What are the necessary steps to obtain a J1 visa?
Your application must include the following documents:
- Form DS-3035 (with the barcode);
- Copies of every Form DS-2019/IAP 566 that you have received incident to your J-1 status;
- Two self-addressed, stamped legal-size envelopes;
- The application fee ($120 at the time of this writing, plus an additional $930 if you are also required to file Form I-612.) The application fee must be submitted by ...
Is it really that easy to get a J1 visa?
The list provides plenty of scope for flexibility. J1 visas are also quite easy to get approved. The length of stay depends on the type of activity. Those pursuing academic study may get a visa for up to three years, while camp counselors will typically only get a 3-month stay. Extensions are also variable, depending on the category of visa. We ...
Do I need a sponsor to get a J1 visa?
When applying for a J1 visa, you will need to find a designated sponsor to accept you into their program. Regardless of their physical location, many of these sponsoring organizations can place participants throughout the United States. The United Stated Department of State has the official list of designated sponsor organizations here.
What are the requirements for the J1 visa?
- You have a no-objection statement from your country.
- You have a request for work by an interested US federal government agency.
- You may be persecuted if you go back to your country.
- Your US citizen spouse and children may suffer exceptional hardship if you go back.
- You have a request to stay from the Conrad State 30 Program.
Can I apply for J-1 visa while in USA?
(I.N.A. § 101(a)(15)(J), 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(j).) Normally you would be coming from overseas and need to apply for a J-1 visa as your U.S. entry document, but if you are already in the U.S. as a nonimmigrant, you may have the option of changing status without having to return to your home country first.
Do I have to apply for a J-1 visa from my home country?
You can apply for the J-1 Visa only at a U.S. consulate or embassy outside the U.S. If you have secured documents for CICD sponsorship for the J-1 Visa but are unable or unwilling to apply for your visa in your home country, you may be able to do so in another (third) country.
Can you renew a J-1 visa while in US?
J-1 visas may not be renewed inside the United States. Exchange visitors should generally allow 2-8 weeks for processing.
Can I apply for a J-1 visa myself?
When applying for a J1 visa, you will need to submit the following documents to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate: DS-2019 Form, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status. DS-7002 Form, A Training/Internship Placement Plan (for exchange visitor trainees or intern visa applicants)
How long does it take for J-1 visa to be approved?
The J-1 visa processing time for your Form DS-2019 is up to four weeks. The company needs that time to review your application, process your forms, and ship the DS-2019 directly to your home address. That means that the first step of the J-1 visa application process might take around a month.
How hard is it to get a J-1 visa?
J-1 visas are also quite easy to get approved. The length of stay depends on the type of activity. Those pursuing academic study may get a visa for up to three years, while camp counselors will typically only get a 3-month stay. Extensions are also variable, depending on the category of visa.
Can I stay in US while waiting for J-1 waiver?
J-1 Status Expiration While Waiting for Green Card If your J-1 status expires before an immigrant visa number becomes available, you will need to get a J-1 extension or apply to change your status to another nonimmigrant visa in order to continue staying in the U.S. while the green card application is pending.
Can J-1 visa be rejected?
If you have visited the United States before and there were criminal charges levied against you during your visit, or you overstayed your visa for more than 180 days, your J-1 visa application will most likely be denied.
How long can I stay in US after J-1 expires?
a 30 dayGrace Period: J-1 Visa Holders have a 30 day grace period after the end date on their DS-2019 Form. The Grace Period is a benefit of the J-1 status to allow J-1 visa holders time after their status to remain in the US.
Can I apply for J-1 without a sponsor?
Do I need a sponsor? Yes. The State Department designates U.S. government, academic and private sector entities to conduct educational and cultural exchange programs. To participate in the Exchange Visitor Program, foreign nationals must be sponsored by one of the State Department-designated sponsors.
Who qualifies for J-1 visa?
In order to qualify for a J-1 exchange visitor visa, you need to be coming to the U.S. as a student, scholar, trainee, intern, au pair, teacher, professor, research assistant, medical graduate, or international visitor.
How much does it cost to sponsor a J-1 visa?
Fees for New J-1 ApplicationsJ-1 sponsorship fee – 15 business days$2,110Required SEVIS fee (effective June 24, 2019)$220Expedited processing – 5 business days (optional)$800J-2 dependent sponsorship for accompanying family members (if applicable)$750
What is the form for J-1 student visa?
Certificates of eligibility —When applying for a J-1 student visa, students are required to submit Form DS-2019. This form outlines program details and other important information, including a cost breakdown, start and end dates for your program, and options for financial support. F-1 students are required to submit an I-20 form, which contains the same information.
How long can you work in the US with an F-1 visa?
With a F-1 student visa, students can apply to work for up to 12 months in the US in a related field via Optional Practical Training (OPT) after graduation. For STEM degrees, F-1 students can request two additional years of work in their field.
What are the different types of student visas?
The most common types of student visas are a F-1 visa and a J-1 visa. F-1 and J-1 visas are necessary for different types of programs and have different conditions, requirements, and benefits. This is why it is important to understand each type of US student visa in detail before you apply to study in the US.
How to get an interview for a US visa?
For your application to be accepted, you will be interviewed by a consular officer at your local US Embassy or Consulate. You should schedule your appointment as early as you can, as waiting times can vary depending on your country. If you have dependents, you can also schedule an appointment for them to accompany you for your interview.
Do I have to submit an I-20 for F-1?
F-1 students are required to submit an I-20 form, which contains the same information. Post-graduation work and training —J-1 students are eligible for Academic Training (AT) in a field related to their program for up to 18 months after graduation.
Do I have to pay for SEVIS?
Aside from your program fee, there are multiple fees you may need to pay during the application process. One is the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) I-901 fee and it must be paid to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Depending on the program or your sponsor, this fee may or may not be a part of your program fee, so be sure to check with your Responsibility Officer.
How To Apply for a J-1 Visa?
To apply for a J-1 visa, you have to follow the steps listed below, but keep in mind that the order in which you follow the steps will change based on where you are applying from:
How Long Can I Stay With a J-1 Visa?
You can stay with a J-1 visa for up to two or three years. However, the length at which you are allowed to stay in the US under J-1 visa changes depending on what program you applied for.
How Much Does a J-1 Visa Cost?
A J-1 visa costs around $160. However, this fee is not the same for all countries, and will most likely change depending on what category of the J-1 visa you have applied for.
What Is the Two-Year Home Residency Requirement?
A J-1 visa is issued with several conditions attached, one of which is that after your program is over and your visa expires, you have to return to your home country and live for two years. You are subject to this condition if you are a part of a:
How to schedule an appointment for a visa interview?
After you fill in the application form, you must schedule an appointment with your local embassy or consulate, to attend your visa interview – you can find the nearest visa office here. The waiting time to set a date for the interview varies depending on many factors such as the influx of applicants, the staff at hand, the season, and the location.
What do you need to be a J-1?
As an international visitor, you must take part in consultations, observation, research, training, or demonstration of special skills and you must be a recognized individual in a special field.
Can a J-1 visa be used for sponsorship?
The J-1 visa does not have a set cap on how many people can go to the U.S through sponsorship programs. However, it is necessary for anyone who is participating in an exchange program in one of the roles mentioned above.
Program Description
Even after securing an internship, companies may be reluctant to move forward with hosting candidates due to the tedious paperwork requirements and forms to be completed. Approximately 70% of applicants experience delays or problems with the DS-7002. Therefore, we offer our service of completing the DS-7002 (training plan).
J-1 Intern Program Fee
The program fee depends on the length of the internship and the duration of the insurance. There may be additional fees, eg SEVIS Fee, U.S. Embassy fee and, if necessary, a fee for the on-site visit. We also offer an expedited visa service at an additional cost, upon request.
Still questions?
For detailed answers about the terms & conditions, fees, participant & host company requirements in the U.S., please refer to our FAQ’s.
Why is it important to pick up a J-1 visa?
This is why it is advisable to pick up J-1 visa employment that will give you a learning experience and valuable skills in your field of study.
What is the purpose of J-1?
It is very important to note that the primary purpose of the J-1 program for an international student is to study . The opportunity to work is just to help you gain practical experience and supplement your finance. This is to ensure that your job does not affect your course work.
What is an AT visa?
Academic Training (AT) is another J-1 visa employment opportunity. It is a program designed to give international students practical experience in their field of study. The rules surrounding AT vary from school to school, so be sure to ask the program contact for your school.
How many semesters do you need to study for AT?
Most universities require the completion of at least one semester of your study before engaging in AT.
Do international students need to take tests?
Some on-campus employment like teaching assistantship might require international students to take some tests for which you will need to prepare.
Can a J-1 Student Work As Volunteer?
However, you must be sure you can distinguish between unpaid labor and volunteering. Volunteering in the U.S. as a foreign national can be complex and has requirements as laid down by the U.S. Department of Labor. Before you work as a volunteer, make sure you are aware of the regulations guiding the specific volunteering role you want to offer to avoid violating labor and immigration laws. Violating these regulations could result in penalties for you and the organization for unauthorized J-1 visa employment.
How many years of experience do you need to get a J-1 visa?
Alternatively, a J-1 trainee visa is also possible if you have at least 5 years of professional experience in the same field. In general, an age limit of 35 years applies. Additionally, the internship must be directly related to your academic/professional career.
What is the J-1 program?
The J-1 program provides participants and Americans with the opportunity to exchange ideas, opinions, and share experiences to promote relationships between the U.S. citizens and people from other nationalities and cultures. The intercultural component during the stay gives participants the opportunity to experience American culture and interact with society outside of their internship while sharing their own culture with U.S. citizens. This promotes respectful collaborations with diverse cultures and the opportunity to discover difference and similarities.
What happens if your visa is rejected?
If your visa is rejected by the US Embassy, you can recover part of the visa costs, however, some restrictions and condition apply. For further information, please refer to our price list, which is available for download after your free registration in your online account.
How to apply for DS-2019?
In order to apply for a DS-2019 you need an internship offer first , which is checked according to strict criteria. If the internship offer is well received, approved, and all further program points are fulfilled, the DS-2019 is issued. Only after this can you apply for a J-1 visa at the U.S. Embassy.
How much does a consulate charge for a visa?
The U.S. Consulates charge a consular fee for each visa processing. The current fee is $160.00 USD and is due before the interview. This consulate fee is non-refundable.
How long does it take to get a visa?
From our experience, it takes about 8-10 weeks to apply for a visa.
Where to make an appointment for a visa?
Please make an appointment with the consulate, preferably in your home country or country of legal residency.
What is a J1 visa?
A J1 visa is a non-immigrant program-based visa (as opposed to being employer-based, like the H-1B visa). You will apply to a specific government-approved sponsorship program which will provide you with a completed DS-2019. You must file this form with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
What are the requirements for a J1 visa?
In short, the requirements for a J1 visa are: 1 You have to qualify for the program you are applying to according to its criteria 2 You must maintain a foreign residence and have no intention of abandoning it 3 You must be able to finance your whole trip 4 You must have sufficient medical insurance for yourself and your family 5 Must have a good understanding of the English language
What if Your J1 Visa Extension is Denied?
If your J1 visa extension application is denied, you will have to go back to your home country. You have a 30 day grace period from the date of completion indicated on your original DS-2019 to do this. If you stay in the U.S. after this 30 day grace period, you may be regarded as “out of status.” This can have serious consequences if you try to apply for a green card or visa in the future.
How long do you have to stay in the US after DS 2019?
You have a 30 day grace period from the date of completion indicated on your original DS-2019 to do this. If you stay in the U.S. after this 30 day grace period, you may be regarded as “out of status.”. This can have serious consequences if you try to apply for a green card or visa in the future.
How long can you be a J1 professor?
If you are a J1 professor or research scholar, you can be granted a J1 extension of up to 6 months by your program sponsor without requiring the U.S. Department of State’s approval. This can, however, only be granted if the extension is necessary to complete a specific research project or program.
What happens if your visa stamp expires?
If this visa stamp has expired, you must get a new visa before you travel. If you travel on an expired stamp, you will not be allowed back into the U.S. As mentioned above, you have a 30 day grace period after the completion date as indicated on your original DS-2019. This is regarded as a travel grace period.
How can I obtain a green card as a J-1 visa holder?
You can file an immigration petition and J-1 waiver concurrently, file the J-1 waiver first then a petition after it’s approved. Or, file the petition first , and then a J-1 waiver after the petition is granted .
Who should I reach out to if I have concerns regarding my J-1 visa or J-1 waiver?
You should contact your supervisor whose name/phone is listed on Form DS-2019.
What are the J-1 visa waiver supporting documents?
You should submit your application with copies of all DS-2019/IAP 566 forms issued to you as well as your application fee. Others include proof of eligibility under the waiver basis you are applying for (e.g. the No Objection Statement from your home country or proof of persecution).
What is the J-1 visa waiver processing time?
The estimated processing time can be four to eight weeks under recommendation bases like State Public Health Department, Interested U.S. Federal Government Agency, and No Objection Statement. For Persecution and Exceptional Hardship, the processing time ranges from three to four months, so it’s important to plan accordingly and submit your waiver request with enough time to spare.
What is the duration of a J-1 visa program?
However, for professors, scholars, and other specialized professionals, the duration period is usually up to five years.
What are the extra fees required to obtain a J-1 visa?
In order to successfully obtain a J-1 visa, you are responsible for the visa issuance fee if your current country charges U.S. citizens for a similar type of visa. For instance, the United Arab Emirates charges U.S. citizens $52 to obtain a J-1 visa for the UAE.
What do I do if my visa has expired during the program?
However, if you do travel outside the country and your J-1 visa is expired, you need to apply for a new one in your home country before you can reenter the U.S. to finish your program. Keep in communications with your J-1 visa sponsor because it’s their responsibility to assist you in those matters.