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Frequently Asked Questions
General Questions about the Exchange Visitor Program (J-1 Visa Program)
What is the purpose of the Exchange Visitor Program (J-1 visa program)?
Are there regulations which govern the Exchange Visitor Program (J-1 visa program)?
What is the role and responsibility of the State Department’s Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation?
How can I contact the State Department’s Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation?
General Questions for Sponsors
How can my organization apply for designation as an Exchange Visitor Program sponsor?
Who are the State Department-designated Exchange Visitor Program sponsors?
What are some of the responsibilities and obligations of the State Department-designated Exchange Visitor Program sponsors?
Does the State Department recommend any of its Exchange Visitor Program designated sponsors?
What is SEVIS?
Are there SEVIS User Manuals?
Is there online help with SEVIS questions?
Is there a SEVIS Help Desk?
What are program sponsors’ responsibilities toward exchange visitor participants in the event of a national emergency or natural disaster in the United States?
What do I do if one of my exchange visitor’s Form DS 2019 is lost or stolen?
What do I do if one of my exchange visitors loses his/her passport?
What do I do when a dependent turns 21?
What is the Form DS-3036, “Update of Information on Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor”?
What is the Form DS-3037, “Application for Redesignation and/or Amendment”?
General Questions for Prospective Exchange Visitors
How can I participate in the Exchange Visitor Program (J-1 visa program)?
What is the Form DS-2019?
How can I obtain a Form DS-2019? (Also see FAQ “What is the Form DS-2019?”)
How do I apply for the J-1 visa?
What is the Form DS-7002?
How can I obtain the Form DS-7002? (Also see FAQ “What is the Form DS-7002?”)
How can I send a complaint against one of the Exchange Visitor Program designated sponsors to the State Department?
Where can I find information about the exchange programs funded by the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (such as The Fulbright Program or the FLEX Secondary School Exchange Program)?
Who should I contact regarding work visas or work authorizations in the United States?
What are the required visa fees for participating in the Exchange Visitor Program (obtaining a J-1 visa)?
Do all exchange visitors have to pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee?
What is the visa interview like?
Which documents are most important for the exchange visitor?
When can exchange visitors enter the United States prior to the start of their exchange program? And, when must exchange visitors depart the United States by after the completion of their exchange program?
How does an exchange visitor “Maintain Program Status”?
What does the notation “D/S” on the I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, mean?
Where can I find useful travel tips to the United States?
Where can I find information about the various visas types to travel to the United States?
General Questions from Current Exchange Visitor (J-1 Visa) Participants
Who should I contact about a problem I am having regarding my J-1 exchange visitor program?
Who should I contact about a problem I have with my Form DS-2019?
Who should I contact about a problem I have with my J-1 visa?
Who should I contact regarding my SEVIS registration?
Who should I contact about traveling outside of the United States during my J-1 exchange visitor program?
How long can I remain in the United States after my J-1 exchange visitor program ends?
What will happen to my J-1 visa status if I withdraw from my exchange visitor program?
What will happen to my J-1 visa status if my exchange visitor program sponsor terminates my exchange visitor program?
Will I have to pay taxes on my salary if I am working and receiving wages while on a J-1 visa?
How do I know if I am subject to the two-year foreign residency requirement (Section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act)?
How can I apply for a waiver of the two-year foreign residency requirement (Section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act)?
Who should I contact regarding problems I am having securing a Social Security card?
Who should I contact about changing my visa status while I am in the United States?
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General Questions about the Exchange Visitor Program (J-1 Visa Program)
What is the purpose of the Exchange Visitor Program (J-1 visa program)?
The Exchange Visitor Program is carried out pursuant to the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended. Its purpose is to foster mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries through educational and cultural exchanges. All exchanges visitors are expected to return to their home country upon completion of their program in order to share their exchange experiences with people in their home country.
Are there regulations which govern the Exchange Visitor Program (J-1 visa program)?
Yes, the regulations are set forth at 22 Code of Federal Register (CFR) Part 62. The regulations implement the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended, Public Law 87-256, 22 U.S.C. 2451, et seq. (1988). Please note we are revising the governing regulations. The regulations, and related Federal Register Notices updating the regulations, can be viewed from our web site at federal register publications link under E-Resources
The consolidated Exchange Visitor Program regulations can be viewed from E-Resources at the link above.
What is the role and responsibility of the State Department’s Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation?
The State Department’s Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs is responsible for designating and monitoring eligible U.S. government, academic and private sector entities to administer their own exchange visitor programs in order to further promote international exchanges and the U.S. government's public diplomacy efforts.
How can I contact the State Department’s Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation?
Staff member’s names and areas of responsibility are provided on our web site. In addition, you may contact the Office via its general inquiries e-mail address: jvisas@state.gov. This mailbox is monitored on a daily basis and Office staff try to reply to inquiries within one to two business days of receipt of an e-mail inquiry.
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General Questions for Sponsors
How can my organization apply for designation as an Exchange Visitor Program sponsor?
The application requirements and procedures for designation as an Exchange Visitor Program sponsor are contained on our website. Please note that program sponsors must have a minimum of five exchange visitor participants on an annual basis in order to remain eligible for designation. If you are interested, you should review the eligibility requirements noted on our web site under the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System section. This section is on our web site at http://www.exchanges.state.gov/education/jexchanges/about/sevis.htm.
Who are the State Department-designated Exchange Visitor Program sponsors?
Exchange Visitor Program sponsors are comprised of U.S. government, academic and private sector entities designated as Exchange Visitor Program (J-1 Visa Program) sponsors by the State Department’s Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The list of current designated sponsors is on our website at: http://exchanges.state.gov/jexchanges/.
What are some of the responsibilities and obligations of the State Department-designated Exchange Visitor Program sponsors?
The State Department-designated sponsors are responsible for all aspects of the exchange program, including screening and selecting of foreign national participants and monitoring the participants throughout their exchange visitor program in the United States. These sponsors can explain what their program requirements are and how their program works. For more information on sponsors’ responsibilities and obligations contained in the Exchange Visitor Program regulations on our website at: http://exchanges.state.gov/jexchanges/.
Does the State Department recommend any of its Exchange Visitor Program designated sponsors?
The State Department does not recommend or "rate" any of the designated sponsors, however, by virtue of their State Department-designation status, sponsors have complied with all applicable regulations for obtaining designation and are in good standing.
What is SEVIS?
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) implements section 641 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) of 1996, Public Law 104-208 (as amended), that requires the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to collect current information, on an ongoing basis, from DHS-certified schools and Department of State (DoS)-designated exchange visitor program sponsors relating to nonimmigrant foreign students (F and M visas) and exchange visitors (J-visa) and their dependents during the course of their stay in the United States.
SEVIS is an Internet-based system that provides tracking and monitoring functionality, with access to current information on nonimmigrant students (F and M visa) and exchange visitors (J visa), and their dependents (F-2, M-2, and J-2). SEVIS enables schools and program sponsors to transmit electronic information and event notifications, via the Internet, to the DHS and DoS throughout a student's or exchange visitor's stay in the United States. SEVIS is updated with changes or status events for students and exchange visitors including, but not limited to, entry/exit data, changes of current United States address (residence), program extensions, employment notifications, and changes in program of study. SEVIS will also provide system alerts, event notifications, and reports to the end-user schools and programs, as well as for DHS and DoS offices.
SEVIS enables the submission of sponsor designation applications to DoS (Form DS-3036) for review. If an entity meets the regulatory requirements established in 22 CFR Part 62 and is designated by DoS as a program sponsor, users may update program sponsor information, submit updates to DoS that require approval, and create and update J-1 exchange visitor and dependent records (that is, accompanying spouse and dependent children records). The DoS Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation reviews and approves updates made to program sponsor and exchange visitor records using SEVIS, and the Responsible Officers (RO) and Alternate Responsible Officers (AROs) are notified via email of the results. Additional information may be obtained through the SEVIS website at http://www.ICE.gov/SEVIS.
Are there SEVIS User Manuals?
Yes. User Manuals are available to help Responsible Officers (ROs) and Alternate Responsible Officers (AROs) navigate SEVIS. These manuals are available on the Exchange Visitor Program website (use the link below to access the website). The manuals are designed to explain in step-by-step detail how to perform procedures in SEVIS.
User Manual for Temporary Users of SEVIS (How to Complete and Submit the Form DS-3036, Exchange Visitor Program Application)
This manual is written as a resource for users who wish to complete the DoS Form DS-3036, Exchange Visitor Program Application, in order to apply to the Department for designation as a new program sponsor.
User Manual for Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor Users (RO/ARO) of SEVIS: Volume I Forms DS-3036 and DS-3037
This manual contains instructions for accessing SEVIS with a permanent user ID and password; creating and processing Forms DS-3036 and DS-3037 to perform program updates, viewing alerts, and viewing and printing a variety of reports.
User Manual for Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor Users (RO/ARO) of SEVIS: Volume II Form DS-2019
This manual addresses procedures for creating, issuing, and modifying Forms DS 2019 for exchange visitors and dependents.
Is there online help with SEVIS questions?
Yes. Once you have accessed SEVIS, the online help contains the same information available in the user manuals. To obtain online help, click the “Help” link on any SEVIS screen on the SEVIS website.
Is there a SEVIS Help Desk?
Yes. To obtain help with SEVIS technical issues only (e.g., batch processing, password resets, system operation), contact the SEVIS Help Desk at 800 892 4829 between 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday.
What are program sponsors’ responsibilities toward exchange visitor participants in the event of a national emergency or natural disaster in the United States?
Though not a regulatory requirement, sponsors should have a plan in place for contacting and providing safety information and instructions to exchange visitor participants and their dependents, as well as prospective exchange visitors, in the event of a natural disaster or national emergency.
What do I do if one of my exchange visitor’s Form DS 2019 is lost or stolen?
Forms DS 2019 can be reprinted in SEVIS when necessary, with an appropriate explanation entered in the exchange visitor’s record.
What do I do if one of my exchange visitors loses his/her passport?
A foreign visitor in the United State who loses their passport must immediately contact their home country’s embassy or consulate to report the loss and find out how to replace it. The following website provides information on each of the embassies located in Washington, D.C.:
http://www.embassy.org .
What do I do when a dependent turns 21?
An accompanying family member who turns 21 years of age is no longer eligible to be in the United States as a dependent in J-2 status, and must depart the country or apply for a change to another type of non-immigrant status.
How does my organization update information about our State Department-designated exchange visitor program and organization? (See FAQs below, “What is the Form DS-3036, “Update of Information on Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor”?
What is the Form DS-3036, “Update of Information on Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor”?
Program sponsors use Form DS-3036, “Update of Information on Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor,” to provide the Department of State with updated sponsor information. Form DS-3036 has 2 pages: page 1 contains instructions and the Citizenship Certification form; and page 2 is the Request Form/Information to be updated.
Following the submission of an update request into SEVIS, sponsors must print, complete, and sign the form and mail it to the Department of State in order for review. The hard copy of Form DS-3036, fee (if applicable), and any additional supporting documentation must be received in the Department within 30 calendar days of submission in SEVIS or the request will be deleted from the system.
Designated sponsors are required to keep their program and sponsor information up-to-date in SEVIS. If sponsors’ EVP records are not current, it is possible that U.S. Consular Officers overseas and/or U.S. Immigration Officers at the U.S. port of entry may refuse to issue or accept a Form DS-2019 from an exchange visitor on your program.
What is the Form DS-3037, “Application for Redesignation and/or Amendment”?
Program sponsors use Form DS-3037, “Application for Redesignation and/or Amendment” to apply to the Department of State for redesignation of exchange visitor program sponsor status, or apply to the Department of State for an amendment of their current exchange visitor program (for example: to apply for a new exchange visitor category). Form DS-3037 has 3 pages – several pages are left intentionally blank, and the application prints on page 3.
Following the submission of the application (for redesignation or an amendment) request into SEVIS, sponsors must print, complete, and sign the form and mail it to the Department of State in order for the request to be reviewed. The hard copy of Form DS-3037, fee (if applicable), and any additional supporting documentation must be received in the Department within 30 calendar days of submission in SEVIS or the request will be deleted from the system
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General Questions for Prospective Exchange Visitors
How can I participate in the Exchange Visitor Program (J-1 visa program)?
You need to be sponsored by one of the State Department's designated sponsors authorized to conduct exchange visitor programs in the United States. The special J-1 exchange visitor visa is the visa used by all foreign participants in the Exchange Visitor Program.
The program sponsors are responsible for screening and selecting eligible foreign nationals for participation in the Exchange Visitor Program, as well as supporting and monitoring them during their exchange program in the United States. The list of the designated sponsors is on our website at: http:// www.exchanges.state.gov/jexchanges/. You can contact the sponsors directly in order to further pursue your interest in possibly participating in one of the exchange programs.
What is the Form DS-2019?
The Form DS-2019 is the “Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status”. The Form DS-2019 is a controlled document which only State Department-designated sponsors are authorized to issue to foreign nationals (prospective exchange visitors) they have screened and selected for participation in their State Department-designated exchange visitor program. Foreign nationals (prospective exchange visitors) then apply at a U.S. embassy or consulate for the J-1 exchange visitor visa to participate in their prospective sponsor’s exchange visitor program. Issuance of the J-1 visa, like all non-immigrant visas, is at the discretion of Consular Officers viewing visa applications at U.S. embassies and consulates.
How can I obtain a Form DS-2019? (Also see FAQ “What is the Form DS-2019?”)
The State Department-designated J-1 program sponsors are the only entities authorized to issue the Form DS-2019, which is a controlled document. Sponsors issue this form to the foreign nationals they select to participate in their exchange visitor program. The list of the designated sponsors is on our website at: http://www.exchanges.state.gov/jexchanges/.
How do I apply for the J-1 visa?
Prospective exchange visitors apply for the J-1 visa at the U.S. embassy or consulate in their home country using the Form DS-2019 issued to them by their State Department-designated program sponsor. If you have general questions about the visa application process, you should view the State Department’s website for all U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide at: http://www.usembassy.gov/. Click on the link for the U.S. embassy or consulate location closest to you (i.e., where you will apply for the visa) and follow the instructions provided. Any specific questions regarding the visa application process should be directed to the U.S. embassy or consulate.
What is the Form DS-7002?
The Form DS-7002 is the “Training/Internship Placement Plan” (T/IPP). It is a controlled document which only sponsors designated by the State Department for the “trainee” and “intern” exchange visitor program categories are authorized to issue to foreign nationals they have screened and selected for participation in their designated exchange visitor program. Such sponsors must complete and sign the T/IPP for each trainee or intern before issuing the Form DS-2019. The T/IPP ensures that trainees are participating in bona fide training and that interns are participating in work-based learning, both of which are permitted while ordinary employment and unskilled labor are not permitted using the J-1 visa for training and internship purposes.
In addition to presenting their DS-2019 to U.S. embassy or consulate Consular Officers at the time of application for the J-1 visa, prospective trainees and interns must also present their fully executed DS-7002 when requested by the reviewing Consular Officer.
How can I obtain the Form DS-7002? (Also see FAQ “What is the Form DS-7002?”)
The State Department-designated exchange visitor ( J-1 visa) program sponsors authorized to conduct “training” and/or “internship” exchange visitor programs are the only entities authorized to issue the Form DS-7002 for prospective “trainee” and “intern” participants in the Exchange Visitor Program. These sponsors issue completed and signed Forms DS-7002 to the foreign nationals they select to participate in their exchange visitor program. The list of the designated Training (Non-specialty and Specialty) and Intern sponsors are found on our website at: http://www.exchanges.state.gov/jexchanges/.
*Please note that the State Department is in the process of reviewing applications for the new “intern” category, which was established as part of the Interim Final Rule published in the Federal Register on June 19, 2007. This includes applications from current sponsors designated to use the “trainee” category now applying to use the new “intern” category. Once this transition from the “trainee, non-specialty” designation to “intern” category is complete, the current “specialty” and “non-specialty” designations for the “trainee” category will no longer be in use.
How can I send a complaint against one of the Exchange Visitor Program designated sponsors to the State Department?
The State Department wants to ensure that all participants involved in the Exchange Visitor Program, including exchange visitor participants, host families, host business and host organizations enjoy a positive and successful exchange experience. To that end, the Department reviews and responds to written complaints against designated sponsors and works with the sponsors to ensure that problems are resolved and that all Exchange Visitor Program participants have a positive and successful exchange experience.
Written complaints must be filed with the Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation to follow-up complainants’ concerns. Please be as detailed as possible and provide evidence to support your complaint. Please be aware that situations of a contractual nature fall outside the jurisdiction of the State Department. The Office will follow-up with the designated sponsor upon receipt each complaint. Written complaints may be submitted to the Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation via e-mail at jvisas@state.gov, at the address or by fax as written below.
If your concerns relate to a university/college or government sponsor, you may submit a written complaint to:
United States Department of State
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation
Academic and Government Programs Division (ECA/EC/AG)
301 4th Street, S.W., Room 820 (SA-44)
Washington, D.C. 20547
Or by fax to: (202) 453-8640
If your concerns relate to all other private sector sponsors, submit your written complaint to:
United States Department of State
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation
Private Sector Programs Division (ECA/EC/PS)
301 4th Street, S.W., Room 732 (SA-44)
Washington, D.C. 20547
Or by fax to: (202) 203-5087
Where can I find information about the exchange programs funded by the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (such as The Fulbright Program or the FLEX Secondary School Exchange Program)?
To find information about these exchange program and initiatives, please view the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs website at: http://www.exchanges.state.gov/. Click on the link to “Exchanges to the U.S.”.
Who should I contact regarding work visas or work authorizations in the United States?
Work visas or work authorizations do not relate to the Exchange Visitor Program and the J-1 exchange visitor visa. Work visas/authorizations are within the purview of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
What are the required visa fees for participating in the Exchange Visitor Program (obtaining a J-1 visa)?
Each applicant for a visa must pay a non refundable $131 (U.S. currency) nonimmigrant visa application-processing fee. If the visa is issued, there may be an additional visa issuance reciprocity fee for citizens of certain countries.
Do all exchange visitors have to pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee?
Most exchange visitors are required to pay a one-time SEVIS fee of $100 (U.S. currency).
For the Summer Work/Travel, Au Pair, and Camp Counselor programs, the fee is $35 (U.S. currency). All those applying for a J-1 visa for initial participation in a program must pay this fee. In addition, those already in the United States applying for a change of status to J-1 must pay the fee, as does an exchange visitor applying for a change of category. Exceptions: Government-sponsored exchange visitors who are participating in programs with a program number that begins with G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-7 do not need to pay the fee.
Continuing exchange visitors do not pay the SEVIS I-901 fee when they:
- Reenter the United States to continue participation in an exchange visitor program or program of study as long as nonimmigrant status was maintained
- Already paid the SEVIS fee but the visa was denied within the last 12 months, and they are applying again for a visa in the same exchange visitor category
- Transfer between programs in the same exchange visitor category, unless the new program requires a higher fee
- Apply to extend their stay in order to complete the current program within the maximum duration of participation of the category in which they are participating
There are no fee waivers available for the SEVIS I-901 fee. For more information see: https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/.
What is the visa interview like?
Once the exchange visitor receives the Form DS 2019 from the sponsor, they must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee and make a visa appointment at the U.S. embassy or consulate nearest their home. At the visa appointment, the consular officer will determine whether the potential exchange visitor qualifies 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 United States for a temporary, specific, limited period;
- Evidence of funds to cover expenses in the United States;
- Evidence of compelling social and economic ties to their home country.
Which documents are most important for the exchange visitor?
The critical documents that each exchange visitor must protect for the duration of their stay in the United States are:
- All Forms DS 2019 issued
- Passport
- Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record (small white card stapled in passport by the Immigration Officer at the port of entry)
It is the responsibility of the Responsible Officer (RO) and Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) to make sure the exchange visitor understands what each of these documents signifies. Exchange visitors should be advised to keep a copy of their Form DS 2019 even beyond the end of their program in case it is needed at some future point.
When can exchange visitors enter the United States prior to the start of their exchange program? And, when must exchange visitors depart the United States by after the completion of their exchange program?
Two 30 day periods govern an exchange visitor’s authorized stay in the United States. The first 30-day period occurs before an exchange visitor’s program begin/start date stated on the exchange visitor’s Form DS-2019. The second 30-day period occurs after the exchange visitor’s successful completion of the program end date stated on his/her Form DS-2019. Both periods relate to non-immigrant visa holders’ immigration status in the United States.
In addition, the 30-day periods (before and after the actual exchange visitor program start/end dates) fall under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
How does an exchange visitor “Maintain Program Status”?
Exchange visitors are admitted to the United States for a specific period of time to engage in a particular program (activity), as described on their Form DS 2019. Exchange visitors must maintain lawful (J-1) program status, as failure to do so can have serious long-term consequences.
Key Reminders:
- Exchange visitors must know the expiration date of their program (the end date in section 3 of the DS 2019 Form) and the expected departure date. If regulations permit and the Exchange visitors J-1 program is extended, the sponsor must use SEVIS to change the end date on the Form DS 2019 prior to the expiration date of the original Form, reprint the Form, sign it in blue ink and give it to the exchange visitor.
- When traveling outside the United States, exchange visitors must first obtain a “travel signature” on the Form DS 2019 to facilitate re-entry. Exchange visitors should be reminded to retain all copies of Form DS-2019 with their immigration papers.
- Exchange visitors must never accept unauthorized employment.
- Exchange visitors must comply with the Department of State's health insurance requirements for J-1 visa holders and their families. Willful disregard of this requirement will result in termination of the J-1 program.
- Exchange visitors must keep their passports valid. Passports can be renewed by foreign embassies in Washington D.C. and foreign consulates in other cities. For information about embassies, see http://www.embassy.org.
What does the notation “D/S” on the I-94, Arrival/Departure Record, mean?
Exchange visitors (J-1) are admitted to the United States for the period of time necessary to complete their program, and are given the notation “D/S” (Duration of Status) on their I-94 Arrival/Departure Record by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) immigration officials at the port of entry into the United States.
For non-immigrants admitted with Duration of Status, unlawful presence in the United States begins to accrue on the date DHS finds a status violation while adjudicating a request for an immigration benefit (for example, a request for a change of status), or when an immigration judge finds a status violation during proceedings. For non-immigrants admitted with a date certain (as opposed to D/S), unlawful presence begins to accrue on the date the Form I-94 expires.
Where can I find useful travel tips to the United States?
http://usembassy.state.gov/
http://www.ice.gov/sevis/students/
Where can I find information about the various visas types to travel to the United States?
http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/visapolicy/faq.html
http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html
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General Questions from Current Exchange Visitor (J-1 Visa) Participants
Who should I contact about a problem I am having regarding my J-1 exchange visitor program?
You should contact your J-1 program sponsor. Your sponsor is responsible for assisting and advising you on all matters regarding your J-1 exchange visitor program.
Who should I contact about a problem I have with my Form DS-2019?
You should contact your J-1 program sponsor. Your sponsor is responsible for assisting and advising you on all matters regarding your J-1 exchange visitor program.
Who should I contact about a problem I have with my J-1 visa?
You should contact your J-1 program sponsor. Your sponsor is responsible for assisting and advising you on all matters regarding your J-1 exchange visitor program.
Who should I contact regarding my SEVIS registration?
You should contact your J-1 program sponsor. Your sponsor is responsible for assisting and advising you on all matters regarding your J-1 exchange visitor program.
Who should I contact about traveling outside of the United States during my J-1 exchange visitor program?
You need to contact your J-1 program sponsor regarding your travel plans. Your sponsor must authorize your travel prior to your departure from the United States.
How long can I remain in the United States after my J-1 exchange visitor program ends?
Two 30 day periods govern an exchange visitor’s authorized stay in the United States. The first 30-day period occurs before an exchange visitor’s program begin/start date stated on the exchange visitor’s Form DS-2019. The second 30-day period occurs after the exchange visitor’s successful completion of the program end date stated on his/her Form DS-2019. Both periods relate to non-immigrant visa holders’ immigration status in the United States.
What will happen to my J-1 visa status if I withdraw from my exchange visitor program?
If you plan to withdraw from your program you must notify your program sponsor. If you withdraw, your program sponsor will enter this information into SEVIS and you will be expected to depart the United States immediately. You will not be entitled to the post-completion 30 day period because you did not successfully complete your program.
What will happen to my J-1 visa status if my exchange visitor program sponsor terminates my exchange visitor program?
If your sponsor terminates you for just cause, they will enter this information into SEVIS and you will be expected to depart the United States immediately. You will not be entitled to the post-completion 30 day period because you did not successfully complete your program
Will I have to pay taxes on my salary if I am working and receiving wages while on a J-1 visa?
Yes. You will need to pay taxes on any salary/wages earned while utilizing the J-1 visa in the United States.
How do I know if I am subject to the two-year foreign residency requirement (Section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act)?
You should contact the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs (Waiver Review Division) for assistance. The Public Inquiries telephone number to the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Visa Office, is (202) 663-1225. Their website is: http://ww.travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1288.html
How can I apply for a waiver of the two-year foreign residency requirement (Section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act)?
You should contact the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs (Waiver Review Division) for assistance. The Public Inquiries telephone number to the Bureau of Consular Affairs, Visa Office, is (202) 663-1225. Their website is: http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_1288.html
Who should I contact regarding problems I am having securing a Social Security card?
You should contact the Social Security Administration.
Who should I contact about changing my visa status while I am in the United States?
You need to contact the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Their Customer Service public number is: (800) 375-5283.
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