However, there are many risks associated with this process. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message. The order of these steps and how you complete them may vary by U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The objective of the Exchange Visitor Program is to increase mutual understanding between the citizens of the U.S. and the Exchange Visitors’ countries. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) on the basis of a petition filed by the U.S. sponsor. U.S. Exchange Visitor (J-1) non-immigrant visas are for individuals approved to participate in work and study-based exchange visitor programs. Two-year Home-country Physical Presence Requirement Conditions - An exchange visitor is subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement if the following conditions exist: Restrictions - If you are subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement, you must return to your home country for a cumulative total period of at least two years before you can do any of the following: Waiver of Two Year Home-Country Physical Presence Requirement - If you are not able to fulfill the home country presence requirement, you may apply for a waiver. A consular officer will interview you to determine your qualifications for an exchange visitor visa, and may request additional documents, such as evidence of: Evidence of your employment and/or your family ties may be sufficient to show the purpose of your travel and your intent to return to your home country. Failure to depart the United States on time may also result in you being ineligible for visas in the future. After you are admitted to the United States by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials in visitor (B) visa status, you must separately apply to U.S. Responsible officers may also authorize J-1 students for a maximum of 18 months (or, for Ph.D. students, a maximum of 36 months) of practical training during or immediately after their studies. Depending on the particular category chosen, a visa obtained under the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program will allow a foreign national to work, train, or travel legally whilst experiencing life in the United States. The Department of State (DOS) administers exchange visitor programs and designates the sponsors. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. A J-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa issued by the United States to research scholars, professors and exchange visitors participating in programs that promote cultural exchange, especially to obtain medical or business training within the U.S. All applicants must meet eligibility criteria, English language requirements, and be sponsored either by a university, private sector or government program. The 2009 Skills List applies to exchange visitors who receive J-1 visa on or after June 28, 2009. The J-1 exchange visitor visa is for educational and cultural exchange programs designated by the Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The Exchange Visitor (J) non-immigrant visa category allows fostering mutual understanding between the people of the U.S. and the people of other countries through educational and cultural exchanges. The exchange visitor (J) nonimmigrant visa category for persons who are approved to participate in exchange visitor programs in the United States. Responsible officers may authorize other J-1 students for part-time on-campus employment according to the terms of a scholarship, fellowship, assistantship, or off-campus employment based on serious, urgent, unforeseen economic circumstances. Official Website of the Department of Homeland Security, USCIS Response to Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19), 1.0 Why Employers Must Verify Employment Authorization and Identity of New Employees, 6.0 Evidence of Status for Certain Categories, 6.6 H-2A Temporary Agricultural Worker Program, 6.7 Extensions of Stay for Other Nonimmigrant Categories, 7.0 Rules for Continuing Employment and Other Special Rules, 8.0 Correcting Errors or Missing Information on Form I-9, 10.0 Unlawful Discrimination and Penalties for Prohibited Practices, 11.0 Instructions for Agricultural Recruiters and Referrers for a Fee, 12.0 Acceptable Documents for Verifying Employment Authorization and Identity, 13.0 Some Questions You May Have About Form I-9, Summer work/travel: Australia and New Zealand, Intern program (Sciences, engineering, architecture, mathematics, and industrial occupations). Select Waiver of the Exchange Visitor Two-Year Home-Country Physical Presence Requirement to learn more about this requirement and how to request a waiver. Their responsible officer must authorize employment in writing for practical training. A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. Unless canceled or revoked, a visa is valid until its expiration date. U.S. Exchange visitor (J) visas are nonimmigrant visas for individuals approved to participate in exchange visitor programs in the United States. For more information about these categories and their employment authorization, contact the responsible officer whose name and telephone number are on the employee’s Form DS-2019 or go to the DOS website at exchanges.state.gov. Ink-free, digital fingerprint scans are taken as part of the application process. Review Visa Denials to learn more. If the Exchange Visitor does not attend the visa check-in appointment within 30 days of the program start date listed on the DS-2019, the Department of Homeland Security will terminate his/her J-1 status and the Exchange Visitor will not be eligible to enter the US. Attempting to obtain a visa by the willful misrepresentation of a material fact, or fraud, may result in the permanent refusal of a visa or denial of entry into the United States. A .gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States. Dependents of a J-1 exchange visitor are classified as J-2 nonimmigrants and are only authorized to work if we have issued an EAD to them. Is that country still on the 2009 Skills … Review Visa Denials for detailed information about visa ineligibilities. This article provides a J1 visa overview of all of the qualifying J1 programs. K-1 Fiancée Fiancé Visa; B-1 Business Visa; В-2 Tourist Visa; C-1 Transit Visa; F-1 Student Visa; J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa; H-1B Work Visa; ESTA; Visa Waiver; Arrival Departure Record Form I-94; Citizenship. The U.S. Department of State plays the primary role in administering the J-1 exchange visitor program, so the first step in obtaining a J-1 visa is to submit a Form DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status, (formerly known as an IAP-66). Review Visa Denials and Ineligibilities and Waivers: Laws to learn more. Official websites use .gov After your visa interview, the consular officer may determine that your application requires further administrative processing. They are usually taken during your interview, but this varies based on location. There are several steps to apply for a visa. Customer Service Statement. This requirement under immigration law is based on Section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Visit the Department of State J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program website for a list of sponsors and contact one of their Irish partner agencies. Your minor children are permitted to attend school while in the United States on J-2 visas and are not required to obtain. If you have a valid visa in your expired passport, do not remove it from your expired passport. The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program (J-1 Visa Program) currently includes 14 different exchange program categories. Find a U.S. Embassy or Consulate After the visa is approved, you may need to pay a visa issuance fee (if applicable to your nationality), and make arrangements for the return of the passport and visa to you. The J visa covers a wide range of category of visitors including physicians, university professors and scholars, professional interns, students, au pairs, camp counselors, and summer work/travel visitors. Degree Student, Student Non-degree) for more than 6 months are subject to the 12-month bar. Each category is used for different purposes and valid for varying lengths of time. U.S. DEPARTMENT of STATE — BUREAU of CONSULAR AFFAIRS, International Visitor (Dept. Select Temporary Worker Visas to learn more. This means you will be required to return to your home country for two years at the end of your exchange visitor program. You may reapply if you believe you have additional evidence of your qualifications for an exchange visitor (J) visa, or you believe your circumstances have changed. DOS-designated program sponsors issue and endorse Form DS-2019, which indicates the type of work an exchange visitor is authorized to perform. The J1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa for foreign nationals coming to the United States to participate in work-and-study-based exchange visitor programs. Please consult the instructions on the embassy or consulate website. If the J-1 exchange visitor transfers to a different program or changes their sponsor, their Form DS-2019 must indicate the new program or sponsor. A visa only allows a foreign citizen to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry (generally an airport) and request permission to enter the United States. Participants are integral to the success of the program. High school or secondary school students and international visitors are not authorized to work. The J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program (J-1 Visa Program) currently includes 13 different exchange program categories. There are various types of programs that allows to work, study, teach, train, research, etc. U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country. What Is J1 Training The exchange visitor J-1 non-immigrant visa category is provided for people who are approved to participate in the exchange visitor programs in the U.S. All participants are granted this visa under the rules and regulations of U.S. immigration law. If you want to enter earlier than 30 days, you must separately apply and qualify for a visitor (B) visa. Additional information to maintain exchange visitor status is on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement SEVP website under Maintaining Your Immigration Status While a Student or Exchange Visitor. Only J-1 exchange visitors may use this form when employment is part of their program. The Exchange Visitor (J-1) Program was established by the U.S. Government to allow scholars from other countries to come to the U.S. to participate in educational and cultural programs. Depending on the particular category chosen, a visa obtained under the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program will allow a foreign national to work, train, or travel legally whilst experiencing life in the United States. You may use your valid visa in your expired passport along with a new valid passport for travel and admission to the United States.