An exchange visitor (J-1) visa is appropriate if you are going to the U.S. as part of an officially approved program sponsored by an educational or other nonprofit institution.
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;
- 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 fields; and
International visitors coming for the purpose of traveling, observing, consulting, conducting research, training, sharing, or demonstrating specialized knowledge or skills, or participating in organized people-to-people programs.
In addition, there are several exchange visitor programs for young people, including summer employment programs, intern programs for university students, and au-pair programs. These programs are designated by the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
To obtain an exchange visitor visa you must demonstrate:
- Acceptance into a designated exchange visitor program, which will issue you a SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) compliant form DS-2019 "Certificate of Eligibility." You must have this form in order to receive your visa; however, the DS-2019 form does not guarantee the issuance of the J visa.
- You must pay the $100 SEVIS Fee before applying for a visa.
- Sufficient funds to cover your expenses. If the sponsoring organization in the United States or your organization in Haiti will cover your expenses, please bring a sponsorship letter from them.
- Adequate English language skills.
- Strong ties to Haiti and indications that you will leave the United States upon completion of your program.
Graduate Medical Education or Training:
Exchange visitors coming under the "J" program for graduate medical education or training must meet certain special requirements. These requirements include passing the USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination), demonstrating competency in English, being automatically subject to the two-year foreign residence requirement (after completion of their program), and being subject to time limits on the duration of their program. For further information, please visit http://www.ecfmg.org/. Physicians coming to the United States on exchange visitor programs for the purpose of observation, consultation, teaching, or conducting research in which there is little or no patient care are not subject to the above requirements.
Science and Technology Course of Study:
Applicants who are going to the U.S. to follow a science or technology-related course of study must bring additional documents with them to the interview:
Complete Curriculum Vitae or resume;
Complete list of publications, if applicable;
Complete statement research, if applicable.
IMPORTANT NOTICE: As a former exchange visitor, you may not be issued a fiancé(e), temporary worker or intracompany transferee visa until you have resided and been physically present in Haiti for at least two years following the completion of your exchange visitor program if one or more of the following conditions applies:
- The program was financed by the United States government or the Haitian government; or
- You are a national or resident of a country which the Secretary of State has designated as clearly requiring the services of people in the field of specialized knowledge or skills in which you were engaged during the exchange visitor program; or
- You are a physician who entered the United States to receive medical education or training (except for programs involving exclusively teaching research or consultation).
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J-1 Training Programs:
While the J-1 training program may contain a small portion of productive work normally performed by a regular employee, the primary focus of the program must be training and skill development. The trainee may not replace or augment the regular staff by filling a position that would otherwise be held by a regular employee. Providing a detailed training plan is helpful in determining eligibility.
Spouses and Children:
Spouses and/or children under the age of 21 may obtain a derivative J-2 visa to reside with you in the U.S. Each applicant needs a separate DS-2019 form. If your family members apply after your visa has been issued, they must include a copy of your visa with their application. Spouses and/or children who do not intend to reside in the United States with you, but visit for vacations only, may be eligible to apply for a tourist visa.
Employment: The spouse and/or children of an exchange visitor in the U.S. may not seek employment in J-2 status. If employment is necessary due to unforeseen economic hardship, employment authorization must be granted by DHS, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
Study: 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 applying for a student (F-1) visa or changing to F-1 status.
When to apply:
Exchange visitors can apply for a J-1 visa at any time as long as the Form DS-2019 is valid.
Entry and Length of Stay:
Exchange visitors may not enter the United States earlier than 30 days before the initial program start date. Applicants continuing on an exchange visitors program are not subject to this restriction.
The holder of an exchange visitor J-1 may remain in the U.S. for up to 30 days after the program completion date listed on the DS-2019.
WHAT AN EXCHANGE VISITOR CAN EXPECT UPON ARRIVAL A U.S. PORT OF ENTRY
USCIS Exchange Visitor Information
Student and Exchange Visitors Program, or SEVP on the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website.
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