Common Questions for Participants

You can find the list of interested sponsors and points of contact here: https://j1visa.state.gov/programs/early-career-stem-research-initiative/#get-started

The State Department has activated a helpline to ensure the health and safety of all exchange participants. Participants, or anyone concerned about a participant, can contact the State Department at any time via the hotline 1-866-283-9090 or at jvisas@state.gov.

Among other prohibitions, no sponsor may threaten program termination, or otherwise retaliate against a participant solely because he or she has instituted a complaint or taken action to gain assistance from an outside entity regarding a complaint.

Yes, college and university student sponsors have the discretion to approve requests for temporary disruption of studies on a case-by-case basis provided that exchange visitors meet their individual institutions’ criteria.

The Exchange Visitor Program regulations for the College/University Student category offers foreign students the opportunity to study in the United States at a post-secondary accredited academic institution.  Except during official breaks (e.g., academic calendar summer break), exchange visitors must conduct their program activities, whether in-person or virtual, within the United States.  However, in the rare circumstance when a college and university student exchange visitor has a medical necessity to temporarily return home with the intention to continue their program in the United States, sponsors have the discretion to approve this temporary interruption to studies as long as the post-secondary student/exchange visitor maintains funding and health insurance for the duration of their program.  Additionally, the exchange visitor must present the Responsible Officer a written statement from a physician recommending an interruption or reduction in studies per 22 CFR 62.23(e)(2) and specifying the need for remote study from abroad.  The sponsor has the discretion to approve or deny a student’s request for temporary remote study; a sponsor should use this discretion sparingly.  If the sponsor approves the exchange visitor’s request, the exchange visitor must obtain a travel validation signature on their Form DS-2019 prior to international travel.  As a reminder, all serious injuries and illnesses that impact an exchange visitor’s program should be reported to the Office of Private Sector Exchange Program Administration (OPA).

If an exchange visitor needs to temporarily return home for medical care and cannot return to the U.S. to resume program activities, the sponsor must shorten the exchange visitor’s program end date using the “Medical Emergency and/or Health of Exchange Visitor” drop-down option in SEVIS.

As a reminder, effective July 1, 2023, ECA ended its temporary modifications of the Exchange Visitor Program in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.  All ECA exchange programs are expected to comply with category regulations of 22 CFR Part 62, which encompass predominantly in-person program activities.  Please see: Guidance Directive 2023-01 Exchange visitor participation in host organizations’ remote policies or enrollment in online classes.  This Guidance Directive supersedes any prior guidance on this topic.

Yes, your program sponsor may extend your program up to its maximum length. If an extension is granted, a new Form DS-2019 will be issued to you reflecting the change.

More information is available on the adjustments and extensions page.

The wait time for an interview and processing for a Exchange Visitor Visa varies from country to country and is based on your individual circumstances.  Learn more about interview wait and processing times by visiting www.travel.state.gov.  We encourage you to apply as soon as possible.  Please note that exchange visitors beginning new programs may not enter the United States more than 30 days before their program start date.

The Exchange Visitor Program fosters global understanding through educational and cultural exchanges.  All exchange visitors are expected to return to their home country upon completion of their program in order to share their exchange experiences.

Once you obtain a Form DS-2019 from a Sponsor, you may apply for an exchange visitor visa at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in your country of residence.  Also, if you are married, your spouse and any children can apply for an exchange visitor (J-2) visa when you apply, or join you after you are in the United States if the exchange category in which you are participating permits an accompanying spouse and/or dependents (i.e. regulations prohibit an accompanying spouse in the categories of Camp Counselor, Summer Work Travel, Au pair and Secondary School Student).   In some cases an individual sponsor’s program will not permit a spouse or dependents to accompany their participants.  If you are married and/or have dependents who you wish to bring to the United States with you, inquire about this issue when seeking a sponsor.

Your current Exchange Visitor Visa is ONLY applicable for your current exchange program and under your current program sponsor. Upon completion of your current Exchange Visitor Program, you are expected to depart the United States.

If you intend to pursue a 2nd exchange program (in a different category and with a different sponsor), you will need to apply for a new Exchange Visitor Visa for your new exchange program and new sponsor – in order to reenter the U.S. for the 2nd program.

You may not arrive more than 30 days before the program start date shown on your DS-2019.  Upon completion of your exchange program, you have a grace period of 30 days to depart the United States.

If your visa has expired and you do not plan to travel outside of the U.S., you do not need to renew the visa.

Please be aware that if you travel outside of the United States during your current exchange visitor program and after your J-1 visa has expired, you must apply for a new J-1 visa in your home country in order to re-enter the United States to continue your program.

Your sponsor is responsible for assisting and advising you on all matters relating to your J-1 program, including authorizing travel outside of the U.S. and ensuring that your J-1 non-immigrant documents are valid at all times.

If your sponsor terminates your participation in their exchange program for just cause, the sponsor will enter this information into SEVIS and you will be expected to depart the United States immediately. You will not be entitled to the post-completion 30-day period because you did not successfully complete your program.

You should contact the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The State Department has activated a helpline to ensure the health and safety of its exchange participants. Among other prohibitions, no sponsor may threaten program termination, or otherwise retaliate against a participant solely because he or she has instituted a complaint or taken action to gain assistance from an outside entity regarding a complaint. Participants can contact the State Department at any time via the hotline 1-866-283-9090 or at jvisas@state.gov.

Contact your designated sponsor, whose name and telephone number are listed on Form DS-2019.

You should contact your J-1 program sponsor. Your sponsor is responsible for assisting and advising you on all matters regarding your J-1 exchange visitor program.

You should contact your designated sponsor and the Social Security Administration.

Yes, the regulations are set forth at Code of Federal Regulations, Title 22:  Foreign Relations, Part 62.

• Form DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility) issued by your program sponsor
• Other supporting documents – check the specific embassy or consulate website
• Passport valid for travel to the United States
• Completed Online Form DS-160, nonimmigrant visa application
• Fee receipt showing payment of the $140 visa application fee
• 2×2 photograph, meeting format requirements

For more information about Exchange Visitor Visas, please see the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ exchange visitor visa website. For detailed information about how to make a visa interview appointment at an embassy or consulate, how to pay the application processing fee and more, go to the visa information on the U.S. embassy or consulate website where you will apply for your visa.

A SEVIS-generated Form DS-2019 is required when applying for the J-1 Visa.  The DS-2019 is a controlled form provided to you by your program sponsor.   It documents your acceptance to an exchange program sponsored by a State Department designated Exchange Visitor Program sponsor.

Designated sponsors are authorized to issue Form DS-2019 to prospective or current exchange visitors they select for their program.

An Exchange Visitor Visa holder is only allowed to perform the activity listed on his/her Form DS-2019 and as stated in the regulations for that category of exchange.

The addresses listed in the Designated Sponsors List are the official locations of the designated sponsor organizations. Many sponsors can place participants anywhere in the United States, regardless of their official location. Please consult with the individual sponsor for details.

Yes. The State Department designates U.S. government, academic and private sector entities to conduct educational and cultural exchange programs. To participate in the Exchange Visitor Program, foreign nationals must be sponsored by one of the State Department-designated sponsors.

The program sponsors are responsible for screening and selecting eligible foreign nationals for participation in their designated exchange visitor program, as well as supporting and monitoring exchange visitors during their stay in the United States.

Refer to the list of designated sponsors and their programs.

A J-1 holder may only perform the activity listed on his/her Form DS-2019, or as provided for in the regulations for the specific category for which entry was obtained and with the approval of the Sponsor’s Responsible or Alternate Responsible Officer.

Detailed information and access to the online waiver application is available on these Bureau of Consular Affairs’ websites:

• J-Visa Waiver Division
• Waiver of the Exchange Visitor Two-Year Home-Country Physical Presence Requirement

When you agree to participate in an Exchange Visitor Program you will be subject to the two-year home-country foreign residency requirement if your exchange program is funded by either your government or the U.S. government, involves fields of specialized knowledge or skills designated by the Department of State as clearly required by your home country or you received graduate medical training. If this requirement applies, you must return to your home country for a cumulative total of two years at the end of your exchange visitor program. You are not prohibited from traveling to the United States but may not benefit from certain employment-based or family-based visas until the foreign residency requirement is satisfied.

Check with your sponsor for detailed information about taxes.