Exchange Program Visas - J1
The J1 visa is designed for students of all academic levels, trainees,
teachers, professors, research scholars, consultants and other participants
of the exchange programs organized by the U.S. organizations or
government, and also Russian government, institutes and organizations.
In order to qualify for the visa it is necessary to submit:
- DS-2019 form filled out and signed, provided by the U.S. organization
or government agency;
- Documented proof of the financial resources to cover tuition
and living expenses (as in the case of F-1 visas), if the applicant
or a sponsor covers them.
- Adequate academic knowledge and language skills to complete
the program.
- Binding ties to a residence in a foreign country and intent
to leave the U.S. after the program is completed.
If a participant is planning to work in the U.S., the program should
authorize such employment. If the program does not require work
experience in the U.S., work off campus is not permitted.
Section 212 E of the Immigration and Nationality Act requires participants
who were funded in part or in full by government funds to return
home and to reside in their home country for two years upon completion
of the program. Participants of such exchange visitor's programs
are not eligible to receive immigrant, fiance(e), or work visas
until this residency requirement is fulfilled.
On September 11, 2002 the State Department introduced the Interim
Student and Exchange Authentication System (ISEAS), which will monitor
the visa adjudication process of foreign students and exchange visitors
who enter the United States in F, J, or M nonimmigrant visa categories.
According to new legislation, academic institutions and program
sponsors must enroll all visa applicants into the ISEAS database.
F, J, and M visas will not be issued until the Consulate has confirmed
that this data has been deposited. If, at the time of visa application,
data regarding a particular F, M or J visa applicant does not appear
in ISEAS, the applicant will be asked to contact his or her sponsoring
institution or program and advise it of the need to enter the data
into ISEAS. During the first 30 days after implementation of the
new law, the Consulate will accept e-mail confirmation of enrollment
from the program sponsors if the sponsor has not been able to enter
this data into the database. The confirmation should be sent to
vladcons@state.gov.
Beginning January 30, 2003, all forms I-20 issued by academic and
vocational educational institutions, and all form DS-2019 issued
by exchange visitors program sponsors, must be created within the
SEVIS (Student Exchange Visitor Information System) system. SEVIS
will replace ISEAS (Interim Student and Exchange Authentication
System) as the mechanism for electronic verification of prospective
student/exchange visitor status. As of January 30, 2003 educational
institutions and exchange visitor program sponsors will no longer
be able to enter records in ISEAS. However, ISEAS will remain available
to consular employees as a means of verifying both non-SEVIS forms
I-20/DS-2019 issued prior to January 30, 2003, as well as some SEVIS-generated
forms I-20/DS-2019. You should contact your educational institution
for more information.
Please, be aware that United States Department of Homeland Security
regulations state that holders of F, M, or J nonimmigrant visas
will not be admitted to the United States until a date of thirty
days or less prior to the beginning of your program date, or start
date, as given on your Form I-20 (for F and M visas) or DS-2019
(for J visas). An immigration inspector may deny you entry into
the United States if you use this visa earlier than this thirty
days period. Please consider the date carefully when making your
travel plans to the Unites States.
In order to receive an exchange visitor visa (J), it is necessary
to submit an official letter from a local sponsor of the program
listing:
- Brief program description, including who is funding the travel.
- Contact information for the organization submitting the documents.
- List of participants who are applying for a visa under cover
of the letter.
Family Members
Family members (spouse and children) of an exchange visitor may
be issued a J-2 visa to follow the exchange visitor until the program
is completed, if it is authorized by the program. If expenses are
covered from personal funds, proof of necessary financial resources
must be presented to the Consulate.
Back to Foreign Citizen Services
|
