Addis To America

Come as an Exchange Visitor

What is it?

This visa is supposed to help the applicant gain new skills, learn about the U.S. and its culture, and bring that experience back to his or her home country.

Qualification

  • The applicant must be proficient in English.
  • The applicant, spouse, and underage children, if they are coming along, must have medical insurance.
  • The applicant must have strong ties to his or her home country to prove he or she will return after the completion of the program.

What are the steps?

  1. The applicant must locate a sponsoring organization at https://j1visa.state.gov. Unless it is a federally funded exchange program, sponsoring organizations charge fees and it varies according to the program. The J-1 visa has 15 categories:
    • Au Pair
    • Camp Counselor
    • College and University Student
    • Secondary School Student
    • Government Visitor
    • International Visitor
    • Physician
    • Professor
    • Research Scholar
    • Short-Term Scholar
    • Specialist
    • Summer Work Travel
    • Teacher
    • Trainee
    • Intern
  2. Once the applicant has found a sponsor, applied, and been selected for sponsorship, the sponsor will help place the applicant into a suitable program. The sponsor will issue the DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status. The document will identify the applicant, the sponsoring organization, the category of exchange, a description of the program, the start and end dates, and the costs. If it is an internship or training program, the sponsor will provide Form DS-7002, A Training/Internship Placement Plan.
  3. The applicant will then apply for a nonimmigrant visa through the DS-160.
  4. The applicant will pay the SEVIS I-109 fee to the Department of Homeland Security. Sometimes the sponsoring organization pays for this as part of the exchange program. If the organization pays the fee, ask for the receipt.
  5. Pay the nonimmigrant visa application processing fee of $185 and schedule the visa interview. If the exchange is sponsored by the U.S. government, the applicant does not have to pay this fee.
  6. Go to the interview at the embassy and bring:
    1. DS-2019 Form, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status
    2. Form DS-7002, A Training/Internship Placement Plan (for exchange visitor trainees, or intern visa applicants)
    3. Form DS-160 confirmation page.
    4. The visa payment confirmation page.
    5. SEVIS I-109 receipt.
    6. A passport valid for travel to the U.S with validity six months after the intended period of stay in the US
    7. One 2×2 photograph
    8. Supporting documents that prove that the applicant has the funds to pay for the program and to support himself or herself. Other documents to prove that the applicant has strong ties to show that the intent is to return back home after the completion of the program.
  7. If granted, the applicant may enter the U.S. 30 days before the program start and must leave within 30 days of the program’s end.

Working in the U.S.

The J-1 applicant is only authorized to perform the activities outlined in the DS-2019 Form. The spouse of the J-1 applicant will get a J-2 visa and may apply for employment authorization to work in the U.S. The children of J-1 applicants will also get a J-2 visa and they may enroll in university courses and in public primary and secondary schools.

Living in the U.S.

The sponsoring organization should let the applicant know about living arrangements and what the applicant will be expected to pay and the costs.

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