(1) Show proof you have already
been accepted into a State Department-approved exchange
visitor program by presenting a Certificate of Eligibility
(Form IAP-66) obtained from the exchange program officer.
(2) Show proof of adequate
financial support (an "affidavit of support" [Form
I-134] or financial documents) during the period of the
exchange program, if the program does not involve paid employment.
(3) Show proof of sufficient
knowledge of English to participate in the program
(4) Show intent to return home upon completion of the program
Advantages:
- Longer Employment Period:
The allowed length of practical training employment is
longer for a J-1 visa (18 mos.) compared with that for
an F-1 visa (12 mos.) or
an M-1 visa (6 mos.).
Disadvantages:
- Limited Applicability:
Normally limited only to the specific exchange program
through which one originally received the J-1 visa. Unlike
F-1 or an M-1 visa holders, who may apply to new programs
without having to apply for another visa or status, a
J-1 visa holder may not transfer to another program without
applying for a new visa.
- Two-year
Residency requirement: Many J-1 visas, especially
those for medical trainees, carry a two-year residency
requirement. After one's visa has expired, a J-1 visa
holder must return to his home country and remain there
for at least two years before applying for a green card
or change of status to another type of non-immigrant visa
like an H-1B or L-1 visa. A waiver
of the two-year residency requirement requires:
(1) a No-Objection Letter
from your government, plus
(2) in the case of foreign medical graduates, proof of
hardship to a U.S. citizen or green-card holder, persecution
on return to one's home country, or the specific request
of a federal or state government agency.
The Application Process:
J-1 visa applications are a one-step process, requiring:
1. A Certification
of Eligibility (Form IAP-66) showing you have been
accepted into a State Department-approved exchange program.(see
the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural
Affairs for more info on approved programs: http://exchanges.state.gov/)
2. An OF form for a U.S. consulate
filing abroad OR an I-539 form if applying for J-1 status
at anBCIS (formerly INS) office INSide the U.S.
3. Documents showing proof of adequate financial support
(an "affidavit of support" [Form I-134] or financial
documents) during the period of the exchange program
4. Passport and one passport photo
5. Transcripts and diplomas if currently a student
6. Documents showing proof of property ownership in your
home country
7. Documents showing the existence of close relatives in
your home country
8. Foreign medical graduates must have passed Parts I and
II of the U.S. National board of Medical Examiners examination
or its equivalent. (See the ECFMG website for more information:
http://www.ecfmg.org/).
Note: Accompanying relatives (spouse
and children) of J-1 visa holders are eligible to apply
for J-2 visas. They may stay in the U.S. but not work there.
