J-1 Visa, EXCHANGE STUDENT

The J-1 student visa is issued to an individual who wants to take part in an exchange visitor program in the United States

An overview of J-1 Visa

J-1 Visa is a non-immigrant student visa category reserved for Foreign Nationals who will be participating in an exchange visitor program, commonly called an internship program, in the USA. This student Visa is one among the important visas available for education and cultural exchange programs.

The J-1 Visa holders are known as exchange Visitors, as they are engaging in an established “J exchange Program” pre approved by US department of state. The “J exchange Program” aims at promoting the interchange of Persons, Knowledge and Skills in the areas of Education, Arts and Sciences.

The J-1 visas are of two types;

• The visas that do not have “HRR” (Home Residency Requirement) restriction.
• The visas that contain the "HRR" restriction.

The J1 visa is generally issued to the secondary school and college students, trainees in flight aviation programs, business trainees, primary and secondary school teachers, research scholars, college professors, short-term scholars, medical residents, international visitors, certain specialists, au pairs, camp counselors, and government visitors.

The J1 exchange visitors are usually admitted for the duration of their program. The final decision on how long a J1 status holder can remain in the country is made by the USCIS official at the port of entry or airport.

The J1 status holders who are subject to INA §212(E) can change their status from J1 to F-1 Visa or O1 Visa status, but have to apply from their home country or through a third country.

One can enjoy the following privileges on J-1 visa;

• A J-1 holder can travel in and out of the country (on short trips) or remain in the country continuously till the completion of his/her internship program.
• A J-1 visa holder is able to apply for dependent visas for his/her spouse as well as children.
• The visa holders can participate in employment, if that service is part of their approved program, OR if they receive consent to work from the official program sponsors.
• The J-1 visa holders are also able to apply for and receive work permits ( employment authorization) for accompanying relatives.

Documents required for applying J1 visa:

To apply for visa, the documents required include:

1. Completed USCIS Request Form DS-2019;
2. Three copies of Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status obtained from the sponsor;
3. Records and certificates from previous institutions attended;
4. Proof of financial support. It is essential to show that you have enough funds to cover your tuition and living expenses during the period of your intended study;
5. Completed Form DS-156/DS-157 (nonimmigrant visa application form);
6. Completed Contact Information and Work History for Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant (Form DS-158) with photograph; and
7. Original passport valid for at least six months after your planned date of entry into the United States.

Note: The applicants must submit their forms to the local USCIS field offices, if they are in a lawful status in the US. Otherwise, they must submit their forms to the nearest US Consulate, if they reside outside the US..

In general, the approval of a J1 visa takes 30 days from the date of submission. Depending upon the backlog at the US consulate where the application was submitted, the processing time may take up to two months.

Visa for J1 family members:

The dependents of a J1 exchange visitor receive a J-2 Visa status. This non immigrant Visa status is appropriate for the spouse and unmarried children (below age of 21 years), who wish to accompany the J1 holder to the United States. The dependents must follow the same travel and reentry procedures as the principal J-1 visa holder. They are also authorized to participate in full or part time study, as well as in any employment (with certain limitations) in the country.