Get Help with Your Exchange Visitor Visa (J-1) 

An exchange visitor visa (J-1) is a nonimmigrant visa for individuals approved to participate in exchange visitor programs in the United States. It accounts for visits to the United States based on the exchange of knowledge and culture. Eligible applicants include students, professors, research scholars, academic specialists, foreign physicians, teachers, counselors, au pairs, or summer students in travel/work programs. 

To obtain a J-Visa, one must have adequate funds and medical insurance for themselves and their family. Spouses and unmarried children under 21 years of age may accompany J-Visa holders. The maximum validity is 18 months, except for professors and scholars who can get a three-year visa with a possible extension in some instances.

The accuracy and completeness of your petition will determine how quickly it processes and whether or not it is initially denied. Appealing a denial is a lengthy process, so it is in your best interest to work with an immigration Lawyer to help ensure the success of your application the first time. 

The Process to Apply for an Exchange Visitor (J) Visa 

To acquire an exchange visitor visa, you need to apply for, and be accepted into, an exchange visitor program through a designated sponsoring organization in the United States. Upon acceptance into a program, you will register in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), and be required to pay the SEVIS 1-901 fee (except in specific circumstances). 

The steps to apply for a visa include:

• Completion of the online application (often Form DS-160) and printing of the application form confirmation page for the interview
• Uploading a photo during the completion of Form DS-160
• Scheduling an interview at the US Embassy or Consulate in the nation in which you live if you are aged 14-79
• Paying the non-refundable visa application fee and any other necessary fees
• Gathering a variety of documents that are needed for the interview, including the DS-160, the DS-2019, a photo, and other information

Additional documentation may be required at the discretion of the consulate, including evidence of:

• The purpose of your travel
• Your intent to depart the US following your travel 
• Your ability to cover the costs associated with your travel 

The consular interview is meant to determine your primary qualifications for an exchange visitor visa. In some instances, evidence of your employment and/or ties to family can be enough to demonstrate the purpose of your travel and intent to return to your home country. When you cannot cover all of the costs associated with your travel, you may be required to produce evidence to demonstrate that another person will be responsible for a portion or all of your travel costs. 

Preparing for the interview and collecting the necessary information to support your J-Visa application can be intimidating, but with an immigration Lawyer by your side, you can rest assured that the process will be handled properly. 

Foreign Nationals With a Prior Visitor (B) Visa or Visa Waiver Program (VWP) Do Not Quality for J-Visas

Other visas have restrictions that can prevent you from obtaining an exchange visitor visa. If you are a foreign national and have entered the US on a visitor (B) visa, you are not able to participate in the exchange visitor program in the United States. Additionally, if you have entered through a Visa Waiver Program (VWP), you are unable to take advantage of the J-Visa. However, this isn’t the endgame, and you may still have options. When you work with an immigration Lawyer, we can evaluate your status and develop a strategy to help you achieve your immigration goals – even if your original strategy and application were denied. 

Types of Exchange Visitor Categories Defined by the U.S. Department of State

As outlined by the US Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, the J-1 visa is only available to persons who are engaging in specific activities and/or occupations. Exchange visitor categories defined by the US Department of State include:

• Au pair and EduCare
• Camp counselor
• Government visitor 
• Intern 
• International visitor
• Physician
• Professor and research scholar
• Short-term scholar
• Specialist 
• Students, whether college/university or secondary
• Summer work travel
• Teacher 
• Trainee 

There are additional categories under the exchange visitor pilot programs under which you might also qualify. One of the best ways to identify an appropriate visa option, and to help support the success of your application, is to reach out to an immigration lawyer at George & Marzialo. 

Connect with an Exchange Visitor Visa Lawyer 

For assistance with the determination of the best visa option to suit your goals, reach out to George & Marzialo. Our experienced immigration Lawyers understand the unique stress and anxiety that comes with applying for immigration visas. We have been through our own journey toward citizenship through various visa programs in the United States. The experience makes us uniquely qualified to support you and your family in your immigration goals.