Exchange
Visitor Visa (J Visa)
Cultural
Exchange Visitor Visas: J VisasThe Immigration and
Nationality Act provides two nonimmigrant visa categories
for persons to participate in exchange visitor programs
in the United States. The "J" visa is for educational
and cultural exchange programs designated by the Bureau
of Public Diplomacy in the Department of State and
the "Q" visa is for international cultural exchange
programs designated by the United States Citizenship
and Immigration Services (USCIS).
The "J" exchange
visitor program is designed to promote the interchange
of persons, knowledge, and skills in the fields of
education, arts, and sciences. Participants include
students at all academic levels; trainees obtaining
on-the-job training with firms, institutions, and
agencies; au pairs or nannies; teachers of primary,
secondary, and specialized schools; professors coming
to teach or do research at institutions of higher
learning; research scholars; professional trainees
in the medical and allied health fields; and international
visitors coming for the purpose of travel, observation,
consultation, research, training, sharing, or demonstrating
specialized knowledge or skills, or participating
in organized people-to-people programs.
The
Q Visa and International cultural exchange program
is for the purpose of providing practical training,
employment, and the sharing of the history, culture,
and traditions of the participant's home country in
the United States.
Frequently Asked
Questions about the J visa
Overview -
About the Exchange Visitor ProgramThe Exchange Visitor
Program was implemented to increase mutual understanding
between the people of the United States and the people
of other countries by means of educational and cultural
exchanges. The Exchange Visitor Program is administered
by the
Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation in
the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
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 US State 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.
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.
Overview –
About the Exchange Visitor Visa
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. REMEMBER: A visa does
not guarantee entry into the United States.
Click
HERE to read our page of frequently asked questions
and see if you qualify for the Exchange Visitor Visa
(J Visa). |
