How long can you stay in the US on a J-1 visa?
USCIS regulations, however, place some maximum time limits on J-1 visas according to the type of program. Most students may remain in the U.S. for the duration of their programs plus an additional 18 months of practical training employment.
What are the validity periods of the J1 visa types?
The validity periods of the J1 visa types are included below. Au pair, intern, international visitor, secondary school student, and specialist programs are valid for 12 months. (Au pair program may be extended for an additional 6, 9, or 12 months). Camp counselor and summer work travel programs are valid for 4 months.
Is there a 30 day grace period for J1 visa?
Likewise, there is also a 30-day J-1 grace period that starts as soon as your program ends. You can use this time to wrap up affairs, travel in the U.S, etc. However, if you leave the U.S. during this grace period, you will not be admitted back without a new visa.
Can I extend my J-1 visa?
J-1 Visa Extension. For those that are working or studying in the U.S. under a J-1 visa, the time allotted by your visa may not be enough to get everything done before leaving the country. Because of this, the USCIS allows you to get a J-1 visa extension, but only under certain conditions.
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.
Can J-1 be extended beyond 5 years?
J-1 Professors and Researcher Scholars have a 5-year time limit on their stays in this immigration class. DOS does not permit extensions beyond 5 years. J-1 Short-term Scholars have a 6-month time limit on their stays in this immigration class. DOS does not permit extensions beyond 6 months.
How can I stay in US after J-1 visa?
Visitors can transition from the J-1 visa to permanent residence in two different ways. They can also decide whether or not they want to take advantage of consular processing and make a status adjustment. An adjustment of status requires the joint cooperation of the visitor's employer and the visitor.
How can I convert my J-1 visa to green card?
J1 to Green Card Process Options Submit your immigrant petition together with your J1 waiver, along with proof that you did not initially have immigrant intent upon obtaining your J1 visa. Submit your J1 waiver first, wait until it is approved, and then submit your immigrant petition.
Can J-1 visa be converted to H1B?
How to transfer your J1 Visa to an H1B Visa. To transfer your J1 visa to an H1B visa: You must obtain a job offer from a US employer before you can apply. You must go through the H1B visa application process.
What is the 2 year rule for J-1?
Overview. Some exchange visitors with J-1 visas are subject to a two-year home-country physical presence requirement. It requires you to return home for at least two years after your exchange visitor program. This requirement is part of U.S. law, in the Immigration and Nationality Act, Section 212(e).
Can I marry a U.S. citizen on a J-1 visa?
A J-1 Visa holder marrying a U.S. citizen is not uncommon, but you will need to prove your bona fide marriage to United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). One of the main reasons why you may need to change your J-1 status is to marry a United States citizen or permanent resident.
What is J-1 visa rules?
In order to be eligible, participants must be between the ages of 15 and 18.5 by the first day of school. They must not have completed more than 11 years of primary and secondary school (excluding kindergarten), and they must not have previously participated in a secondary school exchange program in the US.
How long do you have to be on a J-1 visa?
Exchange visitors who are teachers, professors, research scholars, or people with specialized skills may be issued J-1 visas for no more than five years, plus 30 days in which to prepare to depart the United States. (See 22 C.F.R. § 62.20 and 22 C.F.R. § 62.24 .)
How long can an intern work in the US?
Interns are eligible for up to 12 months of J-1 status to work with a U.S. employer while in the midst of a degree program in their home country or within one year of graduation. (See 22 C.F.R. § 62.22 (k) .)
How long can a youth worker stay in a summer camp?
Youth workers over the age of 18 coming to serve as counselors in U.S. summer camps may be issued J-1 visas for a maximum of four months. (See 22 C.F.R. § 62.30 .)
How long can you stay in the US for postdoctoral training?
Most students may remain in the U.S. for the duration of their programs plus an additional 18 months of practical training employment. Practical training is any employment directly related to the subject matter of the student's major field of study. Remaining in the U.S. for the additional 18 months of practical training is at the student's discretion. Postdoctoral training is limited to 36 months minus any previously used practical training time. (See 22 C.F.R. § 62.23 .)
How long is practical training?
Practical training is any employment directly related to the subject matter of the student's major field of study. Remaining in the U.S. for the additional 18 months of practical training is at the student's discretion. Postdoctoral training is limited to 36 months minus any previously used practical training time.
What is a J-1 visa?
Let’s start with a brief rundown of the J-1 visa. This nonimmigrant category is for program-based immigration rather than employer-based. A government-approved sponsorship program will provide you with a completed DS-2019 form to be filed with the USCIS.
How to request a J-1 visa waiver?
To request a J-1 visa waiver, you will need to file a DS-3035. The form must be completed with relevant information, which includes your SEVIS number, the date you entered the U.S. under J-1 status, and information about your J-2 dependents (if any). You will also need every DS-2019/IAP-66 ever issued to you as well as supporting evidence to prove that you meet the requirements for the waiver. The J-1 visa waiver filing fee is $120.
What to do if you are seeking a change of category related to your J-1 visa extension?
If you are seeking a change of category related to your J-1 visa extension then you must clearly demonstrate that it is closely related to your original exchange objectives and necessary as the result of extraordinary circumstances.
What is the grace period for J-1?
J-1 Traveling Grace Period. There is a travel grace period which may be important for you to understand. As indicated on DS-2019, there is a grace period that USCIS allows for individuals completing the United States to depart the country.
Can a research scholar stay beyond the validity period?
Compared with various categories of J-1 visa beneficiaries, research scholars have an extension process that is different. Because the J-1 visa covers a wide range of professions, the validity period differs among applicants. While a government visitor, an au pair, or a camp counselor may not stay beyond the validity period for his or her category, a research scholar may do so.
When to extend DS 2019?
Minor rules include the requirements to: Extend your program before the end date stated on your DS-2019 if you need to stay longer than the earlier issued date. Process your program transfer before the end date on your DS-2019. Get the required approval before accepting an honorarium or any other type of payment.
Does DS 2019 expire?
The newly issued DS-2019 will have a new end date and SEVIS will also record the new expiration date. If you have dependents (spouse and/or children) on a J-2 visa, each of your dependents must be issued their own DS-2019.
What are the requirements for a J1 visa?
J1 visa eligibility and requirements vary depending on the exchange visitor program, but some of the general J1 visa requirements may include: 1 English language proficiency 2 Medical insurance
How to get a J1 visa?
To obtain a J1 visa, foreign nationals must apply for and be approved to participate in a J1 visa USA exchange visitor program. There are 14 individual J1 programs within the J1 exchange visitor visa category pertaining to various occupations and functions. This article provides a J1 visa overview of all of the qualifying J1 programs.
How long is a college degree valid?
College and university student programs are valid for 18 months for Bachelor/Master degree, 36 months for Post-Doctoral degree, and 24 months for non-degree.
How long is an Au pair program valid?
(Au pair program may be extended for an additional 6, 9, or 12 months). Camp counselor and summer work travel programs are valid for 4 months.
Can a J1 exchange travel to the US?
Eligible immediate family members may accompany J1 exchange visitors during their stay in the US by obtaining a J-2 visa.
Do you have to be a J1 resident to get a J1 visa?
Some J1 visa USA programs are subject to a home residency requirement, a 2-year home country physical presence. J1 visa participants of the following J1 exchange visitor programs are required to return to their home country at the end of their exchange visitor program under the home residency requirement.
What is the cost of the J-1 visa?
To apply for a J-1 visa it is essential to pay the so-called SEVIS I-901 fee . Its cost also depends on the chosen program:
How many years of work experience do you need to be a Trainee?
The Trainee Program requires a college degree and 1 year of work experience. But they can also apply to those who have 5 years of experience in the work area where they want to do the internship.
How long do you have to leave the US to get an adjustment for a J-1 visa?
If you apply for an adjustment and do not receive it, you must leave the United States before the 30 day grace period for a J-1 visa is up.
How many years of work experience do you need to be a trainee?
Trainees have graduated and have at least one year of applicable work experience. You will also need to enter education or experience you have that is relevant to your placement. If applicable, you will also enter the amount of years of professional work experience you have.
What is the Validity Period for My J-1 Visa?
Your J-1 visa’s validity period is entirely dependent on the program that is sponsoring you. However, there are very few cases in which a J-1 visa holder can stay longer than 7 years. Here are some generalized validity periods based on the more popular programs:
What is the J-1 Visa?
The J-1 visa for exchange visitors is a nonimmigrant visa that is designed around the use of sanctioned programs that act as sponsors instead of employers. Here is a quick list of some programs you can apply for under the J-1:
What is the J-1 Visa Processing Time?
Now that we know what the steps are, we can get a better understanding of what the J-1 visa processing time will be. The DS-2019 can take between 2 and 3 weeks to be processed by the OIS. Making an appointment with the U.S. Consulate or Embassy can have you waiting 2 weeks to over a month depending on how busy the establishment is. If the interview goes favorably, then it will take about 1 week for them to add it to your passport.
What Could Delay My Visa?
To avoid having an unnecessarily long J-1 processing time, there are some things that you should adhere to. For one, you should have an immigration attorney look over the DS-2019 sent by your program in order to ensure that all of the information is complete, correct, and accurate. A failure to do so could result in a petition rejection or even a denial.
What does it mean when a J-1 visa is denied?
If you receive a rejection, that means that there is likely only a simple error or omission that needs to be fixed before refiling the petition. However, if your petition is denied, the USCIS officer did not deem your case worthy of a J-1 visa and you may have to find other means of working in the U.S.
What happens if you overstay your visa?
If you overstay, then you might find yourself “out of status”, which could have serious repercussions on your attempts to get a visa or green card in the future.
How long does it take for a green card to be processed?
Unfortunately, the premium processing service, which would shorten your processing time to just 15 calendar days, is only available for certain visas and green cards that use the I-129 and I-140 forms. Because the J-1 visa requires the DS-2019, it is not eligible for premium processing.
How long does it take to get an exchange visa?
We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Please note that exchange visitors beginning new programs may not enter the United States more than 30 days before their program start date.
How long do you have to stay in your home country for an exchange?
If this requirement applies, you must return to your home country for a cumulative total of two years at the end of your exchange visitor program. You are not prohibited from traveling to the United States but may not benefit from certain employment-based or family-based visas until the foreign residency requirement is satisfied.
How to apply for an exchange visitor visa?
Once you obtain a Form DS-2019 from a Sponsor, you may apply for an exchange visitor visa at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in your country of residence. Also, if you are married, your spouse and any children can apply for an exchange visitor (J-2) visa when you apply, or join you after you are in the United States if the exchange category in which you are participating permits an accompanying spouse and/or dependents (i.e. regulations prohibit an accompanying spouse in the categories of Camp Counselor, Summer Work Travel, Au pair and Secondary School Student). In some cases an individual sponsor’s program will not permit a spouse or dependents to accompany their participants. If you are married and/or have dependents who you wish to bring to the United States with you, inquire about this issue when seeking a sponsor.
Is an exchange visitor visa valid?
Your current Exchange Visitor Visa is ONLY applicable for your current exchange program and under your current program sponsor. Upon completion of your current Exchange Visitor Program, you are expected to depart the United States.
How Long Does My J-1 Visa Last?
J-1 visas vary widely in terms of expiry dates. Each J-1 visa applicant is unique, and the expiry dates will vary depending on your program, contract, and other information. Check the visa in your passport to verify the date of expiry.
What are the benefits of a J-1 visa?
Participants on the J-1 visa are often getting a unique experience by visiting the United States. Some gain unique insight into American culture. Others gain unique training or educational opportunities. Some benefit with lifelong friends and work contacts in the United States. Others benefit from simply having shared their culture with the United States. Benefits and limitation s for J-1 visa holders can be found below.
What is a sponsor visa?
Sponsor: This is the program of which the applicant is a member – like a registered au pair program. Sponsors must meet certain requirements to sponsor J-1 visa applicants.
Where to find DS-160 form?
Step 2) Complete the form DS-160 application online. You can find this form on the U.S. embassy’s website in your country of residence.
Can a foreign government request a J-1 visa?
Certain government agencies may request a visit from a member of a foreign government. The member of the foreign government may receive a J-1 visa.
Is there a cap on the number of J-1 visas awarded?
There’s no cap on the number of J-1 visas the United States awards each year. However, J-1 visas are awarded to those participating in registered exchange programs in the roles mentioned above. You cannot receive a J-1 visa without participating in one of the above programs.
