What is the visa process for J 1 exchange students in American universities? Required materials?

Applying for a J- 1 visa is a two-step process. First of all, the organizer of the United States must issue a DS-20 19 form to prove that you are qualified for the exchange visit. Most universities and some institutions are qualified to issue this form, but if the project sponsor does not, it is necessary to issue DS-20 19 form through a qualified intermediary. Click here to learn more about the visitor exchange program and the list of institutions responsible for the program.

Requirements for obtaining an exchange visit visa

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Applicants for such visas must have sufficient project funds; Funds must be provided by the organizer in the form of scholarships or other grants.

Academic preparation

Exchange visitors must make full academic preparations for the established project they will participate in, including English skills, otherwise participants who do not speak English will be considered when designing the project.

Special requirements of medical education and training applicants

Participants in the J-type project must meet certain requirements to participate in postgraduate medical education or training, including passing the medical examination of foreign medical graduates, English qualification certificates, automatically limiting their residence abroad for two years (described later) and observing the provisions of the project term. Doctors who come to the United States for the purpose of investigation, discussion, teaching or research are not subject to the above provisions.

Living overseas (non-immigrant tendency)

Like student visas and most other non-immigrant visas, in order to meet the requirements of visa exchange, applicants must prove to the visa officer that they have a permanent residence outside the United States during the interview and return after the visit.

SEVIS

The project sponsor must report to the State Council, USA, and the accepted applicant is a project participant. The applicant's information will be entered into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). For more information about the student and exchange visitor information system, please see this page.

Materials to be submitted

In addition to the materials listed in the chapter on how to apply for an exchange visitor visa, the applicant must also submit the DS-20 19 form (J- 1) and the identity certificate of the exchange visitor provided by the American project organizer.

Suggested supplementary materials

Economic proof

All J- 1 applicants must prove that their financial ability is sufficient to guarantee their expenses in the United States, or that the salary provided by participating in the project can cover all expenses. The certificate may include:

Exchange project subsidy: proof that the subsidy provided by the American project sponsor guarantees to pay all expenses in the United States.

Personal deposit: a bank passbook or monthly financial report showing current assets and recent capital flows.

Funding: the sponsor should provide proof of assets and income, including current bank account and documents of owning real estate.

A written statement detailing the objectives and contents of the exchange plan; If the position includes on-the-job training, a specific training plan is needed.

It is suggested that participants in scientific and technological projects submit supplementary materials.

Applicants who intend to engage in scientific and technological projects in the United States should bring the following supplementary materials during the interview:

A detailed resume;

If possible, list publications or published articles;

Letter from the project organizer; If the applicant wants to go to school or university to participate in the project, then this letter should be issued by the department where he will work.

Frequently asked questions on exchange visit visas

Can I apply for a B 1/B2 business/tourist visa to come to the United States?

Most training programs and internship positions do not meet the requirements of B 1/B2 visa. Only applicants who meet the following types can go to the United States for training with a B 1/B2 visa. (In addition, you need to apply for a J visa or a short-term work visa):

The first type: interns sent to American offices by current employers.

The applicant must be a full-time employee of the company in the local (China) company and will visit the parent company, branch company or sister company of the company in the United States;

The salaries, travel expenses and living expenses of the students must be borne by the institutions in China, not by the US.

The project is limited to demonstration teaching, excluding "on-the-job" practice;

Visiting hours shall not exceed 6 months.

The second type: self-funded training programs of American companies or institutions.

Applicants must pay all their own expenses. Wages, travel expenses or living expenses can neither be paid by the American company where the training is held, nor by the project co-organizers or educational institutions in the applicant's country;

The project is limited to demonstration teaching, excluding "on-the-job" practice;

The visit will last no more than 6 months.

Can I work in America as an exchange visitor?

Working as a class J exchange visitor depends on the conditions of the project. Provide on-the-job training, teaching, research or other projects, including paid work, and then participants can accept the job position. For those projects that do not include job positions, participants cannot accept jobs outside the project.

When can I arrive in America at the earliest?

If you have started a new exchange program (one you haven't participated in for some time), you can only arrive at least 30 days before the date listed on DS-20 19. Please consider this factor carefully when you plan to go to America. The 30-day limit does not apply to exchange visiting scholars who return to the United States to continue a project. They can enter America at any time.

How long can I stay in America? Do I have to leave as soon as my visa expires?

When you enter the United States with a J- 1 visa, you are usually allowed to stay because of your status as an exchange visitor, which is abbreviated as "D/S" on your passport. This rule means that even if the visa on your passport has expired, you can still stay until the deadline shown on your DS-20 19 form.

If your visa has expired and you need to travel abroad, you must reapply for a visa at an overseas embassy or consulate in the United States, so that you can re-enter the United States and continue your project tasks.

When you complete the project shown in DS-20 19, you will have a 30-day grace period to travel to the United States or visit friends before you have to leave the United States.

What are the overseas residence rules?

Exchange visitors with class J visas, whether participating in projects funded by any level of the US government; Or projects funded by the applicant's home government; Or a citizen or resident of a country designated by the exchange visitor program and the employee selection program as having exchange visitor skills; They must return to their country of nationality or their last place of residence after completing their projects in the United States. You can apply for immigration or short-term work visa only after you have lived for two years.

During my exchange visit program in the United States, my family plans to accompany me or visit relatives later. Is this feasible? What visa does he or she need?

Only spouses and children of J- 1 exchange program visa holders can obtain J-2 visas; Parents and other family members do not meet the requirements of J-2 visa. They can only apply for tourist visas and visit J- 1 visa holders for a short time.

Spouses and children, whether accompanying exchange visitors or visiting relatives later, must submit application forms and attach a recent photo. Spouses and children must also produce copies of marriage certificates or birth certificates. Family members of exchange visitors in the United States must also show their DS-20 19 forms respectively.