J-1 Student Exchange Visitors

The J-1 Student Exchange Visitors visa allows qualified people to visit the U.S. to participate in approved work-and-study-based programs. The programs encourage sharing skills and knowledge among different individuals and groups involved in education, science, and arts.

Additionally, the J-1 visa allows visitors to teach, instruct, study, observe, research, consult, conduct lectures, demonstrate special skills, and receive graduate medical education or training throughout the programs.

J-1 nonimmigrants must be sponsored by an exchange program designated by the U.S. Department of State. As the government organization that handles the J-1 exchange visitor program, the Department of State typically assigns public and private organizations to sponsor exchange visitors.

Am I Eligible to Apply for a J-1 Visa?

You may be eligible to apply for a J-1 visa if you are one of the following:

• Professor
• Research assistant
• Scholar
• Teacher
• Student
• Trainee
• Specialist
• Nanny or au pair
• Camp counselor

How Can I Apply for a J-1 Visa?

You can apply for a J-1 visa by following these steps:

• Step 1: Coordinate and cooperate with your sponsoring agency.
• Step 2: Submit the necessary documents to be issued a Form DS-2019. The Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) of your sponsoring agency has the authority to provide you with this form. The RO or ARO will tell you what documents you need to compile.
• Step 3: Apply for a J-1 visa via the U.S. Department of State at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your country. Submit a Form DS-2019. The waiting time for an interview appointment may vary based on visa category, season, and location, so it is best to submit your visa application as early as possible.
• Step 4: Attend your interview at the designated date, time, and location. An interview is required for people aged 14 to 79 but not for people younger than 14 or older than 79. After your interview, wait for an update on your J-1 visa approval.
• Step 5: After you get your J-1 visa, you will be registered in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). You are required to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee (except in certain cases – consult your exchange visitor program sponsor). You can learn more about SEVIS and the SEVIS I-901 Fee by visiting the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) website.

Take note that you cannot enter the U.S. as a J-1 nonimmigrant more than 30 days before the start of your program.

What Is Form DS-2019?

Form DS-2019 is the primary document used in managing the exchange visitor program. It is currently called the Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status, previously known as the IAP-66.

A sponsoring agency issues the DS-2019. This form allows potential exchange visitors like you to undergo an interview at a U.S embassy or consulate to get a J-1 visa to enter the U.S. and participate in an approved program.

The DS-2019 is used to identify you as an exchange visitor and your designated sponsor. It contains the following important information about your exchange visitor program:

• Start and end date of the approved program
• Short description of the exchange program
• Category of exchange
• Cost estimate of the approved program

Who Will Decide if My J-1 Visa Application Gets Approved?

The Consular Officers at the U.S. embassies and consulates will decide if your J-1 visa gets approved or not. Their official approval is necessary even if you have already been accepted to an exchange visitor program and have received a Form DS-2019 by your sponsoring agency.

Can I Work in the U.S. If I Have a J-1 Visa?

It depends. The specific terms of your exchange program determine whether or not you are allowed to work in the U.S. Some J-1 nonimmigrants are permitted to work by the U.S. government, while others are not.

The best way to know for sure if you can become employed or not during your visit to the U.S. is to ask your sponsoring agency. You can also request information on the limitations that apply to you.

Do I Need a Lawyer to Apply for a J-1 Visa?

You can apply for a J-1 visa on your own. However, you can increase your chances of being issued a J-1 visa if you ask for legal assistance from a lawyer specializing in nonimmigrant visas.

It might be intimidating to compile all documents, fill out the form, and meet other requirements for your J-1 visa application by yourself. However, a skilled immigration attorney can provide legal assistance to make the process smoother and more manageable.

Next Steps

It is a smart, practical choice to request expert help from a lawyer experienced in handling visa matters if you apply for a J-1 visa. We can help if you feel overwhelmed by the legal paperwork and requirements you may encounter during your J-1 visa application.

Our attorneys have been handling visa-related cases for almost 40 years, so rest assured that we can help you achieve your goal of becoming an exchange visitor in the U.S. Take the first step to getting a J-1 visa by reaching out to our legal team.