Exchange Programs
This visa category is designed for applicants planning to participate in programs approved by the US Department of State to teach, study, research, demonstrate special skills or receive training, or to participate in a program to receive graduate medical education.
The category also includes programs approved by the US Department of State to place people into firms, institutions and other agencies for on-the-job practical training in specialized fields for periods not exceeding 18 months. Attendance at English language programs and seminars, workshops or short courses directly related to the practical training may be allowed. The J visa also enables visitors to travel for observations appropriate to practical training, to train in US techniques and methodology, to contact American counterparts, and to promote cross-cultural contacts between workers, professionals, researchers and students in the general interest of international exchange. This may include camp counselor, seasonal work such as at ski resorts and summer camps or as au pairs.
Before applying for a visa, you must have been accepted into an approved program. Evidence of your acceptance is the form DS-2019, sent directly to you by the US sponsor and registration in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).
In addition to the above items, you may be asked to present evidence and documents that establish your purpose and qualifications. You may be asked to submit documentation of a residence abroad to which you will return after your visit to the US.
The spouse and minor children (under age 21) of the principal applicant are eligible to apply for visas as dependents (Note: unmarried and de facto marriages are not accepted for US visa purposes). Each dependent must complete a separate application, and submit separate processing and other visa fees.
FOR J1 SUMMER WORK AND TRAVEL VISAS, in addition to the documentation specified in REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, applicant should submit:
A. DS-2019 FORM: which shows that the participant has been accepted in the program.
B. SEVIS FEE: the applicant should present the SEVIS fee receipt, which can be paid as follows:
1. Through the Internet at http://www.fmjfee.com/ using a credit card and filling in the form I-901;
2. Through mail sending the completed form I-901 and a check or a payment order to a bank in the US (payable in American dollars and sent to DHS’ address published in the form I-901);
3. Through third parties such as a school or a sponsor;
4. Through selected sponsors of an exchange program that send group payments;
C. ECONOMIC SOLVENCY: applicant should demonstrate that he or she has enough funds to cover their expenses until the first pay is received.
D. JOB CONTRACT
E. WILBERFORCE PAMPHLET (printed and read) to discuss it with the consular officer during the interview.
F. Every applicant will be requested to prove that he or she is a FULL TIME STUDENT actively pursuing a degree at an accredited academic institution; that he/she will return from the US to continue his or her studies; and that he/she is registered to take classes the following year.
Every applicant must bring the following documents:
1. Letter from the educational institution which he or she attends, that includes the name of the career and the diploma to be obtained, the duration of the career, the quantity of subjects and the registration number of the school with the Ministerio de Educación de la Nación, by which it can be proved that the diploma to be received is an official one. To see a sample of the letter that shows the items to be included, click here.
2. University book with grades (“Libreta Universitaria”).
3. Transcript (certified list of classes and grades).
REGULAR FULL TIME STUDENT actively pursuing a degree at an accredited academic institution - this should be demonstrated during the interview with the consular officer. Each applicant must show that he/she is a constant and responsible student progressing in his/her studies towards graduation.
It cannot be generalized that students with low grades will not get a visa. However, we must emphasize that grades are taken into consideration when determining whether or not a student is progressing towards a degree.
English level: applicants will be required to demonstrate during the interview that they have a minimum level of basic English, or the level of English needed to perform his/her job while in the U.S.
Residency Rules
Many programs under the J-category are supported partially or wholly by government agencies. If they are, or if the applicants are to receive graduate medical education or training regardless of source of finances, a condition for accepting a J-visa prohibits J-visa beneficiaries from applying for immigration to the US and for certain work visas (H and L-visas) until the applicants have resided and been physically present in their own country of nationality or last residence for at least two years. This condition may also apply if the area of study or research is included in a skills list agreed to by the US Department of State and the applicant's government. Before accepting a J-visa, you should inquire if this condition applies.
For persons wishing to participate in medical programs, there may be additional requirements. You can ask about these requirements by writing to the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) located at 3624 Market Street, Level 4, Philadelphia, PA 19104-2685. The telephone number is 1-215-386-5900
For further information on J visas, click here.