J VISAS
J VISAS
Those who enter the United States on J visas are known as “exchange visitors.” This is because J visa holders are students who come to the Untied States to work or train with an organization that has been authorized as an exchange program under the J visa regulations. This is also known as the Exchange Visitor Program.
Basically, the J-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa that allows a non-U.S. citizen to enter into the United States for a variety of interests and for a set period time to conduct their training.
The Exchange Visitor Program categories of people that qualify for a J-1 visa include:
Camp counselor;
Short-term scholar;
Teacher;
College or university student;
Secondary school student;
Nonacademic specialist;
Foreign physician;
Professor or research scholar;
Au pair;
International visitor;
Government visitor;
Bona fide trainee; and
Summer student in a travel or work program.
Qualifying & Applying
As a J-1 visa applicant, you are required to have a foreign residence that you do not plan to abandon, fall within one of the categories above, have sufficient finances to cover your expenses while in the United States, be fluent in English, and have medical insurance on you and any family members that will be accompanying you for accidents and illnesses covering a minimum of $50,000 per accident or illness.
Before you ever complete your application for J-1 visa and submit it to an American Embassy or Consulate, you need to first apply to, meet the requirements of, and be accepted for one of the Exchange Visitor Program categories listed above through an authorized sponsoring organization. Due to post-September 11th changes, you are encouraged submit your application far in advance of when you hope to leave for the United States.
Once you are accepted by a designated sponsor, you must then submit your application to an American Embassy or Consulate. The Nonimmigrant Visa Application is Form DS-156. Along with this application, you will also have to have a SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) generated DS-2019 issued by a designated sponsor and pay the SEVIS fee either by mail or on-line at www.fmjfee.com. In addition, you will have to present a Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application (DS-157), a Contact Information and Work History Form (DS-158), a passport for travel to the United States, and a photograph.
Length of Stay
The length for which a J-1 visa holder may stay differs according to the category in which you fall. For instance, a business or industrial trainee can stay for 18 months, but a student in a summer travel or work program can stay for only 4 months.
As a J visa holders you may apply for extensions or change of status, and you have a 30 day grace period after the day your status as a J-1 visa holder ends to depart the country or have your status changed.
Spouse and Children
The spouse and children of a J-1 visa holder may accompany them to the United States on a J-2 visa. The accompanying spouse and children are subject to the same foreign residency requirement that the J-1 visa holder is subject to. In addition, you must carry medical insurance on any accompanying spouse or child/children covering accidents and illnesses at a minimum of $50,000 per accident or illness.
