J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa
Description
The J-1 exchange visitor
visa allows persons to enter the United States and participate in an approved
exchange program.
These programs can include the following types of individuals:
- Students
- Professors and research scholars
- Short-term scholars
- Trainees
- Specialists
- Foreign medical graduates
- International and governmental visitors
- Teachers
- Camp counselors/au pairs
Advantages
Processing Time
J-1 visa applications are decided by the consular officers abroad in less
than 30 days.
Duration
J-1 visa duration varies depending on the specific program and can range
from six months to seven years.
Permission to Work in the U.S.
Depending upon the type of program, some exchange visitors are allowed
to work in the U.S. in furtherance of their program. All J-2 visa holders,
dependent spouses, are permitted to apply for work authorization, providing
it is not utilized to support the J-1 visitor.
Requirements
Approved Program
The J-1 applicant must be coming to the U.S in order to participate in
a program whose sponsor has been approved by the U.S. Information Agency.
Program Qualifications
The J-1 visa applicant must demonstrate that he/she is qualified to participate
in the specific J-1 program. Each qualified program maintains separate
criteria for qualification.
Non-immigrant Intent
Each J-1 applicant must demonstrate to the satisfaction of the consular
officer that he or she intends to return to the country of residence upon
conclusion of the authorized J-1 visitor stay.
Limitations
Trainees
- They must be participating in a structured training program.
- The stay is limited to 18 months.
- The exchange visitor must not be recruited to fill a position resulting
in the displacement of a full-time or part-time U.S. employee.
- Employment is limited to on-the-job training rather than gainful employment.
- The sponsor must disclose fees and costs, estimated living expenses, and
a summary of training objectives.
College Students
- The J-1 student must be engaged in a full-time course of study.
- The J-1student must demonstrate adequate financial resources to conduct
and participate in the educational program.
Professors and Research Scholars
- They must be in a temporary appointment.
- They must work only at the authorized institution(s).
Short-Term Scholars
- Their stay is limited to six months with no extensions.
Medical Graduates
- The school should be accredited by the Secretary of Education.
- The physician is a graduate of an accredited medical school, and the sponsoring
medical school assumes responsibility for the medical training.
- The physician makes a commitment to return to his or her country of residence
for a period of two years immediately following the conclusion of the
specific medical skills in that country.
- The physician's home country certifies that there is a need for the specific
medical skills in that country.
- The stay is limited to a maximum period of seven years.
Teachers
- Applicants must be qualified to teach primary or secondary school in their
home country.
- Applicants must possess at least three years of experience.
- Applicants must have good moral character.
- Applicants must be coming to teach full-time.
- The stay is limited to the length of the program, not exceeding three years.
Secondary School Students
- Students must be coming to participate in a full course of study.
- The study period must be at least one, but no more than two academic semesters.
- Employment is not permitted other than occasional babysitting or yard work.
Au Pairs
- The applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 26 years old.
- The applicants must be from a country that maintains current diplomatic
relations with the U.S.
- The applicants must be high school graduates.
- The applicants must be proficient in English.
- The applicant can provide no more than 45 hours of childcare per week or
10 hours of childcare in any given day.
- The stay is limited to one year.
- The applicant is required to enroll in a secondary school for at least
six semester hours.