • Email the prospective exchange visitor's name, University ID from the previous program, and Employee ID from the HCM record to the ISSS advisor assigned to your department as soon as it is generated so ISSS can add it to the prospective exchange visitor’s MyISSS profile.
  • The DS-2019 Request cannot be initiated until ISSS adds the Employee ID to the prospective scholar's MyISSS profile.
    • The Employee ID from the HCM record is required to initiate the DS-2019 Request and must be entered on the Host Department Information e-form.

Initiating the DS-2019 Request

Add New Person (Create a MyISSS Profile)

After a position/POI is added in HCM for the prospective exchange visitor, the department administrator can submit the Add New Person e-form (to create a MyISSS profile) for prospective exchange visitors who do not already have a CU affiliation and MyISSS profile. Departments may use the Scholar: Prospective J-1 Exchange Visitor Intake Form to collect information (optional, departments may choose to develop their own forms and processes).

  • Do not submit an Add New Person e-form for individuals already affiliated with the University of Colorado/CU system through a previous student or scholar program.
  • If you have questions about whether or not a record exists for a prospective exchange visitor, contact the ISSS advisor assigned to your department or institute.

Once the prospective exchange visitor has a MyISSS profile, the department can initiate the DS-2019 Request in the Departmental Services Portal.

DS-2019 Request

Completed DS-2019 request paperwork for a new exchange visitor program must be submitted to ISSS at least 3 to 6 months in advance of the desired exchange visitor program start date.

  • It is possible that an exchange visitor program start date may have to be delayed due to timing issues related to internal review procedures, export control licensing (if applicable), and visa acquisition.

Office of Export Controls (OEC) Review

All DS-2019 requests, initial and program extensions, must be reviewed by the Office of Export Controls (OEC) for export control concerns before ISSS can begin processing the request.

  • This initial review can take 5 to 6 weeks and the outcome could require additional steps that can further delay the exchange visitor program start date.

If you are submitting a DS-2019 Request on behalf of a CU Boulder Research Institute (e.g., LASP, CIRES) that has its own internal export control review process, you will have to upload documentation of the completed internal review in the Export Control Review e-form.

The Export Control Review e-form with the internal export control review documentation will be sent to the Office of Export Controls for a final review. 

If the exchange visitor will participate in sponsored research projects, you must include complete project information and a description of the exchange visitor’s proposed project activities in the Program Information & Details e-form.

The export control review will result in one of the following outcomes:

  1. OEC determines that no export license is required for the proposed exchange visitor program.
    • OEC approves the Export Control Form, and the request is forwarded to ISSS for processing.
       
  2. OEC requires additional information from the sponsor to complete the review. Assuming OEC’s request is answered promptly, this will typically add 1 to 2 week to the review process before a final determination is made.
    • If it is determined that no license is required, OEC will approve the Export Control Form and the request will be forwarded to ISSS for processing.
    • If a license is required, the request will be processed as described below.
       
  3. OEC determines that the exchange visitor requires an export license from the US government.
    • The departments decided to modify the exchange visitor’s activities so a federal license is no longer required (since it can take 3 to 6 months to obtain an export license).  
      • OEC will indicate, “The exchange visitor's proposed activities will be modified.” on the Export Control Review Form and submit the e-form to ISSS The DS-2019 Request will be set to Draft Status for the department to update. All the DS-2019 Request e-forms will have to be resubmitted again including the Departmental Responsibilities & Attestation e-forms. OEC will review the request again and once OEC provides approval on the Export Control Form, the DS-2019 Request will be forwarded to ISSS for processing.
    • The department requests OEC apply for the export license.
      • OEC will indicate that they will apply for the export license on the Export Control Review Form and submit the e-form to ISSS. ISSS will not process the DS-2019 Request until the license is obtained. OEC will let ISSS know when the license is obtained. The Export Control Form will be set to Draft Status so OEC can mark, “An export license has been obtained and this Export Control Review Form is approved.”

Immigration regulations require the university to validate the arrival of exchange visitors in J-1 status in the United States in SEVIS within 30 days of the program start date indicated on their DS-2019.  

To meet this requirement, scholars must complete the following e-forms (available in their MyISSS portal in the J-1 Scholar Services section):

  • Exchange Visitor Scholar Orientation & Quiz E-Form
    • Can be completed prior to the DS-2019 start date, but only AFTER arrival in the United States in J-1 status
  • Immigration Check-In E-Form
    • Must be completed after arrival in the U.S. in J-1 status or transfer to CU Boulder

If an exchange visitor scholar hosted by your department will arrive I the U.S. later than the DS-2019 start date, please contact the ISSS advisor assigned to your department as the scholar's SEVIS record may need to be updated.

Failure to complete the immigration check-in process with ISSS within 30 days of the DS-2019 start date will result in the cancelation of an exchange visitor's SEVIS record and J-1 status in the United States. 

 

This information applies only for the extension of an exchange visitor program/DS-2019 of a scholar currently at CU Boulder.

The DS-2019 Extension e-form group must be completed at least 4-6 weeks in advance of the program end date indicated on the scholar’s current DS-2019 to allow time to address any export control concerns and for ISSS processing.

DS-2019 Extension Checklist 

  • A complete DS-2019 Extension request requires the department administrator, host supervisor, department chairperson, Office of Export Controls, and the exchange visitor to complete e-forms.
  • The updated DS-2019 must be issued by ISSS prior to the current DS-2019 end date. 

Before initiating a DS-2019 extension request, departments must:

  Confirm the exchange visitor's extended program end date will not exceed maximum participation limits for their J-1 exchange visitor category (see Scholar Exchange Visitor Categories chart above).

  Confirm the exchange visitor has not obtained a waiver of the 212(e) two-year home residence requirement

  • Once an exchange visitor receives a U.S. Department of State recommendation for a 212(e) waiver, they are no longer eligible for a J-1 exchange visitor program DS-2019 extension.

  Confirm the exchange visitor has adequate funding for the duration of the extension period.

  Confirm the exchange visitor will continue working towards the original exchange visitor program goals and objectives, indicated on their DS-2019 Request, during the extension period.

  Take the necessary steps in HCM to update the scholar's HCM record (directly or with the assistance of the HR Service Center) to reflect the extended exchange visitor program.

  • for position/POI records you do not want terminated
    • Departments that are HRSC-supported:
      • Submit a request to HRSC to update the appointment end date update.
      • Provide the scholar's first and last name, employee ID, POI confirmation, new appointment end date, sponsoring department, and sponsor's position number.
    • Departments that are not HRSC-supported:
      • Update the end date in HCM utilizing the ‘Maintain Person of Interest’ page; or
      • Contact the HRSC for assistance

All new DS-2019 extension requests need to be submitted through the MyISSS Departmental Services portal.  

DS-2019 Extension Overview 

  1. Compile the exchange visitor program details for the extension period
    • If the prospective exchange visitor will be paid by CU Boulder and/or the original offer letter had an end date listed or any other changes have been made to the exchange visitor's position (e.g., salary, title, etc.):
      •   Obtain a fully signed university offer letter including addendums (if applicable) from HR/OFA.
    • If the terms of the exchange visitor program (e.g., goals, objectives, supervisor, funding source) have changed for the extension period:
    • If the host department/ research institute has an internal export control review process:
    • If the exchange visitor seeking a DS-2019 extension is abroad, the host supervisor must upload ​a letter to support the request to extend the exchange visitor program while the exchange visitor is outside the U.S. Include the following:
      • A statement that the collaboration with CU will continue and that the exchange visitor program goals and objectives will continue to be pursued while the exchange visitor is absent;
      • An explanation of the benefit conferred to CU while the exchange visitor is absent; and
      • A justification for keeping the exchange visitor program active while the exchange visitor is outside the U.S.
         
  2. Initiate the DS-2019 Extension e-form group in the MyISSS Departmental Services portal.
    • You will need to enter the scholar’s University/Employee ID and date of birth to link the request to the scholar’s record.
       
  3. To return to an already initiated DS-2019 Extension request, click on “My Current Cases” tile under “Lists” in the Departmental Services portal to access the request.  

DS-2019 Extension E-Forms 

A complete DS-2019 Extension request requires the submission of 9 individual e-forms. 

  • Complete the Host Department Information (Extension) e-form.
    • For DS-2019 Extension requests, this e-form does not have to be approved by ISSS in order to submit the remaining e-forms in the request.
  • If the host supervisor is not full-time CU faculty/staff:
    • Also submit the CU Boulder Supervisor Form.
  • Complete the Program Information & Details (Extension) e-form.
  • Complete the Departmental Administrator: Departmental Responsibilities & Attestation (Extension) e-form.
    • Upon your submission of the Departmental Administrator: Departmental Responsibilities & Attestation e-form, the scholar will receive an email requesting that they complete the scholar e-forms included in the DS-2019 Extension request. Please monitor the status of their submission on their DS-2019 Extension request e-form group landing page and follow-up if necessary.
      • The exchange visitor must submit the scholar e-forms.
        • The department cannot submit these e-forms on the exchange visitor's behalf as there are attestations that were developed specifically for the exchange visitor.
    • If you would like to email the scholar directly or they indicate they did not receive the MyISSS email, direct them to log into their MyISSS portal, click on Departmental Services on the left navigation, then click on the DS-2019 Extension (Scholar) tile. Within the DS-2019 Extension (Scholar) screen, instruct them to scroll down and click on the already initiated DS-2019 Extension (Scholar) request (not the Start a New Request link).
  • Open the Host Supervisor: Departmental Responsibilities & Attestation (Extension) e-form, enter the name and email address of the person who will supervise the exchange visitor during the extension period, and submit the e-form.
  • Open the Department Chairperson: Departmental Responsibilities & Attestation (Extension) e-form, enter the name and email address of your departmental or research institution chairperson, and submit the e-form.
  • Do not initiate the Export Controls Review (Extension) e-form until all prior required e-forms are in pending or submitted status. For DS-2019 Extension requests, ISSS does not need to approve the Host Department Information e-form for departments to submit the Export Controls Review e-form.
    • The Export Controls Review (extension) e-form is pre-populated with the Office of Export Controls (OEC) information. Click on "Submit" to send the e-form to OEC. Typical processing by OEC is 5 to 6 weeks.
    • Departments that have an internal export control review must also upload documentation of the completed internal review in the e-form.

Accessing an Already Initiated DS-2019 Extension Request

To return to an already initiated DS-2019 Extension request, click on “My Current Cases” tile under “Lists” in the Departmental Services portal to access the request. 

  • Do not attempt to access an already initiated DS-2019 Extension request by clicking on the “DS-2019 Extension (Scholar)” tile under “Tasks” in the Departmental Services portal, as this may create a duplicate request and the information required to extend a DS-2019 may be spread across multiple requests.
    • This will have to be manually corrected by the department which will slow the processing of the DS-2019 extension as all information must be on a singular request.

This information applies to the case where a current CU Boulder J-1 exchange visitor scholar is transferring to a new CU Boulder department to continue to pursue the original exchange visitor program goals and objectives.

The DS-2019 Request (Internal Transfer) e-form group must be completed at least 4-6 weeks in advance of the program end date indicated on the scholar’s current DS-2019 to allow time to address any export control concerns and for ISSS processing.

  • A complete DS-2019 Request (Internal Transfer) requires the department administrator, host supervisor, department chairperson, Office of Export Controls, and the exchange visitor to complete e-forms.
  • The updated DS-2019 must be issued by ISSS. 

Before initiating a DS-2019 Request (Internal Transfer), departments must:

  Confirm the exchange visitor's program end date will not exceed maximum participation limits for their J-1 exchange visitor category (see Scholar Exchange Visitor Categories chart above).

  Confirm the exchange visitor has not obtained a waiver of the 212(e) two-year home residence requirement

  Confirm the exchange visitor has adequate funding for the duration of the exchange visitor program.

  Confirm the exchange visitor will continue working towards the original exchange visitor program goals and objectives, indicated on their initial DS-2019 Request, in the new department.

  Take the necessary steps in HCM to update the scholar's HCM record (directly or with the assistance of the HR Service Center) to reflect the new department and exchange visitor program information.

  • for position/POI records you do not want terminated
    • Departments that are HRSC-supported:
      • Submit a request to HRSC to update the appointment end date update.
      • Provide the scholar's first and last name, employee ID, POI confirmation, new appointment end date, sponsoring department, and sponsor's position number.
    • Departments that are not HRSC-supported:
      • Update the end date in HCM utilizing the ‘Maintain Person of Interest’ page; or
      • Contact the HRSC for assistance

All DS-2019 requests must be submitted through the MyISSS Departmental Services portal.  

Internal Transfer DS-2019 Request Overview 

  1. Compile the J-1 exchange visitor program details for the program in the new department 
    • If the exchange visitor will be paid by CU Boulder and/or the original offer letter had an end date listed or any other changes have been made to the exchange visitor's position (e.g., salary, title, etc.):
      •   Obtain a fully signed university offer letter including addendums (if applicable) from HR/OFA.
    • Provide the exchange visitor with an updated Exchange Visitor Program Summary (on department letterhead).
    • If the host department/ research institute has an internal export control review process:
    • If the exchange visitor is abroad, the host supervisor must upload ​a letter to support the request to extend the exchange visitor program while the exchange visitor is outside the U.S. Include the following:
      • A statement that the collaboration with CU will continue and that the exchange visitor program goals and objectives will continue to be pursued while the exchange visitor is absent;
      • An explanation of the benefit conferred to CU while the exchange visitor is absent; and
      • A justification for keeping the exchange visitor program active while the exchange visitor is outside the U.S.
         
  2. Initiate the DS-2019 Request (Internal Transfer) e-form group in the MyISSS Departmental Services portal.
    • You will need to enter the scholar’s University/Employee ID and date of birth to link the request to the scholar’s record.
       
  3. To return to an already initiated request, click on “My Current Cases” tile under “Lists” in the Departmental Services portal to access the request.  

DS-2019 Request (Internal Transfer) E-Forms 

A complete DS-2019 Request (Internal Transfer) request requires the submission of 9 individual e-forms. 

  • Complete the New Host Department Information (Internal Transfer) e-form.
    • For internal transfer DS-2019 Requests, this e-form does not have to be approved by ISSS in order to submit the remaining e-forms in the request.
  • If the host supervisor is not full-time CU faculty/staff:
    • Also submit the CU Boulder Supervisor Form (Internal Transfer).
  • Complete the Program Information & Details (Internal Transfer) e-form.
  • Complete the Departmental Administrator: Departmental Responsibilities & Attestation (Internal Transfer) e-form.
    • Upon your submission of the Departmental Administrator: Departmental Responsibilities & Attestation e-form, the scholar will receive an email requesting that they complete the scholar e-forms included in the DS-2019 Request (Internal Transfer). Monitor the status of their submission on their DS-2019 Extension Request (Internal Transfer) e-form group landing page and follow-up if necessary.
      • The exchange visitor must submit the scholar e-forms.
        • The department cannot submit these e-forms on the exchange visitor's behalf as there are attestations that were developed specifically for the exchange visitor.
    • If you would like to email the scholar directly or they indicate they did not receive the MyISSS email, direct them to log into their MyISSS portal, click on Departmental Services on the left navigation, then click on the DS-2019 Request (Internal Transfer) tile. Within the DS-2019 Request (Internal Transfer) screen, instruct them to scroll down and click on the already initiated DS-2019 Request (Internal Transfer) request (not the Start a New Request link).
  • Open the Host Supervisor: Departmental Responsibilities & Attestation (Internal Transfer) e-form, enter the name and email address of the person who will supervise the exchange visitor during the extension period, and submit the e-form.
  • Open the Department Chairperson: Departmental Responsibilities & Attestation (Internal Transfer) e-form, enter the name and email address of your departmental or research institution chairperson, and submit the e-form.
  • Do not initiate the Export Controls Review (Internal Transfer) e-form until all prior required e-forms are in pending or submitted status. For internal transfer DS-2019 requests, ISSS does not need to approve the New Host Department Information e-form for departments to submit the Export Controls Review e-form.
    • The Export Controls Review (Internal Transfer) e-form is pre-populated with the Office of Export Controls (OEC) information. Click on "Submit" to send the e-form to OEC. Typical processing by OEC is 5 to 6 weeks.
    • Departments that have an internal export control review must also upload documentation of the completed internal review in the e-form.

Accessing an Already Initiated Request

To return to an already initiated request, click on “My Current Cases” tile under “Lists” in the Departmental Services portal to access the request. 

  • Do not attempt to access an already initiated request by clicking on the “DS-2019 Request (Internal Transfer)” tile under “Tasks” in the Departmental Services portal, as this may create a duplicate request and the information required to transfer an exchange visitor program to a new department may be spread across multiple requests.
    • This will have to be manually corrected by the department which will slow the processing of the DS-2019 request as all information must be on a singular request.

Upon Completion/Early Departure/Transfer of J-1 Exchange Visitor Program:

  • Departments and scholars are required to report to ISSS when the scholar terminates work, giving us the date of departure from the university if known. Reporting of termination is especially important in regards to the extended stays that can be authorized for exchange visitors.
  • The J-1 exchange visitor scholar must inititate the  End of Program e-form (available in the exchange visitor's MyISSS portal) prior to their DS-2019 end date. The host supervisor will be emailed a copy of the e-form to sign. 
    • Transfers need to be initiated 1 month before the requested transfer-out date.
      • Exchange visitor scholars must complete the Transfer Out (Scholar) e-form (available in the exchange visitor's MyISSS portal) to initiate the SEVIS record transfer.
If you have questions about hiring or supporting international scholars, contact the ISSS advisor assigned to your department or institute.

Search for Advisor By Department, Research Institute, or CU Campus 

MyISSS Departmental Services Portal

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DS-2019 Processing Fee

Departments are charged a nonrefundable $100 fee for ISSS to process the DS-2019/DS-7002 request paperwork, for both new  exchange visitor requests and extensions. The CU Boulder hosting department must pay this fee and cannot be transferred to the exchange visitor.

This fee cannot be charged to a fund 30, 31, 35, 50, 71, 72, 73, 74, 78, 80, or 99 speedtype. Departments can pay this fee by including the department speedtype on the paperwork.