Urgent! High score reward! Go to America to exchange questions! J 1 to F 1

The two-day international education exhibition ended yesterday. I don't want to say a word after two days, because there are too many words in these two days. The scene in front of the booth of American universities is spectacular. During this period, several parents of students asked about the situation of J 1 transfer to F 1, and made some systematic summaries here, hoping that friends in need could help, and then transferred several cases from the Internet.

The detailed rules for the transition from J 1 to F 1 involve various immigration and non-immigration policies and political conditions in the United States, so it is complicated. In my opinion, generally speaking, it can be divided into two categories:

1. After arriving in the United States as J 1, can I successfully transfer to F 1?

2. It is the first time to go to America as J 1. Can I apply for F 1 after returning to China?

In the first case, it should be said that it is possible. If you abstain for about one year, you can transfer to F 1. In addition, if there are some political events, there may be a collective Amnesty, and some people don't even have to abstain. If the American tutor can help, it will be easier to get a waiver.

In the second case, if the J 1 project I went to the United States for the first time was funded by the government of the United States or China, involving the field of specialized knowledge or skills, or received medical education or training, it would take two years (that is, two years of foreign residence requirements).

It should be noted that if the non-student J 1 who goes to the United States for study or research for the first time generally needs to be exempted, then the second time to study abroad is likely to be J 1 student visa, and may also need to be exempted in the future. If you go to the United States for the first time as an exchange student, you generally don't need to be exempted, and the second time you go is probably F 65438+.

Case 1

Last year, I went to an American university as an exchange student, J 1 visa, and successfully passed the visa. I'm not sure about the requirement of two years' residence. Later, when I arrived in the United States, I learned that many J 1 visa applicants had to stay in China for two years before they could apply for going abroad. If they want to fail to fulfill these two years' regulations, they must apply for exemption before they can go to the United States again. I graduated from college in June this year and applied for admission in the fall of 2006. I was admitted, but I paid for it at my own expense ... In this way, with the confusion of J 1 two-year residence requirements and the disadvantage of paying for it at my own expense, I started visa preparation: L

In order to thoroughly understand the "two-year rule", I read almost all the related posts on the forum, posted many posts, and studied many rules in official website. During this period, a friend has been trying his best to help me. He helped me search a lot of information in this field online, both in Chinese and English. He helped me analyze and give me advice. I want to thank him especially ~ if it can see it, it will be really, really grateful to him. Of course, this is my way of understanding, and it does not represent the truth. Hehehehehe, I hope you can refer to other materials and make more preparations.

The provisions of J 1:

Two-year foreign residence requirement

Exchange visitors shall comply with the requirements of INA 2 12(e) if:

All or part of the projects participated by the exchange visitors are directly or indirectly funded by the US government or the government of the exchange visitors' nationality or last residence;

The exchange visitor is a national or resident of a country that is designated to need the services of personnel in the field of professional knowledge or skills that the exchange visitor is engaged in during his project (exchange visitor skill list 9 FAM 4 1.62, Annex II);

Exchange visitors to the United States for postgraduate medical education or training.

If the exchange visitor meets the requirements of INA 2 12(e), he or she cannot change his or her status to H, L, K or legal permanent resident of immigration (LPR) until he or she returns to his/her home country for at least two years or receives an exemption from this requirement. This exemption can be obtained on five separate bases: statement of no objection, special hardship or persecution, Conrad Project, or interested government agencies. For details, please refer to 2 12(e) for two-year foreign residence exemption requirements for J visa.

That is to say, if your J 1 project is funded by the U.S. or China government, involving professional knowledge or skills, or receiving medical education or training, it will take two years in all three cases, and others may not be needed. Because my previous J 1 was handed in by the school, I don't need it. I think the above rules should have been made clear a long time ago.

Today, I was in the group at eight o'clock in the morning, and I didn't feel as good as I thought. When I was waiting in line to apply for a visa in the lobby, I saw someone coming out with white pages and passports (refusing visas), and of course many people were holding mailing lists (passes), but I saw a security aunt shaking her head all the time, as if to say that today's form was not very good ... When I was waiting to be called in the lobby, I was depressed and more nervous. ...

My question is:

Why did you come to us?

Who will support you?

What do your parents do?

What are your plans after graduation?

These are relatively clear questions. During this period, I "struggled for a long time" with my previous exchange program and J 1 visa, but I can't remember the specific questions. I only remember that I said, "I don't think I am restricted by the two-year residence requirement ..." He ran to ask the vice consul and came back to me and said, "You are right". I felt the same way at that time. I am the first in our team, and I hope to bring some good luck to the "players" behind me, hehe.

The overall feeling is not as watery as I thought before, so I need to prepare well and prepare carefully. Miracles may not happen, but we still have a better chance to win a prepared battle, hehe. Face the visa officer frankly (although you may be as nervous as I am, don't let him see it; P), I feel that it is better to speak fluently. Communication is very important. Don't just "recite" answers. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask them. Please help me answer them: D.

I am grateful to my parents who have been supporting and encouraging me to get up in the middle of the night and drive with me to apply for a visa. Without their support, I would not be here today. Although they may not "read" the forum, they will simply send emails, hehehehehe, but I understand ... Finally, I wish all brothers and sisters and all parents who go to visa pass pass health:)

Case 2 (the process from J 1 to F 1 after Shenyang's three visa passes)

I am a doctoral student, and I was invited to visit the United States in March 2006 10 months. At the beginning of 65,438+00, the American tutor proposed to my domestic tutor to study for a doctorate in the United States, and both the domestic tutor and the dean of the graduate school agreed to go through the formalities. Due to the tight time, we got the offer at the end of 65,438+00.

The first time was a J/KLOC-0 visa, not a check, so I went to Shenyang twice. The second time was F 1 visa, and it was passed once. The following is the process of three visas and the process of applying for an offer. I don't remember the specific sentences clearly when I applied for a visa, but the general meaning is similar.

-

J 1 First visa process:

I was worried about two things when I first got a visa. First of all, I'm really not interested in English. After my freshman year, my English performance went from bad to worse. My college English scores are 77, 76 and 60 (only after I found a teacher ...). I have passed CET-4 three times, and I have to pass CET-4 for my postgraduate entrance examination. So I held my breath and studied hard for a while, 63 points, which just passed, so my listening and speaking ability was really poor. The second thing is money. Foreign teachers provide round-trip air tickets, American insurance, plus 700 yuan/month. The school is in the American countryside, and the consumption is not high, but it is definitely enough to live. However, when I saw that the version of 1500/ month failed, my heart was half cold. But try it when you have a chance, but it doesn't matter. In 65438+February, Shenyang was really cold, and I stayed in the hotel opposite the consulate. I saw someone waiting in line outside long ago, so I hurried to join in the fun, thinking that I could sign it early if I went in. I was frozen for nearly 1 hour before I went in. At first glance, there are already many people inside. Nobody called me all morning. It's almost 12: 30 I want to go out and come back in the afternoon. /kloc-it's finally my turn around 0/2: 30 … they won't eat either?

Interviewer: Are you Mr. Wang?

Me: Good morning, yes, it's me (forgetting that it's noon, I want to say good morning, Khan ...)

Interviewer: Why do you want to go to America? (Normal question)

Me: I'm going to XX University as an exchange student.

Interviewer: What do you do?

Me: I am a student of XX.

Interviewer: 700 yuan per month? (Sure enough, ask the question of money)

Me: Yes. A teacher in our group has been working there for three years. He said it was enough to live. My university is in a small village. So ... (interrupted)

Interviewer: OK, Mr. Wang ... (I don't understand at all, sweating ...)

Me: I'm sorry, t get you (based on the principle of not understanding and not answering indiscriminately)

Narrator: blabla… ..... (I still don't understand, I can't help it, the prepared questions are ok, and suddenly the whole thing is completely dizzy)

Me: Sorry, I started looking for information to stuff in.

Narrator: blabla… ... I just heard something about the early days, and then I thought about it. It seems to be asking me why my offer came so early and why my visa came so late, but I just didn't hear it anyway.

Me: I'm sorry ... I'm starting to feel sick.

Interviewer: How do you know the professor? (The question I prepared earlier)

Me: Her research group has long-term cooperation with our group. Every year, she brings about 15 REU students to our school …

Interviewer: Do you know each other?

Me: Yes, we have known each other for 2 years.

Interviewer: Don't talk, don't type … Do you have a resume?

Me: I feel dizzy again. I don't understand what material this is. Actually, it's not that I don't understand. It's just that the pronunciation of my resume was all wrong … I guess many people have the same problem as me. I started to look up the materials.

Interviewer: Only the top card … The visa officer speaks Chinese to me …

Me: Oh, sorry, come in.

Interviewer: It's all in Chinese ... Mr. Wang, I'm telling you, it's very important for you to practice your English when you go back. Come back in three weeks. If your English is still poor, it will be difficult for you to get a visa.

Me: OK, I will. You mean I was checked?

Interviewer: Yes, we need to examine your materials. Generally speaking, it takes three weeks. Let's meet again in three weeks. Then he gave me some pages … all in Chinese …

Me: Thank you. I wanted to say something, but since it was noon, I guess the visa officer was hungry, and the person behind me was behind me, so I hurried out.

-

Second visa:

Three weeks, no more than one day, no less than one day, and then go by mail.

Staying in the same hotel, the proprietress asked me why I came again, but I was rejected last time. I said no, I said on the internet that I can generally pass the inspection, but I am still worried about English. Last time someone said they would torture me. I went on business trips several times, but I didn't practice well at all. I decided to do something to try not to let him ask me any more questions.

It's still early this time. You don't need an appointment. You can go in first.

After a while, it was my turn.

Me: Good morning, how are you?

Interviewer: I'm fine, and you?

Me: No, I'm too tired.

Interviewer: Why? (Sure enough, ask why haha)

Me: I didn't sleep well. I woke up many times. I think I'm a little nervous.

Interviewer: blabla, I don't understand.

Me: Yes.

Vo: blabla didn't understand again.

Me: Yes.

Interviewer: blabla keep doesn't understand ing.

Me: Yes, haha, anyway, his tone is declarative, so just go along with it.

Interviewer: I will get my visa at 4 o'clock.

Me: I'm secretly pleased. Thank you very much. Have a nice day.

Interviewer: Have a nice trip to America.

Me: Bye.

-

The third visa and the process from J 1 to F 1:

The intermediate process is complicated, but it may be helpful for some comrades who have switched from J 1 to F 1.

Because it is a visa transfer and I don't know how to operate it, I will go to gter, Tessa and google to find it. I found an article on gter about the pain of J1-waiver ... When I saw my visa, I wrote the two-year rule. I panicked, so I quickly went up and sent an article to ask, and sent a letter to the moderator to ask. Ban Zhu said that if it is a J 1 student visa, it doesn't matter, just apply for F 1 directly. If it is a J 1 non-student visa, it needs to be exempted. Just because I'm an employee over there doesn't mean I'm not a student … find out how to exempt, nnd. The Embassy of China said that it must be 1 year, and it must be valid for at least half a year before it can apply for exemption from inspection. I can't get back and forth, so I have to write to the embassy (the phone of the embassy will never get through ... so I have to send an email). The email replied quickly, saying that you can't apply for exemption from the test, and go back directly to apply for F 1. This is a contradiction. I don't know what to do at the moment. I've been looking for all kinds of documents for several days, and without this test ... I'm depressed. Bambusa also said that you can apply for a J 1 student visa in this case, so you have to tell your boss. The boss asked the school, and the students in the school belong to different departments. She said that without a J 1 student visa, J 1 means J 1, and students are students. If I transfer to another student, I will lose the original purpose of this exchange and have to go back to China to start over. No way, time is too late, so we have to try, and it is a big deal. Then I started to go through the offer procedure. At this time, I discovered that applying for a school must have TOEFL and GRE scores. Simply exchange my English level. The exam must be a waste, and I have no time to review at all. Fortunately, the school said that if my tutor wrote a strong recommendation letter, the school might exempt me from the requirement of English, so my tutor wrote it. At the same time, I went to the person in charge of the graduate school to talk about my situation face to face, and finally gave an offer, exempting Tofel and GRE, haha. Of course, I want to thank others for their trust in me again.

I went back to China with my foreign tutor and began to go through the school formalities. The school promised to keep my student status for two years, and I had to come back to reply before the end of 2008, so I had to agree. After issuing the certificate, I made an appointment for a face-to-face interview on 16.

In June, it was not very cold in Shenyang 165438+ 10, but it seems that few students signed up, and many of them were visiting relatives on business. When I went in to hand in the form, I found that the glass boy who signed my name at the No.4 window last time was changed to the No.2 window. I didn't see it, but I heard J in my voice.

It wasn't long before it was my turn, and I couldn't remember the specific sentences.

Me: I wonder, why do you have a beard? I took a closer look and found it was him. Come on, it's nice to see you again.

Interviewer: Nice to see you again. Are you Mr. Wang?

Me: Yes.

Interviewer: Do you remember what I told you last time? It is said that you need to stay in China for two years.

Me: Yes, I know that rule, but it doesn't mention f 1 visa, so … was interrupted.

Interviewer: Pointing to my visa, this is your last visa. Obviously, you have to abide by the two-year rule.

Me: Yes, I know. But I can explain this. VO didn't say anything. I continued. I was confused about the rules, so I asked the graduate office. They told me that I could apply for an F/KLOC-0 visa. I also read the regulations carefully. It says that if I want to transfer to Hongkong or get a green card, I must stay in China for two years first, not to mention an F visa. So I came back to apply.

Interviewer: Look at the computer and ignore me.

Me: I know my situation is a bit complicated. But I don't think I refuse this rule. -Yes, explain it clearly. Actually, VO also knows that you can transfer.

Interviewer: Oh, yes. You can apply for an F 1 visa. Can I see your resume?

Me: Here you are.

Vo compared with the computer for a while. Have a nice trip to America and get your visa at 4 o'clock.

Me: Thank you very much. Have a nice day.

Suddenly, I heard Vo calling Mr. Wang from behind. I thought I was calling someone else, but later I found it was wrong, so I ran back quickly.

Interviewer: You can't take your social security number with you in your passport. If you lose it, it will bring you great trouble.

Me: Thank you very much. I don't know. I just saw many men in China do this. You can give it to me.

Interviewer: I will return it at 4 o'clock. Please remember to put it in a safe place.

Me: Thank you very much.

Case 3

J- 1 day account application for exemption

65438+2007 10 month

On a whim, I feel that I have been in the United States for 1 years and a half with a J- 1 visa. Should I apply for exemption, or my identity will always be a problem in the future. And this J 1 5 year has been making me uneasy. Who knows if the slow policy will change? Apply early. Visiting the post-doctoral version of mitbbs has strengthened my confidence in early exemption and early parenting. Apply. Find out how to apply first. I read the information about exemption from exams in elite areas on Mitbbs, Education Office of the Embassy (mendation.state.gov/). I called a friend who had been exempted from the test and said it was easy. As I was in Los Angeles, I called Mr. Liu Wansheng (2 13-807-8009) of the Education Section of the Consulate General to ask about some information. Knowing that I came to the United States directly after graduating from a doctor's degree in China, it is easy to tell me that I am exempt from the exam. Don't worry. The first thing to do is to draft a letter of support from the tutor, and then go directly to the boss, who is very kind and signs it directly. This may be what everyone is most concerned about and worried about, but it turns out that this is not the essence. I got a letter of support from my boss and began to prepare materials for the China Embassy.

(1) Chinese written application report (500-word composition);

(2) a copy of the doctor's degree certificate;

(3) A formal letter of employment issued by an American institution (this is actually an original offer letter or a letter of support written by the boss, and one letter is enough. The embassy left a letter of support, and the offer letter was returned to me. Just one letter is enough. In fact, it is impossible for everyone's offer letter to state that it is helpful to apply for exemption from the test and transfer the visa. The embassy didn't care much about it at all. As soon as it was available, it was over, and it didn't even read what was written in it. A friend of mine didn't ask his boss to write a letter of support at first, but he attached an offer letter, which was equally successful. Of course, it is better to have a letter of support. If the boss is really mean, you don't have to keep looking for this, just use the offer letter. If you really meet the embassy staff who are not accommodating, try to supplement the materials.

(4) A copy of the valid page of the passport (there is no need to copy the whole page at all, and those blank pages are printed and returned, because the embassy of others doesn't want to store some garbage and there is no place to put it, so my blank pages are returned);

(5) Over the years, DS20 19 (I have two copies, and the second copy is valid for 1 year and a half, so it also plays the role of a valid stay certificate in the United States for more than half a year, so I don't need to prepare the seventh item of the application materials. DS forms only need J 1, and dependent ones don't);

(6) Copies of the front and back of the existing I-94 card.

Basically complete, except for two things, one is the application form for exemption of international students, and the other is the notice of exemption number issued by the State Council, the United States. I can't. I'm so tired. Let's eat first

20071October 65438 +00 at night

After dinner, it is evening. It seems that we can only apply for the case number. Turn on the computer, go to the website of DOS exemption application, download a blank form first, see what needs to be filled in, and write everything that needs to be filled in on the form. It is important not to forget to exempt yourself from J2 dependence. Of course, you need their names, birth dates and other information. Almost finished. Fill in the form online. Before clicking Finish the online application for J- 1 exemption proposal, I suddenly saw a reason statement under it. Write one quickly, find an online template and refer to the boss's letter of support. It will be done in 20 minutes. Everything is ready. It took half an hour to fill out the form online, and a 9-page PDF file was generated, which contained all the inspection-free numbers needed by the embassy.

I also have a notice. Print it out, and all the materials are sorted and bagged. Two bags, one for the education office of the embassy and the other for DOS. At this time, the materials given to the education department are only the application form for exemption. We'll talk about the exemption application form the next day. This is something that only embassies have.

According to the list, the materials sent to DOS are prepared as follows:

(1) waiver review department barcode page (automatically generated)

(2) Form DS3035 (automatically generated)

(3) Supplementary applicable information page (automatically generated)

(4) A copy of the current passport data page containing the name and date of birth.

(5) Copies of all forms DS-20 19.

(6) Reason statement (automatically generated)

(7) An addressed and stamped envelope (put two).

All right, that's it. Go to sleep.

On the morning of June 65438+1October 1 1, 2007

The most important thing is to do it in the morning. Isn't that what everyone does? Money, application fee. Go to the bank to buy two money orders, one for 200 yuan, one for 2 15 yuan, and of course, add the handling fee (Citi's handling fee is really expensive, and one for 5 yuan, which I remember buying at the credit union before, only 1 yuan). Fill in who you pay, sign your name and write down your personal information. Pay $200 to the Embassy of China; ; 2 15 paid to the State Council, USA. Don't forget to write your name, date of birth and place of birth (Chinese mainland) in the address bar below. Ok, put it in the two bags prepared before. Don't turn them upside down. No one would do that. Of course, we should put it all in.

In front of the material, this is the most needed thing. It's been half an hour. Let's have a cup of coffee. At the same time, I called Mr. Liu from the Education Office of the Embassy to make an appointment to deliver the materials in the afternoon, and it was done, about 3 pm. Teacher Liu is very nice, but no one usually answers the phone. Please leave a message and I'll get a reply soon. After I left a message, Mr. Liu called me back in three minutes and said to see when it was convenient for me to deliver it. All right. Wait for the materials to arrive this afternoon. After lunch, I checked two more bags. No shortage of materials, no mistakes, and the order is correct. That's enough.

On the afternoon of June 65438+1October 1 1, 2007.

How to get to the Google Embassy is only 10 miles, but it's all local. Considering the traffic from UCla to the Embassy (443 Shatto Place, LA, CA 90020), we can't trust Google for more than 20 minutes. Let's start at 2 o'clock, but we can't wait for others to pass. After all, we need help. Well, I was worried to death all the way. 10 mile, driving for 50 minutes, finally arrived on time. Go in and ask the counselor, tell them who made the appointment, and then sit on the sofa next to you and wait. Two or three minutes later, Teacher Liu came down with two watches. A very kind and polite person. I gave him the materials of the application form for exemption for overseas students and he gave me the application form. While he was reading the materials, I filled out the form. I said that I had brought all the other materials I needed and wanted to go with me. Teacher Liu finished reading my materials, and my application form was filled out. When you give it to him, tell me that all the formalities have been completed. I asked when it would be finished, and he said soon, just these days. It seems that the efficiency of the Education Office of the Embassy of Los Angeles is really as fast as the legend. After saying thank you, drive away. I forgot to mention that the parking meter at the entrance of the embassy is really cheap. Twenty-five cents for an hour, and the parking meter in front of my unit can only stop for eight minutes for 25 cents. The whole process takes 30 minutes. On my way back to school, I want to find a post office. It's hard to find, and the traffic is too chaotic. Forget it. Go to a big post office next to my familiar school. Well, it was 10 mile again, but it took 1 hour this time. I arrived at the post office at 4: 30 and sent the registered letter to DOS, because I wanted to track when others received it, so as not to lose myself. The post office says it's safest to register. I think it's 8 yuan. This registered letter only costs 2.4 yuan, plus postage of 3 stamps, which is more than 3 yuan (the money saved can be eaten for dinner). The post office said it should arrive in three days. Today is Thursday. It seems that we should arrive in Doss next Monday.

Everything's done. The rest will have to wait. In two days, J 1 abstained. Everything we need to do has been done. The rest depends on the embassy and DOS. Come back with good news.