Tips for US Exchange Program (J1) Visa
A J1 visa is a non-immigrant visa issued to individuals who are approved to participate in exchange visitor programs in the United States.
People who go to the United States with a J1 visa have the opportunity to receive education, do research, teach, observe and do internships, depending on the exchange program they are accepted to.
The U.S. Department of State organizes exchange visitor programs to encourage people to develop their knowledge and skills in the fields of education, arts, and science, and also designates public institutions and private organizations to sponsor the program.
US Exchange Visitor Program Categories
Exchange program categories announced by the United States Department of State are listed below.
- Lecturer exchange program
- Research assistant exchange program
- High school exchange program
- University exchange program
- Intern Program
- Teacher exchange program
- Specialist exchange program
- Au pair program
- Camp counselor program
- Official visitor exchange program
- Medical professional exchange program
Eligibility for Exchange Program Participation in the USA and Program Sponsors
American exchange program sponsors are responsible for screening and selecting eligible foreign nationals for the program and for supporting and following up with selected individuals during their stay in the United States. Sponsors select program participants based on eligibility criteria established for each program. While personal interviews may be part of the selection process for some programs, in addition to program-specific criteria, all participants must meet English language proficiency and insurance requirements.
People who want to go to the United States as an exchange visitor must first determine a suitable sponsor institution. The list of sponsors approved by the US Department of State for exchange programs can be accessed through the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs Exchange Programs official website BridgeUSA. The addresses given in the sponsor list are the official office addresses of the institutions and exchange visitors can be placed anywhere in the United States within the scope of the relevant program.
The BridgeUSA website screenshot is given below.
How to Get a USA J1 Visa?
To obtain a US J1 exchange program visa, the application steps listed below must be followed.
- A DS-2019 form is obtained from the approved sponsoring organization and the SEVIS fee is paid.
- The US DS-160 visa application form is filled out.
- Necessary documents for the J1 visa are prepared.
- By paying the visa application fee, an appointment is made at the US Consulate.
- The application is completed with the submission of documents, biometric registration and visa interview at the appointment.
DS-2019 Form and J1 Visa SEVIS Fee
Before starting the US J1 visa process, the exchange program sponsoring institution in the US must register with SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) and prepare the Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Program Status, called the DS-2019 form.
Visa applicants who receive a US DS-2019 form from the sponsoring agency must pay the SEVIS I-901 registration fee at FMJfee.com or by using Western Union Quick Pay. The SEVIS fee for US exchange visitors in 2022 is $220.
USA J1 Visa Application Form (DS-160)
For the US J1 visa, the online DS-160 application form must be filled out via ceac.state.gov. When filling out the form, the purpose of travel to the US must be marked as “Exchange Visitor – J” and “Exchange Visitor – J1” respectively. The SEVIS identification number on the DS-2019 form sent by the sponsor must be entered in the relevant section of the DS-160 form.
The DS-160 application form image for the US J1 visa is given below.
After completing the application form for the US J1 visa, the applicant’s digital biometric photograph must be uploaded to the application system and the confirmation page must be printed out.
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to frequently asked questions to our consultants about the US J1 visa are provided below.
What are the Required Documents for the USA J1 Visa?
In order to obtain a US J1 visa, the documents listed below must be prepared in addition to the standard visa documents*.
- DS-160 visa form approval printout
- DS-2019 form (Exchange Program Status Eligibility Certificate)
- For internship programs, there is also a DS-7002 form.
- SEVIS fee payment receipt
- Invitation from the institution in the USA
- Official transcript (for students and recent graduates)
- Research plan (for researchers)
- Current CV (resume)
- Proof that program expenses can be paid
- Proof of military service
* In US exchange program visa applications, standard documents and supporting documents are requested to prove the person’s financial adequacy and return to Home country at the end of the program. The comprehensive list of documents can be viewed by making appropriate selections on the US visa required documents page.
How Much Is The J1 Visa Application Fee?
The J1 visa application fee is $160 and is paid before scheduling a visa interview.
After completing the DS-160 form, an account is created with the application form code at usvisa-info.com, the Ankara or Istanbul US foreign mission where the interview will be held is selected, the fee payment is made according to the instructions given, and an appointment is made by selecting the appropriate dates.
When to Schedule a J1 Visa Interview?
As of July 2024, the average appointment waiting time announced for US J1 visa applications is 180 days for the Ankara Embassy and 200 days for the Istanbul Consulate General. Please get information for current dates.
U.S. government-sponsored exchange visitor (J visa) applicants and their dependents do not pay an application fee if they are participating in a State Department, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), or Federally funded educational and cultural exchange program whose program serial number begins with G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-7 on Form DS-2019.
When is the US Exchange Program Visa Interview Date?
On the appointment date, you will go to the US foreign mission in person, submit your visa documents, get fingerprinted, and have a visa interview with a consular officer. During the interview, the visa applicant’s intention to return to the country at the end of the exchange program is specifically assessed and questions are frequently asked about this.
At the end of the interview, the applicant is informed whether the J1 visa application is approved or not. If the US J1 visa is approved, entry to the US can be made within 30 days before the exchange program date.
How Long Does a US J1 Visa Last?
The length of time allowed to stay in the US under the J-1 visa varies depending on which program you apply to. J1 visa durations according to the US Exchange Visitor Program categories are given below.
| Exchange Program Category | Length of Stay in the USA |
|---|---|
| Short-term academician | Maximum 6 months |
| Researcher academician | 3 weeks – 5 years |
| Expert | 3 weeks – 12 months |
| Medical expert | Maximum 7 years |
| Intern | 3 weeks – 12 months |
| General Practitioner | 3 weeks – 18 months |
| Teacher | Maximum 3 years |
| High school student | 1 or 2 training periods |
| University student | Throughout the entire training period |
| Work and travel | 4 months |
| Au pair | 12 months |
| Camp Counselor | 4 months |
All J1 visa holders are given 30 days to arrange their return travel home after their visa expires.
What is the Requirement for 2 Years of Residence in the Country of Origin at the End of the Exchange Program?
Certain J1 visa holders are required to return to their home country and reside there for 2 years at the end of their visa period. Exchange visitors, even those on government-funded exchange programs, residency programs, and postgraduate medical programs, can apply for a temporary work visa, intra-company transfer visa, immigration visa, and fiancé visa in the United States only after returning to their home country and living there for 2 years.
Can a J1 Visa Holder’s Spouse and Children Go to the United States?
Spouses and children of US J1 visa holders can apply for a J2 visa, which is an exchange visitor visa, at the same time as applying for the J1 visa, or if the exchange program allows for an accompanying spouse and/or dependents, family members can accompany the J1 visa holder in this manner. It should be noted that accompanying spouses are not allowed in camp counselor, summer work and travel, au pair and middle school student visa categories.
The sponsor must issue separate DS-2019 forms for all family members seeking a US J2 visa , along with a copy of the J1 visa holder’s visa and proof of relationship .
What are the Most Popular US Exchange Programs?
The most frequently applied US exchange program visas are given below.
- US au pair visa
- America work and travel visa