J1 Visa
The J-1 Exchange Visitor visa exists to promote the interchange of knowledge, training, and skills in education, arts, and sciences.
The J1 visa is a flexible visa and is also relatively easy to get. In a similar way to student visa applications, a J visa issuing company will issue the form that is then taken to the US Consulate.
J-1 Visa Participants
- Foreign medical graduates or physicians pursuing accredited medical education or training
- Foreign students in exchange programs promoting knowledge in education, arts, or sciences
- Research scholars to teach, conduct research, or observe
- Professors to teach, lecture, perform research, or consult at educational institutions, museums, libraries
- Au pairs that will live with American host family
- Foreign nationals attending business & industry training programs
- Research assistants sponsored by the National Institutue of Health (NIH)
- Camp counselors in U.S. summer camps
- Foreign nationals obtaining further academic qualifications or practical training in a specific area of knowledge
- Potential leaders or experts
J-1 Visa Requirements & Terms
- Travel – may travel in and out of the U.S. , or within the U.S. , as long as J visa until the program is complete
- Employment – you may be able to work if the employment is considered academic training related to the course of study, if it is related to academic funding — on-campus work or an economic necessity.
- Length of stay – generally a J-1 is issued for the duration of the program. The maximum differs depending on the work category (for example, professors & research scholars have a 3-year maximum, while a camp counselor is allowed 3 months). Most are 1-3 years.
- Extensions – allowable up to the maximum allowable period for your category
- Change of Status – you may be eligible to change your status in the U.S. and acquire a work visa such as an H-1 without having to return to your home country as is normally required by the Foreign Residency Requirement (see below)
J-1 Waiver & the Two-Year Foreign Residency Requirement
Some J-1 visas are subject to 212(g) and the recipient must return to his/her home country for a minimum of 2-years before returning to the U.S. on another visa.
Other J-1 visas are not subject to the two year home residency requirement.
The requirements can be either country or industry specific and are listed in the “Skills List” published by the US Department of State in the Federal Register, as contained in this link. http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2009-04-30/pdf/E9-9657.pdf
In certain situations, this 2-year requirement may be waived. Waivers of J-1 visas may be very complex and require the knowledge of an experienced Immigration law firm. We will be happy to advise you.
J-1 Visa Spouses & Children (J2 Visa)
Spouses and unmarried minor children may apply do so, and would hold the J-2 visa. J-2 visa holders are subject to the following:
- May travel in & out, or live continuously in the U.S.
- Study in the U.S.
- Work in the U.S. with proper authorization (may apply for work permit after arrival).
- J-2 status is dependent on primary J-1 visa holder’s status
J-1 Visa Sponsors – Becoming a Designated Program
J-1 visa program compliance can be complex. Our firm has extensive experience assisting in establishing internal controls necessary for initial approval and ongoing compliance.
The general criteria a sponsor of a J-1 program must satisfy include the following:
- Must be a bona fide educational and cultural exchange program
- Detail the selection, placement, orientation, evaluation, and supervision of exchange visitors
- Provide at least 5 exchange visitors per year
- Provide cross-cultural activities for visitors
- Bona fide effort to create “reciprocity” – the participation of U.S. citizens in similar programs
- Sponsor must have U.S. citizenship
- Demonstrate financial ability to maintain the program
- Provide insurance coverage
Trust Velie Law With Your J1 Visa Application
If your J1 Visa Application is important to you, here are four great reasons why you should speak to Velie Law Firm today.
- The care we put into all our applications gives us the highest success rates in the industry.
- Plus you get our “Success Guarantee” — if your first application is not successful, we’ll review and resubmit at no cost.
- You’ll deal directly with our in-house attorneys (no affiliates).
- Our services are flat-rate. You won’t pay one penny more!
* Our approval rate displayed is the average for calendar year 2014. Any result Velie Law Firm might have achieved on behalf of one client in one matter does not necessarily indicate similar results can be obtained for other clients.