For more information:

Waiver of the Exchange Visitor Two-Year Home-Country Physical Presence Requirement (state.gov)

Overview:

  1. What is a J-1 visa?
  2. Benefits of the J-1 visa
  3. What programs are available under the J-1 visa?
  4. What are the requirements for a J-1 visa?
  5. What is the role of the sponsor?
  6. J-1 visa process
  7. What documents are required to get a J-1 visa?
  8. J-1 visa processing time
  9. J-1 visa fees
  10. Special J-1 programs
  11. Two-year home residence requirement
  12. Conclusion

1. What is a J-1 visa?

Foreign citizens can travel to the United States as exchange guests with a J-1 visa. Au pairs, camp counselors, college or university students, government visitors, interns, international visitors, doctors, professors, research scholars, secondary school students, short-term scholars, specialists, summer work travelers, teachers, and trainees, are just a few of the programs in which you can participate as a visitor. The J-1 may be suitable for you, as determined by an immigration attorney.

2. Benefits of a J-1 visa

The U.S. is a place where you can learn. Foreign nationals can get experience through the J-1. You have a lot of career options. Foreign nationals have the chance to enhance their English through J-1. Additionally, you can pick up cultural knowledge of America and useful job skills.

Your dependent spouse and children are eligible to come to the U.S.

The majority of J-1 visa programs enable your spouse and unmarried children under the age of 21 to accompany you with J-2 status. Following the receipt of an Employment Authorization Document, J-2 visa holders are qualified to work. Please be informed that au pairs, camp counselors, high school students, and those traveling for summer employment are not permitted to travel with dependents.

The J-1 visa offers access to a variety of programs and falls under 15 distinct categories. Some visas are only available to people with specific nationalities or occupations. For the special J-1 visa, the opposite is true.

3. What programs are available under the J-1 visa?

There are 15 unique programs under the J-1 visa.

AU PAIRS

For a minimum of a year, au pairs offer childcare while residing with an American family. There is a 12-month extension option. Au pairs are compensated with a stipend and lodging in return for their labor. Additionally, au pairs must finish at least six hours of academic credit at a U.S. university.

To be an au pair, you must:

  • Receive a job offer from a family
  • Be between 18-26 years old
  • Be in good health
  • Have previous childcare experience
  • Speak and understand English
  • Have a secondary school education
  • Pass a police report clearance
  • Have an international driver’s license
  • Was not an au pair previously

CAMP COUNSELOR

The program for camp counselors enables foreigners to serve in summer camps. Housing, food, and compensation are provided for camp counselors. People in this group, such as office employees, chefs, and janitors, are ineligible to work as staff. This program has a four-month maximum duration.

To be a camp counselor, you must:

  • Speak and understand English
  • Have experience with children
  • Be 18+ years old

COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY STUDENT PROGRAM

This choice enables university or college students to take part in an academic program in the U.S. for up to 24 months. The F-1 visa is distinct from this. The main goal of an F-1 is to finish a full-time course study at a recognized institution.

To participate in the student program, you must

  • Obtain sufficient funding
  • Have a signed agreement between the government of the United States and your native country or between American and international educational institutions
  • Be a full-time student

GOVERNMENT VISITORS

This program enables notable foreign guests to visit to enhance ties between nations. Conferences, meetings, and seminars are all options for participants.

To participate in the government visitor program, you must:

  • Be an influential or distinguished person
  • Be selected by a U.S. federal, state, or local government agency

INTERNATIONAL VISITORS

This category is for programs that connect individuals. A year is the maximum duration of the program. Participants get the opportunity to interact, train, and observe American organizations.

To participate in the international visitor program, you must:

  • Be a leader in a “field of specialized knowledge or skill”
  • Be selected by the U.S. Department of State

PHYSICIAN

This program permits foreign physicians to enroll in graduate medical schools in the United States. Additionally, they have the option of receiving training in recognized medical schools in the United States. The program must be centered on observation, consultation, teaching, and/or research rather than patient treatment.

To participate in the physician program, you must:

  • Have a contract signed indicating program acceptance
  • Possess proficiency in written and spoken English
  • Have passed the visa Qualifying Examination, steps I and II of the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination, or Part 1 and II of the National Board of Medical Examiners Examination.
  • The foreign government’s declaration of necessity should be provided. This statement would explain the need of learning U.S. medical techniques. Additionally, it should specify that the foreign national will go back to their place of origin after the program is through.

PROFESSORS AND RESEARCH SCHOLARS

These two programs let researchers from other countries visit the United States. It makes it possible for global thought exchange.

To participate in either program, you must:

  • Not be a candidate for a tenure track position
  • Not have completed a similar program within the last 24 months
  • Not have participated in a J visa program in the previous 12 months unless:
    • You are currently in a J-1 program and are transferring to another institution to continue the program
    • The previous program was less than 6 months
    • The previous program was as a short-term scholar

The main difference between these two programs is the participant’s emphasis

The focus of research scholars is to study, monitor a research activity, or offer advice. However, unless specifically prohibited by the sponsor, research researchers may teach or speak.

Professors place a strong focus on teaching, lecturing, observing, and consulting. Professors may research unless specifically prohibited by the sponsor.

SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENT

This program enables foreign secondary students to enroll in a high school in the United States. Sports and other extracurricular activities are open to students enrolled in this program. They are unable to work full- or part-time. Students must reside with a host family or a boarding school, not with family members.

To participate in the secondary school student program, you must:

  • Be between 15 and 18 years old
  • Not have finished more than 11 years of primary and secondary school (excluding kindergarten)
  • Not have previously participated in a secondary school exchange program
  • Not have attended school in the U.S. on either an F-1 or J-1 status

SHORT-TERM SCHOLAR

Professors and researchers can travel to the United States thanks to the short-term scholar program. The duration of this curriculum is six months. Participants may do a variety of activities during this period, including giving lectures and conducting training,

To participate in the short-term scholar program, you must:

  • Be a professor, researcher, or someone with comparable qualifications

SPECIALIST

Experts may visit the United States for up to a year under this arrangement. To American organizations, the expert may observe, consult, or offer demonstrations.

To participate in the specialist program, you must:

  • Possess expertise in a certain area of knowledge
  • Not occupy a long-term or permanent post of employment in the United States
  • Not take part in another J-1 program (professor, research scholar, short-term scholar, or physician

SUMMER WORK TRAVEL

This program enables full-time international college students to take advantage of short-term employment and travel possibilities. The maximum duration of this curriculum is four months. However, you are eligible for repeated admissions to the program. Jobs must be transient and provide chances for communication with Americans. There are also restrictions on the kinds of occupations that fall under this category. Sponsors for these roles are responsible for assuring the safety of the participants.

To participate in the summer work travel program, you must:

  • Speak English proficiently
  • Be a post-secondary school outside of the United States
  • Completed satisfactorily at least one semester (or equivalent) of post-secondary education
  • Before the entrance, you should already have a job placement (unless you are from a visa waiver country)

TEACHER

This program offers elementary or secondary school teachers the chance to work in the United States. Teachers who have lived outside of the U.S. are eligible to repeat the program. Additionally, they must keep fulfilling the requirements for eligibility.

To participate in the teacher program, you must:

  • Possess enough English language proficiency
  • Satisfy the state licensure standards for the elementary or secondary school
  • Meet requirements establish in your nation to teach in primary or secondary schools
  • Either be employed as a teacher in your own country OR have just earned an advanced degree
  • Have two years of recent, full-time teaching
  • Posses at least two years of teaching or comparable work experience

TRAINEES AND INTERNS

Internships and training programs must be within one of the following categories:

  • Agriculture, forestry, and fishing
  • Arts and Culture
  • Education, social science, library science, counseling, and social services
  • Health-related occupations
  • Hospitality and tourism
  • Information media and communications
  • Management, business, commerce, and finance
  • Public administration and law
  • The sciences, engineering, architecture, mathematics, and industrial occupations

The average training course lasts up to 18 months. However, training programs and internships in the industries of agriculture, hospitality, and tourism might last up to a year. Extensions are rare but do exist.

A foreign national who is enrolled in a planned and supervised work-based internship program in his or her particular academic field and who:

  • Is enrolled full-time at a post-secondary school outside of the U.S.
  • graduated from an institution of higher learning no more than 12 months before the program’s commencement date.

A foreign national taking part in a planned and supervised work-based training program is referred to as a trainee. This must be in their field of employment, and they must either:

  • Five years of work experience in their area outside the U.S.
  • Have a degree from a foreign post-secondary school and one year of prior employment outside the U.S.

4. What are the requirements for the J-1 visa?

These are the requirements for a J-1 visa:

You must be a foreign national with proof of appropriate qualifications.

You need a current passport to be qualified for a J-1 visa. Additionally, you must have proof of your education and/or appropriate job experience.

You must have proof of sufficient financial means to cover your stay in the United States.

All J-1 visa candidates must show they will be able to afford their travel, accommodation, and daily living costs while they are in the country. Certain programs may offer financial assistance. However, J-1 visa holders cannot work in non-J-1 positions.

You must display nonimmigrant intent.

All J-1 and J-2 visa applicants must provide evidence of their intent to return home. Property titles, mortgages, leasing agreements, documentation of continuous participation in school, documentation of potential work offers, or other signs of family or community links can all be used as proof of nonimmigrant intent.

You must not displace an American worker.

This means that the initiative cannot adversely affect American employees’ employment positions. To prevent firms from using these schemes to undercut American chances, this is done. J-1 job should be viewed as an addition to or support for the employer’s present staff instead.

You must have a sponsor.

The program must be approved by a sponsor, who must also help with the hiring of a foreign national. Sponsors will accredit programs that adhere to J-1 program requirements.

5. What is the role of a sponsor?

A sponsor authorizes the program and oversees a foreign employee. Most of the time, a sponsor doesn’t deal directly with the foreign national. A host organization or other third party frequently performs this. The sponsor is responsible for overseeing the third party and ensuring the program’s success. Employing foreign nationals, making sure that the program and the J-1 visa holder uphold their obligations to the program, and updating the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVIS) if there are any changes to the program are some of the responsibilities of the sponsor. The sponsor must also make sure that the position satisfies all requirements for the J-1 visa program.

6. J-1 visa process

A sponsor requires several steps to get. The broad application procedure is given below. Section 7 will talk more about the documents you need to present to your sponsor. Please be advised that the procedure might change according to the sponsor and program. You could get assistance with this form from an immigration attorney.

  • Find a sponsor
  • Apply for Form DS-2019
  • Complete Form DS-160 online
  • Interview with U.S. Consulate or Embassy
  • Request I-94 card (You can apply here) and endorsed DS-2019 Form

7. What documents are required to get a J-1 visa?

Your J-1 may need several papers. A list is provided below but please note that this might not be all-inclusive. Depending on your program or sponsor, you might require certain documentation. You can identify the essential things with the aid of an immigration attorney.

  • Form DS-7002: The Training/Internship Placement Plan is on Form DS-7002 (state.gov). This has to be finished before Form DS-2019 is released. This gives details regarding the program’s precise objectives. It also includes descriptions of the program’s prospective abilities or expertise. Additionally, it should describe the foreign national’s job and the criteria by which they will be judged. Form DS-2019 cannot be downloaded online and must be filled out by the sponsor.
  • Third-party agreement signed
  • A copy of your and any dependent’s biographical pages from their passports
  • A duplicate of your CV a translation of your educational records
  • A copy of the letters confirming employment, including translations
  • Check to cover the application fee
  • Proof of enrollment in a foreign university
  • Confirmation of health insurance
  • Confirmation of financial support or budget
  • Letter of offer from the host organization and program
  • Evidence of sufficient English skills
  • Evidence of sufficient funds

8. J-1 visa processing time

Numerous factors affect how quickly J-1 processes data. The type of host organization chosen, processing timeframes at the consulates, and the time of year you apply are all factors. More information can be found from an immigration attorney who is familiar with your particular circumstance.

9. J-1 visa fees

The J-1 visa application fees were as follows at the time this article was published. These costs are subject to change so make sure you double check:

  • SEVIS Charge: $220 (some sponsors/host groups will reimburse this fee)
  • Visa processing fee: $120
  • Other expenditures, such as those for travel insurance and daily living, differ from one nation to the next and from case to case.

10. J-1 Special Programs

The J-1 visa has several unique programs. These two are only a few examples:

Korean Nationals Internship Program

The Work, English, Study, and Travel (WEST) program was founded by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Here, university students and recent graduates from Korea can learn English for 18 months abroad in the United States. They may also take part in trips and internships. Participants will learn about company processes and procedures thanks to this chance. The host organization may be a for-profit business, educational facility, or workplace.

You must be a citizen of South Korea to be eligible. In addition, you need to obtain approval from South Korea, be enrolled in school or have just graduated from one, show evidence of your financial stability, and not bring any dependents with you.

Irish Nationals Internship Program

For Irish nationals, the Department of State developed the Intern Work and Travel (IWT) Program. This program allows participants to travel and do internships for a whole year. You must be an Irish citizen to be eligible. In addition, you must not have any dependents with you, be enrolled in, or have graduated from university within the preceding 12 months, and have documentation of your financial stability. You are not required to have an authorized internship before being accepted, unlike other programs.

11. Two-Year Home residence requirement

After finishing their program, certain J-1 participants and their dependents are forced to spend two years back home. This requirement may apply to both the participant and their dependents. Additionally, these criteria can apply to people who are applying for new visa status. Note that you have the option to request a waiver of the two-year minimum. An important detrimental effect may be shown here. Alternatively, you might demonstrate that this requirement would subject you to persecution. You can find out if the two-year home residency requirement applies to you and/or if you are eligible for a waiver from it with the aid of an immigration lawyer.

12. Conclusion

In addition to participating in programs as an au pair, camp counselor, student, government visitor, inter, international visitor, physician, professor, research scholar, short-term scholar, specialist, summer work travel, teacher, or trainee, foreign nationals are also permitted to travel to the United States on the J-1 visa. By now you should have a better comprehension of the numerous advantages, prerequisites, and application procedure.