Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. Exchange visitor (J) visas are nonimmigrant visas for individuals approved to participate in exchange visitor programs in the United States.
The J-1 Visa provides countless opportunities for international candidates looking to travel and gain experience in the United States. The multifaceted programs enable foreign nationals to come to the U.S. to teach, study, conduct research, demonstrate special skills, or receive on-the-job training for periods ranging from a few weeks to several years. The J-1 Visa is sometimes referred to as a student visa or a visa for exchange students.
Exchange Visitor Visa
Exchange Visitor categories include:
• Au pair and EduCare
• Camp Counselor
• Government Visitor
• Intern
• International Visitor (Dept. of State use)
• Physician
• Professor and Research Scholar
• Short-term Scholar
• Specialist
• Student, college/university
• Student, secondary
• Summer Work Travel
• Teacher
• Trainee
Exchange Visitor Visa (J) is Required
An exchange visitor visa (J) is required to participate in an exchange visitor program in the United States. Foreign nationals may not study after entering on a visitor (B) visa or through the Visa Waiver Program (VWP).
Acceptance in Exchange Visitor Program
• The first step is to apply for and be accepted into an exchange visitor program through a designated sponsoring organization in the United States.
• After the exchange visitor program accepts your participation, you will be registered for the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee, except in certain cases—consult your exchange visitor program sponsor.
How to Apply
There are several steps to apply for a visa. The order of these steps and how you complete them may vary by U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Please consult the instructions on the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website.
• The U.S. Department of State plays the primary role in administering the J-1 exchange visitor program, so the first step in obtaining a J-1 visa is to submit a Form DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status (formerly known as an IAP-66). Your sponsoring agency will provide you this form. You should work closely with the officials at your sponsoring agency who will be assisting you through this process. An official who is authorized to issue Form DS-2019 is known as a responsible officer (RO) or alternate responsible officer (ARO). Your RO or ARO will explain to you what documents are needed in order to be issued a DS-2019.
• After you have obtained a Form DS-2019, you may then apply for a J-1 visa through the U.S. Department of State at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The waiting time for an interview appointment for applicants can vary, so submitting your visa application as early as possible is strongly encouraged—though you may not enter the United States in J-1 status more than 30 days before your program begins.
• Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160—you must: 1) complete the online visa application and 2) print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview.
• Training/Internship Placement Plan, Form DS-7002. All exchange visitor (J visa) trainee or intern visa applicants (based on Box 7 on form) must also present Training/Internship Placement Plan, Form DS-7002 when applying for a visa.
• Photo—You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. Your photo must be in the format explained in the photograph requirements provided at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos.html by the U.S. Department of State.
Schedule an Interview
Interviews are generally required for visa applicants with certain limited exceptions below. Consular officers may require an interview of any visa applicant. If you are age 13 or younger, an interview is generally not required; if you are age 14-79, an interview generally is required—with some exceptions for renewals; and if you are age 80 or older an interview is generally not required.
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.
Wait times for interview appointments vary by location, season, and visa category, so you should apply for your visa early. Review the interview wait time for the location where you will apply.
Employment
Some J-1 nonimmigrants enter the United States specifically to work while others do not. Employment is authorized for J-1 nonimmigrants only under the terms of the exchange program. You should check with your sponsoring agency for more information on any restrictions that may apply to you working in the United States.
Family of J-1 Visa Holders
Your spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age—regardless of nationality—are entitled to J-2 classification. Your spouse and children are entitled to employment authorization—but their income may not be used to support you. To apply for employment authorization as a J-2 nonimmigrant, your spouse or child would file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization.
In Texas, as in all U.S. states, the regulation of J-1 Exchange Visitor Visas is governed by federal law, not state statutes. The J-1 Visa is a nonimmigrant visa available to individuals approved to participate in work-and study-based exchange visitor programs. These programs include a variety of categories such as students, researchers, teachers, interns, and more. To apply for a J-1 Visa, an individual must first be accepted into a program by a designated sponsoring organization and then register with the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), paying the required fee unless exempt. The applicant must obtain a Form DS-2019 from the sponsoring organization and complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application (Form DS-160). If applicable, they must also prepare a Training/Internship Placement Plan (Form DS-7002). An interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate is typically required, with some age-related exceptions. Employment on a J-1 Visa is permitted under the specific terms of the exchange program, and family members may accompany the J-1 Visa holder as J-2 nonimmigrants, with the possibility of applying for their own employment authorization using Form I-765. It is important to apply early due to potential wait times for interview appointments and to consult the U.S. Department of State and the sponsoring organization for detailed guidance throughout the process.
