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Non-Immigrant Visas

Visas for Exchange Visitors (J-1)

Every year hundreds of thousands of students, researchers, and professionals come from around the world to take advantage of the excellent and varied educational opportunities and resources available in the United States. Many of these visitors will require a J-1 or Exchange Visitor Visa, which is the primary visa for cultural or educational exchange programs. These visitors range from high school students participating in study abroad programs to scientists participating in groundbreaking research studies at some of the world’s foremost scientific and medical research institutions. At the conclusion of their program, Exchange Visitors are expected to return to their home countries to utilize the skills they have acquired while in the United States and also to share their experiences with the American culture.

We recognize that recent changes in visa issuance procedures have increased the time it takes to receive a visa. We are working to improve security clearance procedures to protect our borders and at the same time facilitate legitimate travel. These procedures not only make the United States safer for U.S. citizens, but for visitors as well. While these changes may affect the time it takes for a successful applicant to receive a visa, the standards for eligibility remain the same.

Apply for your visa as soon as you have completed your preparation to study in the United States. Special administrative and security processing requirements following the interview may increase the amount of time a successful applicant will wait before receiving a visa. Exchange Visitors should plan accordingly and are advised to apply at least three months prior to their intended date of travel. Please note that Exchange Visitors may not enter the U.S. more than 30 days prior to the start date listed on the DS-2019 Exchange Visitor Form.

How to Apply

Applicants for Exchange Visitor (J) visas are not required to schedule an appointment. After paying the application fee (if applicable) at American Express, applicants for Exchange Visitor visas may come to the Embassy on any working day before 11 AM.

Applicants for J visas must also pay an additional $100 SEVIS fee. This fee is paid directly to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) not to American Express or the Embassy. The Embassy will verify payment of this fee at the time of the interview but cannot collect this fee.

Currently this fee can be paid in U.S. dollars by check or international money order directly to DHS by mail, by credit card online at www.fmjfee.com, or via Western Union. Detailed instructions on how to pay the fee can be found at the following DHS website: http://www.ice.gov/graphics/sevis/i901/index.htm

Eligibility

People who have been accepted as a participant in an approved exchange program and are able to pay the full costs of their program are eligible to apply for an Exchange Visitor visa. However, acceptance in an exchange program does not ensure that an applicant will be qualified for a visa.

To qualify for an Exchange Visitor visa, applicants must demonstrate their qualifications as a student or researcher, the seriousness of their program in the U.S., and their plans following completion of the exchange program. Just as applicants for Visitor Visas, Exchange Visitors must also establish they are not intending immigrants to the United States. Additionally, the applicant must prove that funds are immediately available to cover the first year of program and living expenses, and also provide evidence that funds will be available for all subsequent years.

Exchange Visitor visa applicants must bring the following to their interview: 

  • Completed application forms, including the DS-156 (EVAF only), DS-157, DS-158, and supplemental "parents information" form;
  • Passport (current and all prior);
  • DS-2019 Exchange Visitor form;
  • American Express fee receipt (if applicable); and
  • SEVIS fee receipt or proof of payment (if applicable).

Caution: By signing the visa application form you are certifying that all the information contained in it is true and correct. If you misrepresent any facts, you could be barred from entering the United States. Please double-check that all your answers are accurate and that every question is answered completely.

Please click here for more information on Exchange Visitor visas.