
How to apply for a J1 visa?
How to Apply for a J1 Visa. 1 Step 1. Find a J Sponsor. When applying for a J1 visa, you will need to find a designated sponsor to accept you into their program. Regardless of ... 2 Step 2. Apply for the DS-2019. 3 Step 3. Pay Your Fees. 4 Step 4. Interview with a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
How long can I extend my J1 visa?
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 are the top reasons for a J-1 visa denial?
The following are some of the top reasons for a J-1 visa denial. As a J-1 exchange visitor, you are required to make arrangements for insurance coverage before departing your home country. You need to know and get suitable sickness and accident insurance for you and any J-2 dependents for the duration of your program.
What is the difference between F-1 and J-1 visa?
F-1 and J-1 visa differ quite a lot under the declaration of finances tab. Unlike the J-1 visa, the F-1 visa can have a source of financial support as personal/family funding entirely. The funds can also be a combination of both personal, and external funding such as a scholarship, or a grant.

Why would a J-1 visa be denied?
The most common reasons for denial of an exchange visitor visa are that the consul officer does not believe you intend to return home upon the completion of your program or, if you will be a student, that you have failed to prove you can pay for your education without working.
How long does it take to get a J-1 visa?
six to eight weeksOn average, it takes six to eight weeks to apply for and be approved for a J-1 Visa.
Do J1 visas get denied?
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 do you qualify for a 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.
Does J-1 visa require interview?
Almost every J-1 visa applicant will be required to undergo an interview before their visa can be approved. If an applicant is older than 13 but younger than 80, it will be mandatory.
Can I get a J-1 visa 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.
How do I pass a J-1 visa interview?
J-1 Visa Interview PreparationProof that you can speak English proficiently.Proof that you are qualified for your exchange program.Proof that you can afford to travel to and stay in the United States.Proof that you will return home after the exchange program.
How much bank balance is required for US J-1 visa?
Section 1. J-1 Scholars are required to demonstrate at least $2,000 per month, plus $500 per month for each J-2 dependent to meet J-1 visa status requirements. These funds must be provided for the entire duration of the UCI J-1 program. Any changes to a scholar's funding must be reported to the International Center.
How many times can you get a J-1 visa?
Can I apply for a J-1 visa twice? Yes. The J-1 visa for interns and trainees can be applied for multiple times.
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
How Long Can J-1 visa stay in the US?
Length of Time Business and Industrial Trainees Can Stay in the U.S. on a J-1 Visa. Business and industrial trainees may be issued J-1 visas for a maximum of 18 months. (See 22 C.F.R. § 62.22(k).)
Does J-1 visa allow to work?
Can You Work in the US with a J-1 Visa? Yes, you can! J-1 students are permitted to work while studying, as long as they obtain work authorization. There are certain restrictions, such as only working part time on campus for a maximum of 20 hours per week.
How much does it cost for a J-1 visa?
$160The only J visa applicants who do not have to pay this $160 J-1 visa fee are applicants participating in “official U.S. government-sponsored educational and cultural exchanges” and their dependent children/spouses.
How long can you stay in the US on a J-1 visa?
Length of Time Business and Industrial Trainees Can Stay in the U.S. on a J-1 Visa. Business and industrial trainees may be issued J-1 visas for a maximum of 18 months. (See 22 C.F.R. § 62.22(k).)
How long can I stay in the US after my J-1 visa 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.
Are J-1 visa holders allowed to work?
Yes, you can! J-1 students are permitted to work while studying, as long as they obtain work authorization. There are certain restrictions, such as only working part time on campus for a maximum of 20 hours per week. Students are permitted to work full time during academic breaks.
Step 1. Find A J Sponsor
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, ma...
Step 2. Apply For The DS-2019
Once you have applied and been approved by a designated sponsor organization, the next step is to submit the DS-2019 Form, also known as the “Certi...
Step 3. Pay Your Fees
You will be required to pay a SEVIS I-901 fee to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as part of your J-1 visa application - or this fee may a...
Step 4. Interview With A U.S. Embassy Or Consulate
In order to have your J-1 visa application accepted, you will need to have final approval by a consular officer at a US embassy or consulate. Depen...
What are the requirements for a J-1 visa?
The J-1 visa has general requirements for all applicants, including demonstrating English proficiency and having appropriate medical insurance. In addition, each program has specific criteria that applicants must fulfill. Before starting the process, be sure that you meet all the requirements.
How strenuous is the J-1 visa process?
The J-1 visa application process can be very strenuous due to the different documents and parties involved. However, with the help of an expert immigration lawyer, you can simplify this process and improve your approval chances.
What If My J-1 Visa Is Denied?
There are different options to explore if your visa is denied. This will depend on the reason given for the denial. The consular officer should inform you of the reasons, in writing or verbally. If the denial is based on lack of evidence on a particular requirement, simply providing the required item may sometimes change the results.
How to prepare for J-1 visa interview?
Take time to prepare for your J-1 visa interview and ensure you are punctual and professional on the interview date. A consular officer will review your paperwork and also ask you some questions before making the final decision on your application. Make sure you answer all the questions truthfully and confidently.
What are the key elements of a successful visa interview?
Professionalism and punctuality are key elements to your visa interview success. Failure to show up on time for your J-1 interview, wearing inappropriate clothing, or not acting in a professional manner can result in denial.
What is a J-1 visa?
The J-1 classification is a temporary visa issued to foreign nationals who intend to participate in an approved exchange visitor program in the United States. There are various program categories covering different fields such as teaching, lecturing, studying, instructing, conducting research, demonstrating special skills, or observing.
What documents are needed to get a visa?
Be prepared to show supporting evidence for each of the funding sources at your visa interview. Bank statements, loan letters, bank letters, and sponsor letters are some of the documents that can prove that you have sufficient funds or you will continually meet the required amount for your program.
How long does it take to get a J1 visa?
J1 processing time depends on many factors. This includes which host organization is used, consulate processing times, and the time of year you apply. An immigration lawyer with knowledge about your specific situation can provide more information.
What is a J1 visa?
The J1 visa is a great option for people who want to visit the United States. This visa allows you to gain experience by receiving on-the-job training, teaching, or conducting research. The J1 visa allows foreign nationals to visit the United States to participate in programs performing as:
What do you need to show for a J1 visa?
All J1 and J2 visa applicants must show that they intend to return to their home country. Evidence to demonstrate nonimmigrant intent can include property deeds, mortgages, lease agreements, documentation of continued enrollment in school, documentation of future employment offers, or other indications of family or community ties.
How long do you have to stay in the US after J1?
Some J1 participants and their dependents are required to return to their home country for two years after completing their program. Both the participant and their dependents may be subject to this requirement. Additionally, those seeking new visa status may be subject to this requirement. Please note that you can ask for a waiver of this two-year requirement. Here, significant negative impact can be demonstrated. Alternatively, you can show that you would face persecution as a result of this requirement. An immigration lawyer can help you determine if you are subject to the two-year home residence requirement and/or qualify for a waiver.
What is a J1?
The J1 allows foreign nationals to gain experience. You can work in a wide range of fields. The J1 provides an opportunity for foreign nationals to improve their English. You can also learn about American culture and learn relevant career skills.
How many programs are there under the J1 visa?
There are 15 unique programs under the J1 visa.
How many categories are there in the J1 visa?
There are 15 different categories covered by the J1 visa. Some visas are limited to certain nationalities or specified jobs. This is not true for the unique J1 visa.
How to apply for J1 visa?
The application process for the J1 student visa is quite simple and hassle-free. You can easily fill the forms online and schedule an appointment for your visa interview. You can increase the chances of your J1 visa bring approved by providing sufficient evidence that you intend to return your homeland after the student exchange program and proper evidence that you have sufficient funds or sponsors to support your study and stay in the US, says an article on SimpleCitizen, Inc.
What is a J1 visa?
The J1 visa is an exchange visitor non-immigrant visa type , is issued to those who wish to visit the US via a study-based exchange program. The Exchange Visitor Program allows around 300,000 foreign nationals from across 200 countries to engage with and experience US society and culture.
What to do if your visa is denied?
In case you visa gets denied, you can seek advice from a visa expert or immigration lawyer to know whether reapplying for the visa would be a good idea. The lawyer can also help you reapply for the visa and create a strong J1 visa application, with all the mandatory and supporting documents.
What is a J1 student visa?
The J1 student visa enables you to participate in an educational course through an exchange program. It requires the candidate to submit the following documents:
How long can you stay in the US with a J1 visa?
The J1 visa allows you to remain in the US for an additional 30 days after the program you are attending finishes. This is called the “grace period.” If the J1 visa holder does not return to their home country before this period expires, they might not get a J1 visa in future.
Can a J1 visa be denied?
Although J1 visa denials are quite uncommon, they do occur. There are various criteria that the US embassy uses to determine whether a candidate is eligible for the visa. Some of the most common factors that lead to denial of the J1 visa include:
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 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 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.
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 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.
How to change category in DS-2019?
To achieve a change of category, the officer of your program will have to submit a request in writing to the U.S. Department of State. If the request is accepted, you will be issued an updated DS-2019.
How Difficult Is It to Get a J-1 and F-1 Visa Approved?
Generally, the J-1 and F-1 visa is not very difficult to get approved. There are two key points that determine your chances of approval:
What is the difference between a J1 and F1 visa?
The difference between an F1 and a J1 student visa in terms of funding is that a J1 visa requires a large or “substantive” portion of the funding to come from an outside source, such as a university or the government. 50% of the financial support needs to come from outside family/personal savings.
What is a F-1 visa?
A F-1 visa is also a non-immigrant visa issued by the United States to those wishing to pursue full-time education within the United States. Therefore, applicants of the F-1 visa are those who wish to attend University, seminary, language training program, private elementary school or any other academic institution in the US. All applicants must meet eligibility criteria, and English language requirements.
What Are Some Important Points to Remember About the F-1 Visa?
The F-1 visa has a validity period equivalent to the duration of the educational program. A grace period of sixty days is allowed post the end of the program.
How much does it cost to get a visa in the US?
The US State Department charges a Visa application fee for every applicant. Currently, the fee is $160 , however, the fee is subject to change and applicants are advised to check on the US Embassy website prior to their embassy interview for the most up-to-date fee.
How to apply for an F-1 visa?
Upon its fulfillment, you can apply for an F-1 visa by submitting an I-539 Application to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
How long is a passport valid?
Copy of Passport valid upto six months beyond your duration of visit.
