How to Apply for a J1 Visa
- Find a J Sponsor. When applying for a J1 visa, you will need to find a designated sponsor to accept you into their program.
- 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 ...
- Pay Your Fees. ...
- Interview with a U.S. ...
- Step 1: Review and Sign Your DS-2019 Form.
- Step 2: Receive Your SEVIS ID.
- Step 3: Complete the DS-160 Online Appplication.
- Step 4: Schedule Your Appointment with the U.S. Embassy/Consulate.
- Step 5: Attend Your U.S. Embassy Interview.
- Step 6: Receive Your Visa.
How to apply for a J-1 visa exchange program?
How To Apply To take part in one of the J-1 Visa programs, locate and contact a designated sponsor. The designated sponsors supervise the application process and are the main point of contact throughout the exchange program process.
What do I need to apply for a J1 visa?
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)
Where can I find a sponsor for 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 is the DS-160 form for a J-1 visa?
The DS-160 is for all temporary visa applicants, including the J-1. Through this form, you will submit an online request for a J-1 visa to travel to the United States for your exchange program. Technically, this is your personal J-1 visa. Each visa applicant, including dependent spouses children (if any), must complete theirs.
Is J1 Visa open for Indian?
However, F-1 and J-1 students travelling from India will be able to travel directly to the United States provided that their academic programs begin August 1, 2021 or later, even after the Presidential Proclamation is in effect.
Can I apply for a J1 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)
Is J1 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 much bank balance is required for us J-1 visa?
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.
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.
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.
Does J-1 visa gets 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 J-1 visa takes?
between 6-10 weeksThe waiting period for a J1 U.S. Visa is usually between 6-10 weeks.
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
Who pays for J visa?
You must pay the fee if you are pursuing a new J-1 program. You will pay your SEVIS fee after you receive your SEVIS ID number and Exchange Visitor Program Number from your school or program sponsor. Pay the $220 fee at least three business days before your visa interview.
How long does it take for J1 visa to be approved?
If you were advised at the interview that a waiver of ineligibility is required before the visa can be issued, you can expect your application to take up to 8 months to process from the date of the interview. Incomplete applications will take longer.
How much does it cost to sponsor a J1 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 do I book a J1 visa appointment?
How to Book Your Visa Interview at the EmbassyStep 1: Complete the DS-160 form online! ( ... Step 2 - Find the embassy nearest to you! ... Step 3 - Pay the non-refundable application fee. ... Step 4 - Schedule your visa appointment! ... Step 5 - Attend Your Visa Interview. ... Step 6 - Pick up your passport with visa.
How do I get a J-1 sponsor?
So you should search for a sponsor only once you have scheduled your first job interview with a company that may hire you, not before. If you don't have any interviews scheduled with a company yet, check the J-1 open jobs listing, apply, and land an interview before going any further with your sponsorship search.
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 is the J-1 Visa?
The J-1 is a work visa that is based on a sponsoring program rather than a sponsoring employer. While technically, most occupations would qualify, here are the most common occupations that J-1 visa holders have:
What is a J-1 waiver?
Waiver for Physicians. 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.
What are some examples of exceptional hardship that might warrant a J-1 waiver?
Here are some examples of exceptional hardship that might warrant a J-1 waiver: A loss of employment that would result in hardship. A loss of access to needed healthcare. Economic hardship. Psychological hardship. Hardship involving your spouse such as interruption of education or employment.
What is a J-1 exchange visitor?
The J-1 exchange visitor program involves three parties: the participant (you), the sponsoring organization, and the United States government. It may also involve a fourth: your home country’s government. Being a temporary visa, the application process requires every applicant to complete a DS-160 nonimmigrant visa application.
What is a J-1 program?
A J-1 program organization is any private or public entity approved by the DOS to act as an exchange program sponsor. There are many of them offering different categories of programs, so you will need to choose the one that relates to your intended program.
Who pays SEVIS I-901?
The SEVIS I-901 fee is paid to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Some sponsoring organizations include it as part of their program fees while others keep it as a separate payment. You will be informed by your sponsor if you are to pay it separately. If your sponsor has made the payment on your behalf, they will need to provide you with a receipt for the payment as it will be asked for during your interview.
Do J-1 visas require fees?
The only exception is if your program is going to be funded by the U.S. government, your country’s government, or an organization. As part of your application process, you may be asked to provide proof that you have the capacity to pay the fees and your general financial needs throughout your stay.
How old do you have to be to get a J1 visa?
Applicants ages 14 to 79 are required to interview at a US Embassy or Consulate. J1 visa applicants should submit their visa application early, since the wait time for a visa interview appointment can take a while.
What test do you need to take to get a J1 visa?
There are different J1 visa eligibility criteria depending on the program, but all programs require that the participant fulfill an English Language proficiency test such as TOFEL, IBT, IELTS, PTE, TOEIC, CAE, or CPE.
How long is a visa application valid for?
There is no fee to change an appointment and visa application fees are valid for one year in the country where the fee was paid. The purpose of your intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under U.S. immigration law.
When did Biden suspend travel to India?
On April 30, President Biden signed Presidential Proclamation 10199 suspending most nonimmigrant travel from India. In light of the travel suspension and due to the current pandemic situation in India, most other routine nonimmigrant visa and VAC appointments at U.S. Embassy New Delhi and the consulates in Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, ...
What determines what type of visa is required?
The purpose of your intended travel and other facts will determine what type of visa is required under U.S. immigration law. As a visa applicant, you will need to establish that you meet all requirements to receive the category of visa for which you are applying.
How to request an expedited appointment?
How to Request an Expedited Appointment: Applicants can request an expedited appointment through our online appointment system at https://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/expedited-appointment.html. You must already have a confirmed interview appointment date in order to request an expedited appointment. If your expedited appointment request is approved, you will be notified with instructions via email. You should not cancel your existing appointment unless you receive a confirmation that your request for an expedited appointment has been approved. If you have not yet received an approval or denial, your request is still under consideration.
How to prepare for an interview?
Prepare for your interview by being able to clearly and concisely describe your intentions.
Is there a drop box for visa renewal in India?
Drop Box Appointments: Consular sections across India are now accepting a limited number of drop box applications for renewals of H, L, C1/D, O, I, F, M, and J visas at our Visa Application Centers. Please visit our website to determine whether you are eligible for drop box processing and schedule an appointment for document drop-off. A list of drop-off locations is available on our website.
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.
What Is The J-1 Visa?
How to Get A J-1 Visa Waiver
- There are several paths that lead to a J-1 visa waiver. Some are relatively simple while others are more complex. Work with your immigration attorney to determine which way is best for your situation. However, it is usually not advised to pursue a waiver through more than one avenue at a time, as that may seem disingenuine to the USCIS and the Waiver Review Division (WRD). Firs…
J-1 Waiver Timeline India – No Objection Certificates
- When it comes to non-medical J-1 waivers you need to get a No Objection certificate from a few different offices. First, from the regional passport office here the passport was originally issues. The second, is the Home Department of State in India in which you belong to and the last is the Department of Education, Ministry of Human Resource Develo...
Processing Estimates Recap
- Here are estimates provided by the Department of State for normal processing: 1. No Objection– six to eight weeks 2. State Dept. of Health– four to six weeks 3. Exceptional Hardship– three to four months 4. Fear of Persecution– three to four months 5. Advisory Opinions- four to six weeks 6. Interested Gov. Agency- four to eight weeks
Verifying The Two-Year Home Residency Requirement
- One of the major components of the J-1 waiver process is verification of your two-year home residency requirement. Prior to adjudicating your application the USCIS officer will not assume that you are exempt from the home residence requirement just because you’ve filed a waiver. If they find that you are indeed subject to this requirement after checking your records, and you ha…
J-1 Waiver Fee
- Based on the DOS regulations, regardless which type of waiver you request, the cost for processing is the same. Lawyer fees, however, may vary from one law firm to another.