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Types of Visa Classes
Exchange Visitor - U.S. Work/Study: J
Description
The exchange visitor program J visa is designed to promote the interchange
of persons, knowledge, and skills in the fields of education, arts,
and sciences. Participants include students at all academic levels;
trainees obtaining on-the-job training with firms, institutions,
and agencies; teachers of primary, secondary, and specialized schools;
professors coming to teach or do research at institutions of higher
learning; research scholars; professional trainees in the medical
and allied fields; and international visitors coming for the purpose
of travel, observation, consultation, research, training, sharing,
or demonstrating specialized knowledge or skills, or participating
in organized people-to people programs.
Qualifications
Before you can apply at the Embassy / Consulate for a J-1 visa you
must apply, meet the requirements, and be accepted for one of the
Exchange Visitor Program categories through a designated sponsoring
organization. If you are accepted as a participant in an exchange
program, the sponsor will provide you with information and documents
necessary to apply for the J-1 visa to enter the United States.
Other Information
Dependents, J:
Spouses and/or unmarried 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 visas. 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
be eligible to apply for visitor (B-2) visas.
Spouses and children may not work in the United States on a derivative
J visa. If seeking employment, the appropriate work visa will be
required.
Application Items
J visa
Documents required:
All required documents for any non-immigrant visa plus:
- Approved DS-2019 from
your U.S. program (Is the data on your DS-2019 correct?); and
- I-901
SEVIS fee receipt.
Supporting
documents:
Financial and any other documents you believe will support
your application: - Finances: credible documentary evidence that you
have enough readily available funds to meet all expenses for the duration of the
exchange. Suggested documents include proof of your relationship to the sponsor
(such as your birth certificate), the sponsor's most recent, original tax forms,
and the sponsor's bankbooks and/or fixed deposit certificates.
- Evidence
establishing that the applicant's stay in the United States will be temporary.
For examples, go to the B-1/B-2 category.
Dependents:
All
required documents for any non-immigrant visa plus:
- For each dependent: An approved DS-2019 from the principal
applicant's U.S. school or program with the dependent's name included;
- Original marriage (spouse) and/or birth certificates (unmarried
children under 21) as applicable; and
- If not applying at the same time as the principal applicant:
A copy of the principal applicant's passport and his/her U.S.
visa. If a copy of the passport is submitted, it should be a legible
and the photo clearly identifiable.
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