FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (Updated on 01/04/2023) We share your concerns for everyone’s health, safety, and welfare and the situation regarding COVID-19 as it continues to evolve. Please follow the links below for the latest guidance for Exchange Visitor Program sponsors and participants. VIEW ARCHIVED FAQs FOR J-1 VISA APPLICANTS/SELECTEES (Updated 5/1/20) Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, can the requirement for the “Statement of Need” (SoN) letter for J-1 Alien Physicians be waived? Public Law 94-484, as reflected at 22 CFR 62.27(b)(6), requires that alien physician applicants provide SoN letters from the governments of the countries of their most recent legal…
FOR SPONSORS (Updated 7/7/2020) 07.02.2020 Communication to Sponsors Presidential Proclamation (PDF) 06.27.2020 Communications to Sponsor 60 Day Extensions to Return to Countries with Closed Borders (PDF) (PDF) 06.22.2020 Communication to Student Intern Sponsors Extensions for Time Off-Program (PDF) 05.29.2020 Communication to Sponsors 60 Day Extensions for Return to Countries with Closed Borders (PDF) 05.21.2020 Communication to Intern and Trainee Sponsors Extensions for Time Off-Program (PDF) 05.21.2020 Communication to Au Pair Sponsors Six Month Extensions for Second Year Au Pairs (PDF) 05.07.2020 Communication to Teacher Sponsors: One-year teacher extensions beyond the maximum duration (PDF) 4.06.2020 Communication to Secondary School Student…
Required Documentation When applying, each visa applicant must submit to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate the following: DS 2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status. A SEVIS-generated Form, DS-2019, is provided to you by your program sponsor, after the sponsor enters your information in the SEVIS system. All exchange visitors, including their spouses and dependents must be registered in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). 2011 Pilot Summer Work Travel Program participants' Form DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status, will be sent by your U.S. program sponsor directly to the U.S. embassy or consulate where…
Sponsors screen and select their program participants according to the eligibility criteria for each program category. Some categories require that a personal interview be part of the screening and selection process. In addition to program-specific criteria, all participants must satisfy English language proficiency and insurance requirements. Sponsors are to provide participants with pre-arrival information prior to their departure from their home countries and an orientation upon their arrival in the United States. Sponsors are also required to monitor the progress and welfare of the participants for the duration of their programs. English Language Proficiency Participants must possess sufficient proficiency in…
Who is eligible? Eligibility for a J-2 Visa depends on the specific exchange program being offered to the J-1 non-immigrant by a sponsor organizations. The exchange categories of au pair, camp counselor, secondary school student and summer work travel do not permit J-2 Visas. In addition, although some categories allow for spouses and/or dependents to accompany a J-1 Visa holder, there are specific programs that do not. How can I apply? The application procedure is the same as that for a primary visa applicant. The sponsor must approve the accompaniment of the spouse and/or children who will each be issued…
Many different visa categories permit nonimmigrants to travel to the United States. Nonimmigrant international students usually enter the United States using one of three visa types: F-1, J-1 or M-1. Each visa category is defined by its purpose for travel to the United States. F-1 Visa The F-1 Visa is for students attending a full-time degree or academic program at a school, college or university. The F-1 Visa is valid for as long as it takes the student to finish his or her course of study. An F-1 Visa also allows students to work on campus and in some situations…
A Leap of Faith Fiona Griffin is an Irish BridgeUSA alum who spent two summers as a camp counselor in Wisconsin. On this National Camp Day, read about Fiona’s remarkable journey of self-discovery as a retiree on a J-1 visa. What inspired you to become a camp counsellor in the U.S.? I became a camp counselor for the first time in 2022 and again in 2023. It was due to the culmination of a few things that happened in my life. Firstly, my employer informed me that I had to retire on my 66th birthday, April 2022. It was a…
View Step-by-Step Guide on How to Apply to Exchange Visitor Program Learn about the application process Read about J-1 Visa's eligibility requirements Choose a J-1 Visa program Find a program sponsor Obtain a DS-2019 form Receive the J-1 Visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy Learn about participants' experiences Current J-1 Visa Holders Extend program stay Transfer programs Learn about J-1 Visa rules Safety and Security on Your Exchange Visitor Program If you have concerns or issues that your U.S. sponsor has not resolved, or you find you cannot reach your sponsor, please contact the Department of State through our…
Video Transcript Slide #1 Welcome to Part II of the SEVIS training for new sponsor officials. In the first presentation, Part I, we discussed both the Program Information and the Exchange Visitor Information pages. We explained the stages exchange visitors go through during their stay in the Unites States on the J-1 visa, and how their SEVIS records are affected. We also showed how to create an exchange visitor record. In this part, Part II, we will show how to maintain exchange visitor records. This includes viewing records in Initial status and what actions can be performed in this status.…
Video Transcript Slide #1 Welcome to Part III of the SEVIS Training for New Sponsor Officials. In the first presentation, Part I, we discussed both the Program Information and the Exchange Visitor Information page. We explained the stages exchange visitors go through during their stay in the United States on the J-1 visa, and how their SVIS records are affected. We also showed how to create an exchange visitor record. In the second presentation, or Part II, we described how to maintain records that have already been created. This includes looking at records in both Initial and Active status, and…
