NON-IMMIGRANT VISAS
J-1 Exchange Visitors
Anyone wishing to take up prearranged
employment, training or research in the United States under programs sponsored
by an educational or other nonprofit institution requires an exchange visitor
(J-1) visa. Persons covered by these programs include post graduate students,
medical students coming to the United States as residents or interns, foreign
scholars sponsored by universities as temporary faculty, and some business
trainees. In addition, there are several exchange visitor programs for young
people, including summer employment programs, intern programs for university
students, and au-pair programs.
The sponsoring institution will provide
applicants with a DS-2019. This must be presented at the time of the interview.
There are additional fees associated with the Student and Exchange Visitor
Information Service (SEVIS).
ENTRY & LENGTH OF STAY
The holder of an exchange visitor J-1 visa may
enter the United States up to 30 days before the designated start date on the DS-2019.
The 30-day limitation does not apply to those returning to continue with the
program. You may also remain for up to 30 days after the completion date on the
DS-2019.
SPOUSES, CHILDREN & PARTNERS
Spouses and/or children under the age of 21 who
wish to accompany or join the principal visa holder in the United States for the
duration of his/her stay require derivative J-2 visas. The application procedure
is the same; separate form DS-2019 will be required for each applicant. If
applying at a later date, a copy of the principal's visa must also be furnished
with the application.
NOTE
DS-2019: Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status. This form cannot be downloaded here.
Contact your exchange visitor program sponsor, who is responsible for entering
the DS 2019 information into SEVIS, and providing the SEVIS generated DS-2019.
ADDITIONAL TRAVELERS
Spouses and/or children who do not intend to reside in the United States with the principal
visa holder, but visit for vacations only, may apply for
visitor (B-2) visas, or if qualified, travel visa free under the
Visa Waiver Program.
Partners and common-law spouses should follow this link for further
information.
J-2 Versus F-1
The spouse and/or children of a J-1 visa holder
may study on a J-2 visa. However if they are qualified, they may apply for the
F-1 visa. If you have school age children, you should refer to the regulations
governing the issuance of F-1 visas.
WORKING ON A J-2 VISA
The spouse of an exchange visitor may not work
in the United States on a derivative J-2 visa unless permission has been
obtained from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). An
application for permission to work can only be made after the J-2 visa holder's
arrival in the United States and will be considered in light of policies then in
effect.
WHAT DO I DO NEXT?
Once you obtain the form DS-2019, Certificate
of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status from your sponsor, you should apply
for the visa. The DS-2019 is not valid for travel unless accompanied by a valid
visa. Read more...
DO YOU HAVE A VALID J-1 VISA?
If you have a valid J-1 visa you may continue
to use it provided you are going to participate in the same exchange visitor
program for which your visa was originally issued. Your visa must still be valid
and you need to carry a valid DS-2019
Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status,, showing the
same exchange visitor program number as the one shown on the visa. If all three
conditions are not met, you will require a new J-1 visa.
DOCTORS OF MEDICINE
In order to perform services as a member of the
medical profession or to receive graduate medical education in the United States,
certain alien physicians are required to pass the National Board of Medical
Examiners (NBME) Parts I and II, or an examination determined to be equivalent.
Read more....
A former exchange visitor may not be issued an
immigrant,
fiancé(e),
temporary worker or
intra-company transferee visa until he/she has resided and been physically
present in the country of his/her nationality or last residence for at least two
years following the termination of exchange visitor status if one or more of the
following conditions applies:
The program was financed in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, by an agency
of the United States government or by the country of exchange visitor's nationality or last residence; or
The exchange visitor was a national or resident of a country which the Secretary
of State has designated as clearly requiring the services of persons engaged in the field of specialized
knowledge or skills in which the alien was engaged during the exchange visitor program (no skills are
listed as being required by Spain); or
The exchange visitor was a physician who entered the United States to receive
medical education or training (except those who participated in a program
involving exclusively teaching research or consultation).
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