| - Types of Visas - |
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For information specific to each visa type, click on the links below. |
Exchange Visitor Visas
Exchange Visitor Applicants (J-1)
Exchange visitor applicants must be interviewed by a consular officer as part of the visa application process. The waiting time for an interview appointment for applicants can vary, so apply early. If you are authorized by your sponsor to be accompanied by your spouse (husband or wife) and children, they will also be given a Form DS-2019 and they can apply at the same time. You may apply for your visa any time before the beginning of your exchange program.
What is Needed to Apply for an Exchange Visitor Visa?
Applicants must demonstrate to the consular officer that they have binding ties to a residence in a foreign country which they have no intention of abandoning, and that they are coming to the United States for a temporary period. It is impossible to specify the exact form the evidence should take since applicants' circumstances vary greatly.
My Visa Has Been Issued- When Can I Travel to the U.S.?
Exchange visitors and their dependents cannot enter the U.S. more than 30 days in advance of the applicant's program start date as shown on the Form DS-2019. Please consider this date carefully when making travel plans to the U.S. Immigration officers may deny you entry into the United States at your expense if you attempt to enter more that 30 days before your program start date. The 30-day limitation does not apply to current exchange participants who are returning to continue with their exchange program.
What About My Spouse and Children?
Spouses and/or children under the age of 21 who wish to accompany or join the principal exchange visitor (J) visa holder in the United States for the duration of his/her stay require exchange visitor visas (derivative J visas). 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 and who will each be issued their own Form DS-2019. This form is used to obtain the required visa and the spouse and dependents can enter the U.S. at the same time as the principal exchange visitor or at a later date.
Can My Dependents Work or Study in the U.S.?
The spouse and/or children of an exchange visitor in the U.S. may not work in J-2 status.
The spouse and/or children of an exchange visitor visa holder who are in the U.S. on an exchange visitor visa may study in the U.S. without also being required to apply for a student (F-1) visa or change to F-1 status.
Spouses and/or children who do not intend to reside in the United States with the principal visa holder, but visit for vacations only, should apply for regular visitor visas (B1/B2).
Can My Family Members Join Me Later?
The spouse and children can also apply for visas after the principal applicant has already traveled. In general, they must present the following:
Spouses and children of exchange visitors may not enter the United States before the principal visitor enters for the first time.
What Is the Two-Year Foreign Residency Requirement?
An exchange visitor is subject to INA 212(e) requirement, if the following conditions exist:
If the exchange visitor is subject to INA 212(e) requirement, he or she cannot change his or status to that of H, L, K, or immigrant lawful permanent resident (LPR) until he or she has returned to his/her home country for at least two-years or received a waiver of that requirement.
How Long am I Permitted to Stay in the U.S. After My Program Ends?
The initial admission of an exchange visitor, spouse and children may not exceed the period specified on Form DS-2019, plus a period of 30 days for the purpose of travel. The 30-day grace or travel status period is intended to be a period following the end of the exchange visitor's program and is to be used for domestic travel and/or to prepare for and depart from the U.S., and for no other purpose. A spouse or child (J-2 visa holder) may not be admitted for longer than the principal exchange visitor (J-1 visa holder).