J1 Visa Process
- Find a J1 Sponsor
- Apply for the Form DS-2019
- Complete Form DS-160
- Pay fees
- Interview with US Consulate or Embassy
- Request I-94 Card and endorsed DS-2019 form
Full Answer
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 ...
What to do to become a J1 exchange program sponsor?
J1 exchange program sponsors must comply with government regulations, ensure a selection process is in place and appoint a Responsible Officer. What to do to become a J1 exchange program sponsor The United States Department of State welcomes fresh associations to be part of the exchange program sponsors to administer a program.
Is a visa sponsor allowed to terminate a J1 visa?
Yes, sponsors have the ability to terminate a J1 visa and do not need to consult any authorities or government agency prior to doing so. Your only real recourse, should a sponsor decide to terminate your visa, would be to contact the US Department of State, which oversees the program.
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.
How do I get a J-1 sponsorship?
How to Become a J1 Visa Sponsor?Register and obtain a SEVIS User ID.Complete the Designation process and add officials.Submit the Exchange Visitor Program Application form, which is Form DS-3036, for review. ... Submit relevant documents as mentioned in the user manual.Pay the application fee over the internet.More items...•
How much does it cost to sponsor 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
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.
Can an individual sponsor a J-1 visa?
Only State Department-designated sponsors are authorized to issue the Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status (Form DS-2019), which is the basic document to support an application for an exchange visitor visa (J-1 Visa).
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 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.
What companies sponsor J-1 visa?
J-1 Visa Sponsors CaliforniaCapitol One.Novartis.Google.Adobe.Microsoft.Intel.LinkedIn.
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.
Can any company sponsor J-1 visa?
Can a Company Sponsor a J-1 Visa? Yes. However, while companies can become sponsors for a J-1 visa, only a few international companies manage their own J-1 visa programs. Instead, most employers work with third-party sponsoring organizations to host foreign interns.
How long does it take to get a J-1 visa USA?
On average, it takes six to eight weeks to apply for and be approved for a J-1 Visa.
Interested in Becoming a Sponsor?
BridgeUSA is an educational and cultural exchange that provides study and work-type experiences in the United States for foreign nationals in an effort to further the State Department’s public diplomacy goals. The Department welcomes and encourages new organizations to become sponsors of exchange visitor programs.
The Second Step is Application Submission
Submit an application in SEVIS and remit the application fee (identified at §62.17).
The Third Step is Department Review
The Department review is a thorough and complete review of the application and all supporting material. During the review process, the Department may contact the applicant organization requesting additional information or clarification.
How to apply for a sponsor visa J-1?
The first step to the sponsor visa J-1 application is opening an account on SEVIS (Student Exchange Visitor Information System). Through this portal you will find the online application. There, sponsor candidates are required to fill out information about the company, program, and program officers.
Do you need a sponsor for an EVP?
Because the EVP is meant for cultural exchange, rather than as a path to citizenship, participants must secure themselves a J-1 visa before visiting. Having a sponsor is a requirement of this visa. Additionally, sponsors are experts at guiding participants through the proper documentation and application procedures.
Can host companies sponsor interns?
It is also possible for host companies to sponsor interns themselves. If you represent a company that would like to streamline your Exchange Visitor Program, you may be wondering how to sponsor J-1 U.S. visa for foreign interns as a company. We’ll let you in on the basics.
Is the Sponsor Right for You?
Whether you're a prospect ive EVP participant or a host company searching for new J-1 visa sponsoring organizations, we are here to provide an insider look.
How 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: 1 DS-2019 Form, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status 2 DS-7002 Form, A Training/Internship Placement Plan (for exchange visitor trainees or intern visa applicants) 3 Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application 4 A passport valid for travel to the U.S with validity six months after the intended period of stay in the US 5 One 2x2 photograph
How to get a J-1 visa?
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. Depending on where you are located, waiting times to get an appointment can vary so it’s important to schedule early to ensure that you have sufficient time before your program begins.
How much is the nonimmigrant visa processing fee?
Another fee you will be required to pay is the Nonimmigrant Visa Application Processing Fee, which is $160 and can be paid by visiting the Department of State’s Fee for Visa Services. Those participants who are part of a program with the U.S. Government, Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), or a U.S. Government funded educational and cultural exchange program are exempt from the Nonimmigrant Visa Application Processing Fee as part of their J-1 visa application.
Do I have to pay SEVIS fee?
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 already be part of your program fees to your sponsoring organization. It’s important to check with your sponsor to confirm whether it will be paid by you, or for you. If the sponsor pays the SEVIS fee on your behalf, be sure to get a receipt confirming payment.
How to contact J-1 Visa?
If you have any questions regarding your J-1 Visa training program you may contact us via telephone at 703-535-6365 or via e-mail.
How to contact SHRM for emergency J-1?
In the event of an emergency, any J-1 trainee or intern currently sponsored by SHRM or by the former Council for Global Immigration can also utilize SHRM's 24-hour J-1 participant emergency line at 1-888-330-4686. SHRM Exchange Visitor Program Team:
What is an exchange visitor?
The Exchange Visitor Program provides highly educated foreign employees and students the opportunity to visit the United States for a short amount of time to receive on-the-job training and engage in cultural exchange. Programs conducted under the Exchange Visitor Program utilize a nonimmigrant visa type known as the J Visa. SHRM is designated by the U.S. Department of State as a J-1 Visa sponsor for the trainee and intern programs.
What insurance is required for exchange visitors?
federal regulations for the J-1 program. All participants must be covered by an acceptable insurance policy that includes coverage for medical care, medical evacuation and repatriation for the entire duration of their training or internship program. It is the responsibility of the U.S. host organization to provide this insurance or to verify that each of its participants is covered by such insurance coverage that meets or exceeds the following minimum coverage requirements:
Who completes SHRM form?
This form must be completed in full and signed by the J-1 candidate and a representative of the U.S. host organization.
Does SHRM cover J-1?
Below are several insurance options previously used to cover J-1 trainees and interns. These plans are not officially endorsed by SHRM, and host organizations and/or participants should ensure that they select a coverage option that meets the Department of State requirements listed above and that the coverage is valid in all states where the J-1 program will occur.
Does SHRM provide medical insurance for J-1?
SHRM currently does not provide medical insurance for J-1 program participants. If a trainee or intern will not be covered under his or her host organization's or foreign employer's insurance policy, or if the provided coverage does not meet or exceed the U.S. Department of State requirements listed above, the trainee or intern must obtain his or her own insurance (as well as insurance for any dependents).
How many years of experience do you need to be a sponsor?
Potential sponsors also must have over three years of experience working in the field of international exchange. If this is your company’s first time hosting interns, you’re not yet eligible to be a sponsor.
How to advertise an internship?
By advertising an internship on major websites (think sites like Linkedin), more people will learn about your company. Tons of new grads are looking for entry-level positions, so posting about your internship should generate plenty of online traffic.
Can an employer sponsor an intern?
Whether or not employers choose to become a sponsor or work with a 3rd party organization, they will have to meet certain J-1 visa employer requirements to host an intern or trainee. We outline a few of these requirements in the table below.
Can an international intern be a host company?
International interns and trainees can be an asset to any organization. We hope that this article made it clear how to follow rules and regulations to become a J-1 visa host company.
Do you need a visa to do a global internship?
The programs are a convenient option because they do not require anyone to secure a visa (no one is traveling, after all). However, this doesn’t mean that all plans go out the window. At Global Internships, we still require host companies to create a plan for virtual internships. This ensures that all parties have the best experience possible.
Do exchange visitors need insurance?
Exchange visitors in the U.S. must have the proper insurance coverage. We verify that all participants do. If not, we will help them find new coverage.
Can I Hire Someone with a J-1 Visa?
If you’re asking “can I hire someone with a J-1 visa?” The short answer is “yes!”
Interested in Becoming A Sponsor?
- BridgeUSA is an educational and cultural exchange that provides study and work-type experiences in the United States for foreign nationals in an effort to further the State Department’s public diplomacy goals. The Department welcomes and encourages new organizations to become sponsors of exchange visitor programs.
The Second Step Is Application Submission
The Third Step Is Department Review
- The Department review is a thorough and complete review of the application and all supporting material. During the review process, the Department may contact the applicant organization requesting additional information or clarification. The initial review, during non-pandemic times, can take from 4-6 months. It is currently taking longer to review ...
The Final Step Is The Department’s Decision
- Once the review is completed the applicant will either receive a letter of designation from the Department or a letter of denial. If the application is denied, the letter explains the reasons for the denial. Designation decisions are final and not subject to any administrative appeal within the Department. 1. Find out how to administer a program(PDF)