J-1 exchange visitor visa applicants will now be affected by the same pause on interviews for foreign college students on F-1 visas, following Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s order to US embassies to cease scheduling student visa interviews. The J-1 visa addition will affect thousands of au pairs and summer employees who already have their interviews scheduled in hopes of starting jobs this summer.
According to Au Pair in America director Jean Quinn, 40% of the organization’s au pairs are still pending visa interviews prior to their roles beginning this summer, which could affect military families, first responders, and working parents in the US.
Concerns about Potential Backlogs and Ripple Effects
According to employers, these delays could cause a backlog of visa interviews even if the freeze is lifted, as applicants will be racing for new appointments. The pause on J-1 and F-1 visa interviews may also affect appointments for other employment-based visas, including H-1B visas.
A spokesperson for the State Department stated that student and exchange visitor visa applicants could continue to apply, and those without appointments should continue to monitor availability, but did not provide an anticipated timeline for lifting the interview freeze.
Contact an Immigration Lawyer Today
Reeves Immigration Law Group has decades of experience in handling visa applications and has successfully handled some of the most complex cases. Our team of immigration attorneys understand your concerns and will work with you to provide a personalized approach to meet your immigration needs.
Contact us today to speak with one of our immigration attorneys regarding recent legislative changes, and for help with setting up your case for success.
