Non-Immigrant Visas
Exchange Visitors J-1
The stated objective of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 is "to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchange." In connection with this objective, the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 and the Immigration and Nationality Act provide nonimmigrant status for persons having a residence in a foreign country which they have no intention of abandoning, who seek to enter the United States temporarily, and who have been selected to participate in an Exchange-Visitor Program designated by the U.S. Department of State. Exchange visitors must establish that they are eligible to receive nonimmigrant visas under the provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act which apply to this category of visa.
In connection with a nonimmigrant exchange visitor (J-1) visa, every applicant must present an original form DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility) from an approved Exchange-Visitor Program Sponsor selecting that person to participate in its Exchange-Visitor Program. 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.
Certain exchange visitors will be required to return to their country of nationality or last residence after completing their stay in the U.S. and to reside and be physically present there for two years before they are eligible to apply for either an immigrant visa or a nonimmigrant visa as a temporary worker (H visa), non-immigrant fiance (K-1) or intracompany transferee (L visa). The U.S. embassy or consular office will determine which J-1 visa applicants are subject to the two-year residence requirement at the time of their application.
Exchange visitors should note that the Embassy is able to issue your exchange visitor's visa at any time as long as the Form DS-2019 remains valid. However, the exchange visitor may not enter the United States earlier than 30 days before the initial program start date. Please consider this date carefully when making travel plans to the U.S. Applicants continuing on an exchange visitor program are not subject to this restriction.
For a list of required application forms and supporting documents, please click here.
When working or studying in the United States temporarily, we want to ensure each nonimmigrant is aware of his/her rights, as well as protections and resources available. To learn more about these, please review the Nonimmigrant Rights, Protections and Resources pamphlet at http://www.travel.state.gov/pdf/Pamphlet-Order.pdf