J-1 VISA - EXCHANGE VISITOR PROGRAM
US Immigration Attorney - J-1 Visa Advice
Our United States Immigration Lawyers are experienced, ethical, and registered
with AILA (American Immigration Lawyers Association), and they can assist clients
in our offices in Brisbane, Australia, Singapore, Hong Kong, London, UK and Lisbon, Portugal!
Our US Attorney's can advise clients worldwide, with a fast and efficient Consultation by
telephone or skype where they advise you about:
- Visa eligibility
- Information about the visa process
- Assistance with a re-application after a US Visa Denial
- Assistance in applying to a Designated Sponsor for the J-1 Exchange Visitor
Program
- Assistance in applying for a English langauge test and Health Insurance
- Supporting documents showing evidence of Work experience and Qualifications
certificates
- Checklist of documents required and format
- Assistance in completion of USCIS Application forms or petitions
- US Consulate Interview preparation covering common questions and answers
- Visa Processing time guidance
- Exchange Visitor Program fees, USCIS fees and Attorney fees for complete visa
application assistance
Contact VisaConnect's US Immigration Attorney's, in 2023 for
advice and assistance with your J-1 Exchange Visitor Program Visa
application!
J-1 Visa - Overview
The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program is intended for
participants to visit America and connect broadly with Americans, share their
culture, improve their English language abilities, and learn new skills or develop
skills that will help them in their future careers. The US State Department has
designated more than 1,500 for profit, non-profit, or federal, state and local
government entities to conduct private exchange programs. Participants on private
sector programs may teach, study, do research, share their specialized skills or
receive on-the-job training.
More than 300,000 participants from 200 countries and territories travel to the
United States on J-1 visas, each year. In terms of Age and Gender, 86% of
participants are 30 years of age or younger, and 55% are women or girls.
J-1 Visa - Program Categories
There are 15 different categories of participants under the J-1
visa Program:
1. Professors - Promote the exchange of ideas, research and links between
research and academic institutions in the US and foreign countries.
2. Research Scholars - Promote the exchange of research and links between
research and academic institutions in the US and foreign countries.
3. Short-term Scholars - Professors, scholars, and other accomplished
individuals travel on a short-term visit to lecture, observe, consult, train, or
demonstrate special skills at U.S. research and academic institutions, museums, and
libraries.
4. Trainees - Professionals with a degree, professional certificate,
or relevant work experience gain exposure to U.S. culture and receive training in
U.S. business practices through a structured and guided work-based program.
5. Interns - College and university students or recent graduates gain
exposure to U.S. culture as they experience U.S. business practices in their chosen
occupational field.
6. College and University Students - Students study at a U.S. degree
granting post-secondary accredited academic institution, participating in a degree,
non-degree, or student internship program.
7. Teachers - Educators teach full-time at a U.S. accredited primary or
secondary school or in an accredited pre-kindergarten program.
8. Secondary School Students - Secondary school students' study at an
accredited public or private high school and live with an American host family or
at an accredited boarding school.
9. Specialists - Experts in a field of specialized knowledge observe
U.S. institutions and methods of practice and share their knowledge with their U.S.
colleagues.
10. Alien Physicians - Foreign medical graduates pursue graduate medical
education or training at a U.S. accredited school of medicine or scientific
institution, or pursue programs involving observation, consultation, teaching, or
research.
11. Camp Counselors - Post-secondary students, youth workers, teachers or
others with specialized skills interact with and supervise American youth at U.S.
camps.
12. Au Pairs - A young adult lives with a host family for 12 months and
experiences U.S. culture while providing child-care and taking courses at an
accredited U.S. post-secondary institution.
13. Summer Work Travel Program - College and university students at foreign
universities gain first-hand experience as they work in seasonal or temporary
jobs and travel in the United States during their summer.
14. Government Visitors - Distinguished international visitors develop and
strengthen professional and personal relationships with their American counterparts
in U.S. federal, state, or local government agencies.
15. International Visitors - Reserved for State Department-sponsored and
funded exchange participants.
J-1 Visa Eligibility Criteria
J-1 Program Sponsors screen and select their participants
according to the eligibility criteria for each program category. Standard
eligibility criteria for the Sponsor and the Participant are:
- English Language Proficiency - Participants must have sufficient
English language ability to participate in the Program.
- Insurance - Participants and dependents are required to carry medical
insurance at the minimum benefit levels.
- Pre-Arrival Information - Sponsors are required to provide their
participants with information about the program and related matters before they
leave their home countries for the United States.
- Orientation - Sponsors must offer appropriate orientation for all
participants and are encouraged to offer orientation to the participant's
family.
- Monitoring - Sponsors are required to monitor the progress and welfare
of their participants.
- Fees - Participants must pay Program fees, pay a SEVIS I-901 fee to
the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and pay Nonimmigrant visa application
processing fee.
J-1 Application Process
The following steps are required to apply for a J-1
exchange Visitor Program visa:
1. Select one of the 15 Programs
2. Contact a Designated Sponsor - The sponsor will provide the applicant
with specific Program and application requirements.
3. Sponsor selects Participants - Sponsors are responsible for selecting
participants, as well as supporting and monitoring them during their entire
program.
4. Program Fees - Sponsors charge participants program fees. Fees vary from
sponsor to sponsor.
5. Sponsor issues Form DS-2019 - If you are selected into an Exchange
Visitor Program, the Program Sponsor will issue you a Form DS-2019.
6. SEVIS Fee - Pay the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information
System) fee.
7. Visa Application Form DS-160 - Go to the U.S. Department of State website
to fill out an Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form DS- 160 and to pay the
visa application fee. Check the website of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you
plan to apply for instructions on how to pay.
8. Interview - After you pay the visa application fee, schedule your
interview online, Check the website of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where you plan
to apply for instructions on how to schedule the Interview. At the Interview, you
must bring the original Form DS-2019; Form DS-160 confirmation page; passport;
photo; and visa application fee receipt.
9. Visa Decision - The interviewing officer at the US Consulate will inform
you at the end of your interview whether your visa is approved or denied. If
approved, the interviewing officer will tell you when you should expect to receive
your visa.
J-2 Dependent Visa
The J-2 visa is a non-immigrant visa granted to the J-1
applicant's spouse and dependent children. The J-2 conditions are as follows:
- Program Sponsor Approval - The Program Sponsor must approve the spouse
and dependent children accompanying the J-1 Exchange Visitor, and then issue each
accompanying applicant with their own Form DS-2019.
- Employment Authorization - If the J-2 Visa Holder seeks to work, they
must obtain an Employment Authorization document from the Department of Homeland
Security.
- J-2 Limitations - The J-2 Visa Holder is dependent upon the status of
the principal J-1 holder and they are only able to apply for a work permit after
arriving in the United States.