J1 Rules & Regulations

Overview - About the Exchange Visitor Program

The Exchange Visitor Program is carried out under the provisions of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended. The purpose of the Act is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchanges. International educational and cultural exchanges are one of the most effective means of developing lasting and meaningful relationships. They provide an extremely valuable opportunity to experience the United States and our way of life. Foreign nationals come to the United States to participate in a wide variety of educational and cultural exchange programs.

The Exchange Visitor Program is administered by the Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The internet website for information on the Exchange Visitor Program is http://exchanges.state.gov/education/jexchanges. At the conclusion of their program Exchange Visitor program participants are expected to return to the home countries to utilize the experience and skills they have acquired while in the United States.
In carrying out the responsibilities of the Exchange Visitor Program, the Department designates public and private entities to act as exchange sponsors. Designated sponsoring organizations facilitate the entry of foreign nationals into the United States as exchange visitors to complete the objectives of one of the exchange visitor program categories, which are:
• Au pair
• Camp Counselor
• Student, college/university
• Student, secondary
• Government Visitor
• International Visitor (reserved for U.S. Department of State use)
• Alien physician
• Professor
• Research Scholar
• Short-term Scholar
• Specialist
• Summer work/travel
• Teacher
• Trainee

Each category of exchange has specific requirements and regulations. To learn about the foreign physician, au pair, camp counselor, summer work/travel, and trainee categories select Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Exchange Visitor Program, Private Sector Programs. See summer work/travel 12 month pilot program for Australians and New Zealanders.
To learn about the post secondary student, college/university student, professor, research scholar, short-term scholar, specialist, teacher and Government Visitor and International Visitor categories, select Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Exchange Visitor, Government Programs

A citizen of a foreign country, who wishes to enter the United States, generally must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. The type of visa you must have is defined by immigration law, and relates to the purpose of your travel.

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) provides the exchange visitor (J) nonimmigrant visa category for persons who are approved to participate in exchange visitor programs in the United States. This means that before you can apply at an American Embassy or Consulate for a J visa you must apply, meet the requirements, and be accepted for one of the Exchange Visitor Program categories through a designated sponsoring organization. If you are accepted as a participant in an exchange program, the sponsor will provide you with information and documents necessary to apply for the J visa to enter the United States. Changes introduced shortly after September 11, 2001 involve extensive and ongoing review of visa issuing practices as they relate to our national security. Visa applications are now subject to a greater degree of scrutiny than in the past. Applicants affected by these procedures are informed of the need for additional screening at the time they submit their applications. So it is important to apply for your visa well in advance of your travel departure date.

A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to the United States port-of entry, and request permission from the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, U.S. immigration inspector to enter the United States. A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States.

Qualifying for an Exchange Visitor Visa
The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) is very specific with regard to the requirements, which must be met by applicants to qualify for the exchange visitor (J) visa. The consular officer will determine whether you qualify for the visa. Applicants must demonstrate that they properly meet the requirements to be issued an exchange visitor visa, including the following:
• That they plan to remain in the U.S. for a temporary, specific, limited period;
• Evidence of funds to cover expenses in the United States;
• Evidence of compelling social and economic ties abroad; and other binding ties which will insure their return abroad at the end of the visit.

The J-1 Visa allows participants to:

• Undertake an Internship or Training program for up to 18 months
• Obtain a Social Security Number
• Obtain a driver's license

The J-1 Visa Does Not Allow the Participants to:

• Change their host property (As long as the candidates are treated appropriately and receiving the internship or training suggested, they are required by the terms of their visa to stay employed with their property.)
• Extend their Internship or training program beyond the maximum set period (12 months for the Internship and Training program and 18 months for the Management Training Program.)
• Gain employment outside of the original training program

The J-1 Visa:

• The Candidate has the possibility to obtain a J-1 Intern Visa several times provided he/she meets all requirements and remain enrolled in school or University or he/she is graduate for less than one year prior starting date.
• The Candidate has the possibility to apply for a 12 to 18-month J-1 Training Visa after completion of one or more J-1 Internships provided he/she meets the requirements and has remained out of the US for a minimum period of two years after completion of the last J-1 Internship.
• The Candidate has the possibility to apply for another 12 to 18-month J-1 Training Visa after completion of a J-1 Training Visa provided he/she still meets the requirements and has remained out of the US for a minimum period of two years after completion of the first J-1 Training Visa. The Training Plan must show evidence of the need for the candidates to be trained a second time in the US.

J-1 Visa Minimum Requirements

The basic requirements to qualify for our J-1 Management Training program are stricter than those set forth by the U.S. government. Please review the differences in the table below:

Programs Regular Requirements

J1 18 Months Management Training Program - The Candidate must already have a degree or professional certificate from a foreign post-secondary academic institution and at least one year of prior related work experience outside the United States in the same department or division.

- The Candidate must have sufficient English skills to function on a day-to day basis in his program environment.
J1 12 Months Enhanced Training Program - The Candidate must already have a degree or professional certificate from a foreign post-secondary academic institution and at least one year of prior related work experience outside the United States in its occupational field.

- The Candidate must have sufficient English skills to function on a day-to day basis in his program environment.
J1 4- to 2 Months Internship Programs - The candidate must be currently enrolled in and pursuing studies at a degree or certificate granting post secondary academic institution; Or graduated from such an institution no more than 12 months prior to his exchange.

- The Candidate must have sufficient English skills to function on a day-to-day basis in his program environment.

All trainees that enter the United States under a J-1 Visa are considered exchange visitors in the USA. Exchange visitors must also have health insurance that covers repatriation. Not all overseas insurance policies include this and you must have it to enter the U.S. The prices included herein are all inclusive of the insurance that is necessary to participate in this program.
For more information about the J-1 Visa, please visit http://www.uscis.gov, http://travel.state.gov/ or http://exchanges.state.gov/education/jexchanges/



Overview - About the Exchange Visitor Program The Exchange Visitor Program is carried out under the provisions of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended. The purpose of the Act is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchanges. International educational and cultural exchanges are one of the most effective means of developing lasting and meaningful relationships. They provide an extremely valuable opportunity to experience the United States and our way of life. Foreign nationals come to the United States to participate in a wide variety of educational and cultural exchange programs. The Exchange Visitor Program is administered by the Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The internet website for information on the Exchange Visitor Program is http://exchanges.state.gov/education/jexchanges. At the conclusion of their program Exchange Visitor program participants are expected to return to the home countries to utilize the experience and skills they have acquired while in the United States. In carrying out the responsibilities of the Exchange Visitor Program, the Department designates public and private entities to act as exchange sponsors. Designated sponsoring organizations facilitate the entry of foreign nationals into the United States as exchange visitors to complete the objectives of one of the exchange visitor program categories, which are: • Au pair • Camp Counselor • Student, college/university • Student, secondary • Government Visitor • International Visitor (reserved for U.S. Department of State use) • Alien physician • Professor • Research Scholar • Short-term Scholar • Specialist • Summer work/travel • Teacher • Trainee Each category of exchange has specific requirements and regulations. To learn about the foreign physician, au pair, camp counselor, summer work/travel, and trainee categories select Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Exchange Visitor Program, Private Sector Programs. See summer work/travel 12 month pilot program for Australians and New Zealanders. To learn about the post secondary student, college/university student, professor, research scholar, short-term scholar, specialist, teacher and Government Visitor and International Visitor categories, select Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Exchange Visitor, Government Programs A citizen of a foreign country, who wishes to enter the United States, generally must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. The type of visa you must have is defined by immigration law, and relates to the purpose of your travel. The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) provides the exchange visitor (J) nonimmigrant visa category for persons who are approved to participate in exchange visitor programs in the United States. This means that before you can apply at an American Embassy or Consulate for a J visa you must apply, meet the requirements, and be accepted for one of the Exchange Visitor Program categories through a designated sponsoring organization. If you are accepted as a participant in an exchange program, the sponsor will provide you with information and documents necessary to apply for the J visa to enter the United States. Changes introduced shortly after September 11, 2001 involve extensive and ongoing review of visa issuing practices as they relate to our national security. Visa applications are now subject to a greater degree of scrutiny than in the past. Applicants affected by these procedures are informed of the need for additional screening at the time they submit their applications. So it is important to apply for your visa well in advance of your travel departure date. A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to the United States port-of entry, and request permission from the Department of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection, U.S. immigration inspector to enter the United States. A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States. Qualifying for an Exchange Visitor Visa The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) is very specific with regard to the requirements, which must be met by applicants to qualify for the exchange visitor (J) visa. The consular officer will determine whether you qualify for the visa. Applicants must demonstrate that they properly meet the requirements to be issued an exchange visitor visa, including the following: • That they plan to remain in the U.S. for a temporary, specific, limited period; • Evidence of funds to cover expenses in the United States; • Evidence of compelling social and economic ties abroad; and other binding ties which will insure their return abroad at the end of the visit. The J-1 Visa allows participants to: • Undertake an Internship or Training program for up to 18 months • Obtain a Social Security Number • Obtain a driver's license The J-1 Visa Does Not Allow the Participants to: • Change their host property (As long as the candidates are treated appropriately and receiving the internship or training suggested, they are required by the terms of their visa to stay employed with their property.) • Extend their Internship or training program beyond the maximum set period (12 months for the Internship and Training program and 18 months for the Management Training Program.) • Gain employment outside of the original training program The J-1 Visa: • The Candidate has the possibility to obtain a J-1 Intern Visa several times provided he/she meets all requirements and remain enrolled in school or University or he/she is graduate for less than one year prior starting date. • The Candidate has the possibility to apply for a 12 to 18-month J-1 Training Visa after completion of one or more J-1 Internships provided he/she meets the requirements and has remained out of the US for a minimum period of two years after completion of the last J-1 Internship. • The Candidate has the possibility to apply for another 12 to 18-month J-1 Training Visa after completion of a J-1 Training Visa provided he/she still meets the requirements and has remained out of the US for a minimum period of two years after completion of the first J-1 Training Visa. The Training Plan must show evidence of the need for the candidates to be trained a second time in the US. J-1 Visa Minimum Requirements The basic requirements to qualify for our J-1 Management Training program are stricter than those set forth by the U.S. government. Please review the differences in the table below: Programs Regular Requirements J1 18 Months Management Training Program - The Candidate must already have a degree or professional certificate from a foreign post-secondary academic institution and at least one year of prior related work experience outside the United States in the same department or division. - The Candidate must have sufficient English skills to function on a day-to day basis in his program environment. J1 12 Months Enhanced Training Program - The Candidate must already have a degree or professional certificate from a foreign post-secondary academic institution and at least one year of prior related work experience outside the United States in its occupational field. - The Candidate must have sufficient English skills to function on a day-to day basis in his program environment. J1 4- to 2 Months Internship Programs - The candidate must be currently enrolled in and pursuing studies at a degree or certificate granting post secondary academic institution; Or graduated from such an institution no more than 12 months prior to his exchange. - The Candidate must have sufficient English skills to function on a day-to-day basis in his program environment. All trainees that enter the United States under a J-1 Visa are considered exchange visitors in the USA. Exchange visitors must also have health insurance that covers repatriation. Not all overseas insurance policies include this and you must have it to enter the U.S. The prices included herein are all inclusive of the insurance that is necessary to participate in this program. For more information about the J-1 Visa, please visit http://www.uscis.gov, http://travel.state.gov/ or http://exchanges.state.gov/education/jexchanges/