Your Immigration Link to the World

The J-1, also known as the Exchange Visitor Visa, is issued to persons who will be participating in an education or cultural exchange program.  Participants are expected to return to their home countries when they complete their programs.

You must first apply, meet the requirements, and be accepted for one of the Exchange Visitor Program categories through a designated sponsoring organization before you can apply at a US Embassy or Consulate.  Once you are accepted, the sponsor will provide you with the necessary information and documents when you apply for the visa.  The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) acts as the bridge for varied government organizations that have an interest in information on foreign students.  SEVP monitors the J category students as well as the other student related visas (F and M).  Additionally, SEVP uses web-based technology, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), to track and monitor schools and programs, students, exchange visitors and their dependents throughout the duration of approved participation within the U.S. education system.

Spouses and Child(ren)
Spouses and/or children under the age of 21 who wish to accompany the primary exchange visitor (J) visa holder for the duration of his/her stay also require exchange visitor visas.  The application procedure is the same as for the primary applicant.  The sponsor must approve of the DS-2019 form in order for the spouse and/or children to travel at the same time with the primary applicant.  Spouses and/or children may only work in the US if they filed From I-765, the application for the Employment Authorization ("work permit" card).  However, the spouse and/or children may study in the US without the need for an F-1 student visa.

Two Year Home country Physical Presence (Foreign Residence) Requirement
When an applicant agrees to participate in an Exchange Visitor Program, the J-1 visa holder will be subject to the two-year home-country physical presence (foreign residence) requirement.  This means that you will be required to return to your home country for two years at the end of your exchange visitor program.  The foreign residence requirement is mandatory if the following situations occur:

1. Government funded Exchange Program - The program in which the exchange visitor was participating was financed in part or in whole directly or indirectly by the U.S. government or the government of the exchange visitor's nationality or last residence.
   
   
2. Graduate Medical Education or Training - The exchange visitor entered the U.S. to receive graduate medical education or training.
   
   
3. Specialized Knowledge or Skill (Skills List) - The exchange visitor is a national or permanent resident of a country which has deemed the field of specialized knowledge or skill necessary to the development of the country, as shown on the Exchange Visitor Skills list. 
   

J-Waiver of Foreign Residence Requirement
A J-1 Exchange Visitor subject to the two-year foreign residence requirement cannot change his/her status to that of H, L, K, or lawful permanent resident (LPR) until s/he has returned to his/her home country for at least two years or received a waiver of that requirement.  There are five waivers available:

1. No Objection Statement;
2. Exceptional Hardship;
3. Persecution;
4. Conrad Program; or
5. Interested Government Agency