If you are a physician who wishes to waive the two year home residency requirement to obtain permanent residence in the U.S., there are four main programs that you can use:
- Conrad-30 – this program is common and allows for 30 J-1 physician waivers each year
- HHS – The U.S. Health and Human Services may express an interest in your work or if you are serving in an area that is medically underserved.
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: English language proficiency Medical insurance
How long is a J1 visa valid for?
The J1 visa duration depends on the type of J1 visa program the participant chooses. 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.
Can I apply for a J-1 trainee visa twice?
Trainee: A 2-year regulation applies. There is a two-year mandatory standby period in between visas. If you wish to apply for another J-1 Trainee visa, you must wait a period of at least two years between two visas. The same applies if you already had a J-1 Intern visa and want to apply for the J-1 Trainee visa.
Can a J1 exchange visitor apply for a J-2 visa?
Eligible immediate family members may accompany J1 exchange visitors during their stay in the US by obtaining a J-2 visa. There are numerous opportunities for foreign nationals to visit the United States as exchange visitors. Search the State Departments database of sponsors to find a J1 exchange visitor visa program that suits your needs.
Can you have 2 J-1 visas?
Can I apply for two J-1 visas at the same time? We are unable to issue you two consecutive J visas. If you want to participate in two J-1 programs without leaving the United States in between, you should book an appointment for a visa for the first J-1 program.
How many J-1 visas are there per year?
Bringing Cross-Cultural Experiences Home: J-1 Visa by the Numbers. The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program provides opportunities for around 300,000 foreign visitors from 200 countries and territories per year to experience U.S. society and culture and engage with Americans.
How many times can you renew a J-1 visa?
After the initial three-month maximum duration period, eligible individuals can extend their stay for an added six months to complete their designated research or program. Remember the granting of this extension is completely under the discretion of the State Department.
Can I get another J-1 visa if I'm still under the two-year rule requirement from the first one?
When U.S. immigration law allows J-1 visa holders to continue on and apply for another status in the U.S. regardless of the two-year home residencey requirement.
Is J-1 visa easy to get?
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.
How long can you be in J-1 status?
The five year maximum stay for a J-1 research scholar/professor. The five year “clock” begins with the start date on the Form DS-2019 and this status remains available until the end of five years from that date or the date the J-1 program is concluded, whichever is earlier.
Can J-1 visa be converted to green card?
Is it Possible to Transfer from J1 to Green Card Status in the U.S.? Yes, transitioning from a J1 visa to green card status is possible, but not all J1 visa holders will be eligible for a green card. There are a number of problems with attempting to transition from a J1 to a green card.
What is the 2 year rule for J-1?
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 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.
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.
What happens if you lose your J-1 visa?
Lost or stolen U.S. visas cannot be replaced in the United States. For replacement of a visa, you must apply in person at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad. When applying for the replacement of a visa, you will need to provide a written account documenting the loss of your passport and visa.
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.
Does the J-1 visa have an extension?
The program sponsor has a specific officer who is able to determine the applicant’s eligibility through documentation. If the J-1 visa extension has been accepted, the applicant must obtain a new DS-2019 form with a new expiration date. This date will be recorded with SEVIS. If the J-1 visa holder has children or a spouse on J-2 status, the extension will cover them as well.
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.
What employers can access J-1 trainees?
To access J-1 trainees or interns, an employer must either become a State Department-designated sponsor as some large employers like Disney, Exxon Mobil, Ingersoll-Rand and Microsoft have done, or work with a sponsoring organization like Cultural Vistas or CFGI.
Can J-1s work in clerical jobs?
In addition, work duties cannot entail more than 20 percent clerical work or come from staffing firms .
Is there a cap on the number of J-1 visas?
The flexibility of the J-1 compared with other employment visa categories also makes it an enticing option for employers. "There is no cap on the total number of J-1 visas administered each year, as there is for the H-1B and other popular visas," Faucette said. "It's also open to many different occupations and levels of talent, rather than specific specializations or education levels." The application process is also less intensive than for other popular employment visas and doesn't require completing and submitting a labor condition application or immigration petition. Spouses and dependents may join a J-1 visa holder and, in most cases, are also eligible to apply for work authorization after arrival.
Do J-1s need a social security number?
Visa holders and their dependents must have health insurance prior to arrival and for the duration of their visit. If trainees or interns will be paid by a U.S. employer , they will likely need a Social Security number to pay federal, state and local income taxes. Visa holders are generally exempt from paying Medicare, Social Security or federal unemployment taxes, however, so employers are not required to pay any matching contributions.
What is the form I-94?
Form I-94 indicating J-1 nonimmigrant status and Form DS-2019 with the responsible officer’s endorsement.
Does USCIS issue EADs to J-1 exchange visitors?
USCIS does not issue EADs to J-1 exchange visitors.
Can dependents of J-1 exchange visitors work?
Dependents of a J-1 exchange visitor are classified as J-2 nonimmigrants and are only authorized to work if we have issued an EAD to them. A J-2 nonimmigrant’s foreign passport and Form I-94 are not evidence of identity and employment authorization for Form I-9 purposes.
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 J visa?
Exchange visitor (J) visas are nonimmigrant visas for individuals approved to participate in exchange visitor programs in the United States.
How long do you have to be in the US to get a visitor visa?
If you want to enter earlier than 30 days, you must separately apply and qualify for a visitor (B) visa. After you are admitted to the United States by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials in visitor (B) visa status, you must separately apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ...
How long does a passport need to be valid for a visa interview?
Gather and prepare the following required documents before your visa interview: Passport valid for travel to the United States - Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your period of stay in the United States (unless exempt by country-specific agreements ).
Where to schedule a visa interview?
You should schedule an appointment for your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where you live. You may schedule your interview at another U.S. Embassy or Consulate, but be aware that it may be more difficult to qualify for a visa outside of the country where you live.
How long do you have to stay in your home country for an exchange visitor?
When you agree to participate in an Exchange Visitor Program and your program falls under the conditions below, you will be subject to the two-year home-country physical presence (foreign residence) requirement. This means you will be required to return to your home country for two years at the end of your exchange visitor program. This requirement under immigration law is based on Section 212 (e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Can a minor child apply for a J visa?
Your spouse and unmarried, minor children may be able to apply for J-2 visas to accompany or join you at a later date to reside with you during your J program, if permitted on your exchange program category. While SEVIS fee payment is not required, your sponsor must issue them separate DS-2019 Forms, which are required when they apply for their visas, along with a copy of the primary visa holder’s J-1 visa and proof of relationship.
Is a visa in an expired passport still valid?
Unless canceled or revoked, a visa is valid until its expiration date. Therefore, a valid U.S. visa in an expired passport is still valid. If you have a valid visa in your expired passport, do not remove it from your expired passport.
How many J-1 programs are there?
The J-1 program has 14 different program types ( here) with different time limitations for each. Certain categories also have restrictions about starting a new program in J-1 within the last 12 or 24 months. If you don’t violate any of those time restrictions or rules, you can theoretically seek a second J-1 program (new DS-2019). Check with your Program Sponsor for more details, as they will know what your specific circumstances will be and whether you will qualify for a subsequent J-1 program.
How many different types of J-1 programs are there?
The J-1 program has 14 different program types ( here) with different time limitations for each. Certain categories also have restrictions about starting a new program in J-1 within the last 12 or 24 months.
What is the ESTA exemption?
The “ESTA exemption” is solely a permission for nationals of certain countries to travel to the United States without a visa. You’re already in the United States. You don’t need a visa because you’re already here. It doesn’t matter when your J-1 visa expires.
Can a sponsor jump on a visa?
U.S. Sponsors may not be quick to jump and sponsor your visa, regardless of the category you’re applying for. There’s a greater chance of 214 (b) at the consulate when you’ve recently been on a J and are seeking to return.
What is the purpose of J1?
The purpose of the J-1 Intern Visa is to bridge of the gap between academics and professional experiences. Therefore, a J-1 Intern may participate in multiple internship programs. To qualify for a repeat J1 Internship, the Intern must meet the following requirements:
What is the purpose of J-1 training?
While we know the purpose of the J-1 Intern and Trainee visa is to “ enhance the skills and expertise of exchange visitors in their academic or occupation fields through participation in structured and guided work-based training and internships to improve participants’ knowledge of American techniques, methodologies and technology.” (22 CFR 62.22); the general rule for repeat J-1 internships/trainings, the new training cannot duplicate previous training or experience. Second programs need to show advancement in training and cannot have same tasks or be in the same “position”. If the program is not different, at the same host site or contains similar tasks, it would not appear as bonafide training, but potential labor. When drafting a more rigorous training outline, remember to clearly define differences between prior training and the new training.
