J-1 Visa for Exchange Visitors

The B-1 business visitor visa is available to visitors seeking short-term entry into the U.S. for business purposes such as official visits, attend meetings and training programs, close business deals etc.

• Who is eligible

• How to Apply

• Duration of J1 visa

• Benefits of J1 Visa

• Limitations in J1 Visa

Who is eligible

The J1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa which allows foreign nationals to enter the U.S. to participate in exchange programs to promote the sharing of knowledge and skills in education, arts and sciences.

J-1 visas are of two types:

• J-1 visas that do not have a restriction known as 'Home Residency Requirement' (HRR) .
• J-1 visas that have the HRR restriction .

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How to Apply

Applicants eligible for J-1 visa are:

• Students at all academic levels .
• Trainees obtaining on-the-job training with firms,institutions, and agencies.
• Teachers of primary, secondary, and specialized schools .
• Professors coming to teach or do research at institutions of higher learning .
• Research scholars .
• Professional trainees in the medical and allied fields .
• International visitors coming for the purpose of travel, observation, consultation, research, training, sharing, or demonstrating specialized knowledge or skills, or participating in organized people-to-people programs .

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Duration for J1 Visa    

When you enter the U.S. on an exchange visitor visa, you will usually be admitted for the duration of your program. The final decision on how long you may stay in the U.S. is made by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Inspector at the port of entry/airport.         

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Benefits of J1 Visa   

On J-1 visa, you may:

Enter the U.S. and participate in exchange visitor program approved by the U.S. Department of State .

Travel in and out of the U.S. or remain in the U.S. continuously till the completion of your exchange visitor program .

Apply for dependent visas for your spouse as well as unmarried dependant children under 21 .

Work legally in the U.S. if work is part of your approved program or if you receive permission to work from the official program sponsor .

Apply for and receive work permits for accompanying relatives .

 

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Limitations

On J-1 visa, you must:

• Restrict yourself to studying, working or other wise participating in the special exchange program for which your visa has been approved .
• First be accepted as a participant in the program approved by the DOS before you apply for J-1 visa .
• Return to your home country for at least two years before you are permitted to get a Green Card or change to another nonimmigrant visa status. This is true if you are an exchange visitor participating in a certain type of program

 

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