Going abroad to study, teach or do an internship is a great career opportunity to gain professional experience. But if you’re planning to go to the USA as a foreign national, you’ll need to apply for a visa to enter the country. The J1 visa entitles its holder to stay in the USA for a period ranging from a few weeks to several years, if he or she participates in one of the following exchange programs American J1 visa. First you need to find an approved program to sponsor you. These programs are aimed at different categories of people wishing, for example, to find an internship in the USA, an au pair stay, a language stay or to study in the USA. Here is a non-exhaustive list:
- teacher ;
- au pair in USA ;
- apprentices ;
- a student at an American university;
- medical student;
- Doctor.
At first sight, this kind of procedure may seem like an obstacle course, but if you follow the right guidelines, it’s really not that complicated. We’ll take you step-by-step through the process of obtaining this visa.
1st step to obtain a US J1 visa find a sponsor
To register and apply for a J1 visaFirst, you’ll need to find an organization willing to sponsor you. The United Department of State has an official list of approved organizations. Bear in mind that most organizations will give preference to applicants with a sufficient level of English. The organization can help you to obtain your US visa J1.
2nd step to obtain a J1 visa Fill in the DS-2019 form
Once you’ve been accepted by the overseas exchange program of your choice, you’ll need to fill out the DS-2019 form, also known as the “Certificate of Eligibility for Exchanger Visitor (J-1) Status”. This form is the official document used by the Department of State to obtain an appointment at the American embassy or consulate. If you will be living in the USA accompanied by your spouse and/or children for the duration of the program, they will also need to complete a form.
The DS-2019 is a two-page form issued by the sponsoring organization, containing a description of the program you will be following.
Step 3: Pay the application fee
Before you leave to study abroad, you will be asked to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Note that this payment may be covered by scholarships from sponsoring organizations. It is important to check whether this payment is to be made by you or by your organization. If your organization pays the SEVIS fees, make sure you receive an invoice proving payment.
You must also pay the handling fee for your J1 visa.
Called the Nonimmigrant Visa Application Fee, this administration fee is $185. Applicants who are part of a U.S. government-sponsored program are exempt from paying the Nonimmigrant Visa Application Fee.
We strongly recommend that you take out health insurance before you leave, as medical costs can quickly become staggering in the United States.
Step 4: Appointment at the U.S. embassy or consulate
To obtain your J1 visaIn order to obtain a visa, you need final approval from a consular officer at a U.S. embassy or consulate. Depending on your location, the time required to obtain an appointment can vary considerably. So it’s very important to plan well in advance to make sure you have an appointment before your program begins.
During the interview, you’ll be asked questions about the program, your intentions once it’s over, how you’ll support yourself during the program, and so on. It’s important to make it clear to the officer that your intention is to return to your home country once the program is over. Be prepared to demonstrate your attachment to your country, and to provide any documents proving your ties with your homeland.
To apply for a J1 visavisa, you will need to provide the following documents to the American consulate or embassy officer:
- DS-2019 form (mentioned in step 2);
- Form DS-7002 (training / internship placement plan, for persons undergoing training);
- Form DS-160 (online Nonimmigrant visa electronic application);
- a biometric passport or electronic passport valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of your trip;
- a passport photo.
It is very important to check with your local U.S. embassy or consulate what documents you need to apply for a American J1 visa. These documents may vary from one US consulate or embassy to another. Your personal situation may also have an impact on the documents you need to provide. It is therefore essential that you are aware of all the documents you need to provide to avoid any disappointments on the day of your appointment. Bear in mind that a J-1 visa is valid for a limited period only, and is not suitable for permanent expatriation to the United States. If this is your aim, you should apply for a green card before or during your temporary stay in the USA.