| J Exchange Visitor Visas |
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The J-1 visa is available if a foreign national is coming to the U.S. as a foreign student, scholar, trainee, teacher, professor, research assistant, medical graduate, or international visitor, or an industrial, or business trainee to participate in a program specifically approved by the U.S. Department of State. The sponsoring employer must first obtained approval of an exchange visitor program by the Department of State. The J-1 exchange visitor may accept employment in the U.S. The Department of State website can be accessed for updated information about exchange visitor programs at http://exchanges.state.gov.
There is a special provision involved in the J-1 visa. Some of J-1 visitors may be subject to a stipulated two-year foreign residence requirement. This means that if the exchange visitor wants to apply to change his non-immigrant visa category or for an adjustment of status, with some exceptions, he is required to spend two-years in his home country before becoming eligible to do so.
Waiver of the two-year foreign residence requirement is available in limited situations but is a complex area of law. |
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| Family Members: |
| The J-1 visa holder's spouse and unmarried children, who are under twenty-one (21) years of age are eligible for the J-2 visa and may stay in the U.S. The spouse of the J-1 visa holder may be authorized to work in the U.S. with special prior permission from the USCIS. |
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| Validity Period: |
| The validity of J-1 visa depends upon the type of program in which the visitor is admitted to the U.S. The maximum period of stay varies as per the exchange visitor category. |
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| Necessary Documentation Required for the J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa: |
- Certificate of eligibility by the sponsoring organization.
- Evidence showing the foreign national’s eligibility and qualifications to join the chosen program.
- Evidence showing the exchange visitor’s ties and relationship with family members staying back home or any other evidence that shows intent to return back to his home country.
- Evidence of the foreign national’s ability to bear expenses for the program; such as bank statements or financial documents.
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| For additional information about our ability to help, prepare, and file all the necessary documents required to apply for the J-1Exchange Visitor Visa, contact us for reliable advice. |
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| At The Ahluwalia Firm, our emphasis is on: |
- providing zealous representation before the USCIS
- delivering value for money, ensuring seamless processing of your visa petition/application
- providing careful review of your personal circumstances
- providing dependable advice and assistance on how to present yourself at the interview
- ensuring a service-delivery model that meets and exceeds your satisfaction
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| Source: www.uscis.gov |
