Embassy of the United States Athens, Greece

Anyone wishing to take up prearranged employment, training or research in the United States under an officially approved program sponsored by an educational or other nonprofit institution requires an exchange visitor (J-1) visa. Persons covered by these programs include post graduate students, foreign medical graduates seeking to pursue graduate medical education or training, foreign scholars sponsored by universities as temporary faculty, and some business trainees. In addition, there are several exchange visitor programs for young people, including summer employment programs, intern programs for university students, and au-pair programs.

Doctors of Medicine

In order to perform services as a member of the medical profession or to receive graduate medical education in the United States, certain alien physicians are required to pass the National Board of Medical Examiners (NBME) Parts I and II, or an examination determined to be equivalent. More information is available from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates.

Two-Year Home-Country Physical Presence (Foreign Residence) Requirement

A former exchange visitor subject to the two-year-rule may not be issued an immigrant, fiancé (e), intra-company transferee visa until he/she has resided and been physically present in the country of his/her nationality or last residence for at least two years following the termination of exchange visitor status if certain conditions apply.  For further information, including information on obtaining a waiver of the J Visa Two-Year Foreign Residence Requirement, if required, please click on this link http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1296.html.

Applying for the Visa

You are required to obtain from your sponsor the form DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status. The DS-2019 is not valid for travel unless accompanied by a valid visa. Once you have this form, you are required to apply for the visa.

Time to Apply, Entry & Length of Stay

The holder of an exchange visitor J-1 visa may apply for his/her visa at any time as long as the Form DS-2019 remains valid. The holder of an exchange visitor J-1 visa may enter the United States up to 30 days before the designated start date on the DS-2019. The 30 day limitation does not apply to those returning to continue with the program. He or she may remain for up to 30 days after the completion date on the DS-2019.

If you wish to remain longer, you will be required to apply for an adjustment of status or extension of stay from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services having jurisdiction over your place of residence in the United States.

Spouses and Children

For derivative J-2 visa same documents are required with the exception of the SEVIS receipt which is not required.
Applicants who wish to apply for exchange visitor visa must come in person to the U.S. Embassy.  To schedule an appointment, please click here

Documents required for J visa are:

1. A valid passport that has been signed by the applicant and, where applicable,
   
   • Previous passport with previously issued visa or
   • Police report in case of theft or loss of a previous passport with valid visa.  The report may be issued by a local police station or consular office or other foreign authority.
   • If you have ever been arrested and /or have a criminal conviction, have a medical ineligibility, or have been denied entry into or deported from the United States, you will be required to furnish documents relating to your situation in support of your application.
2. The paid duplicate receipt from Piraeus Bank (see step 3).
3. The printed confirmation page with barcode generated by the DS-160 online application form (see step 4).
4. One photograph that meets the required specifications (see step 5). Even if you have successfully uploaded the photo to the DS-160 please bring one with you on the day of your appointment.
5. Original form DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility.
6. Completed by the employer Training/Internship Placement Form DS-7002. This form applies only to applicants who have been accepted for a position as trainees or for internship and they are under J-1 classification.
7. SEVIS I-901 fee receipt.  Please note that applicants for J visas participating in official Department of State or USAID sponsored educational and cultural exchanges (such as Fulbright students), under a G-1, G-2, and G-3 program number found on form DS-2019 are not required to pay the SEVIS fee or the visa application fee.
8. Financial supporting documents, if DS-2019 states Personal Funds, such as bank account books, recent bank letter with account balance etc.
9. 9. Education USA/Fulbright Foundation - Greece Survey Form. Though this is optional please click here for word document or here for  PDF (69.1KB) to download the form.  Present the completed form on the day of your appointment along with the rest of the documents.

Reminder: We always recommend that individuals apply for visas well in advance of their proposed date of travel. No assurances regarding the issuance of visas can be given in advance. Therefore, final travel plans or the purchase of non refundable ticket should not be made until a visa has been issued and you are in receipt of the passport.