The J1 Exchange Visitor Program allows non-US citizens to enter the country temporarily, as a part of a program. You will require a sponsoring organization to be eligible for a program in the visa. There are several steps to apply for a J1 Visa, a step-by-step procedure is mentioned below.
Choose a suitable program
Before even thinking about the visa, you should choose a suitable program. There are 13 total programs like the Internship, Au-pair and Trainee programs under the Exchange Visitor Program which have certain eligibility requirements. You can only get a visa under one of these programs.
You may be eligible for the J-1 program if you find a position in the same field as your work experience or your degree. WorkStudy can help apply for internship and training programs to interested foreign individuals.
Learn more about these programs here.
Find a company and a sponsoring organization
After you’ve found the perfect vacant position for you, the following step is to contact the employer and schedule an interview. Your company will be the place where you will be working during your visa period.
Work Study will help you find a vacant internship opportunity in the industry suitable for your skills. Your Host Company will be the place where you will be doing your internship/ training program during your visa period. The interview with the company is a very important stage of selection. If you are able to convey that you have all the skills required for the position, you go on to the next stage. We will help you find the most suitable company and guide you for the interviews, so don’t worry!
After your company is decided, it is important to look for a sponsoring organization. The American Government has designated thousands of organizations in various sectors to be sponsors for the J1-Visa. Remember that a sponsor organization, not your employer, will sponsor you for a J-1 visa.
Work Study , along with the sponsoring organization will help your offer approval documentation. The most important steps are paying the SEVIS fees, getting the DS 2019 form and getting a government approved internship/ training plan for the duration of the visa.
Some sponsors offer their final sponsorship permission in three weeks, while others grant it in a few days. It depends on availability of the internship start dates. Please be aware of their processing time always!
These companies screen their participants and look for English speaking, motivated and driven individuals and help them apply for a visa, so interview preparation is most essential part of the process! We can help you with that too!
Apply for the DS-2019 Form
After finding a suitable sponsor, the next step is to apply for the DS-2019 Form, which serves as a proof of your eligibility to be an exchange visitor in the US. This form is given to you by your sponsoring organization, and you will have to fill in some personal details in it, including a breakdown of your finances.
Pay the Fees
After the form, you will need to pay your SEVIS fees to the Department of Homeland Security in the US. Note that your sponsoring organizations may pay these fees for you (Check up on it!) Other fees include a visa application fee of $160. Participants of programs in the US Government, Department of State, USAID, or a government funded program are exempt from paying this fee.
Get ready for Your Interview
Final approval by a consular officer at a US embassy or consulate is required for your J-1 visa application to be accepted. Waiting times for appointments vary depending on where you live, so make your appointment early to ensure that you have enough time before your program starts.
If you are travelling with a spouse or a child, they also need to have an interview. You will be asked about the program, your purpose, intentions after the program, your financial status etc.
Important Documents for the J1-Visa
- DS-2019 Form, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status
- DS-7002 Form, A Training/Internship Placement Plan (for exchange visitor trainees or intern visa applicants)
- Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application
- Passport
Remember that it’s crucial to double-check the required paperwork with your local embassy or consulate. Your embassy or consulate, as well as your specific situation, will influence how to apply for a J-1 visa, so make sure you’ve read up on everything you need to know before and during your interview.
