Jamaican Work and Travel HQ

The Exchange Visitor Program fosters global understanding through educational and cultural exchanges. All exchange visitors are expected to return to their home country upon completion of their program in order to share their exchange experiences.

Source: U.S. Department of State J-1 Visa Common Questions
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/

Yes. The State Department designates U.S. government, academic and private sector entities to conduct educational and cultural exchange programs. To participate in the Exchange Visitor Program, foreign nationals must be sponsored by one of the State Department-designated sponsors.

The program sponsors are responsible for screening and selecting eligible foreign nationals for participation in their designated exchange visitor program, as well as supporting and monitoring exchange visitors during their stay in the United States.

Source: U.S. Department of State J-1 Visa Common Questions
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/

• Form DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility) issued by your program sponsor
• Other supporting documents – check the specific embassy or consulate website
• Passport valid for travel to the United States
• Completed Online Form DS-160 , nonimmigrant visa application
• Fee receipt showing payment of the $185 visa application fee (price subject to change)
• 2×2 photograph , meeting format requirements

For more information about Exchange Visitor Visas, please see the Bureau of Consular Affairs' exchange visitor visa website.

Source: U.S. Department of State J-1 Visa Common Questions
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/

A SEVIS-generated Form DS-2019 is required when applying for the J-1 Visa. The DS-2019 is a controlled form provided to you by your program sponsor. It documents your acceptance to an exchange program sponsored by a State Department designated Exchange Visitor Program sponsor.

Source: U.S. Department of State J-1 Visa Common Questions
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/

Designated sponsors are authorized to issue Form DS-2019 to prospective or current exchange visitors they select for their program.

Source: U.S. Department of State J-1 Visa Common Questions
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/

Once you obtain a Form DS-2019 from a Sponsor, you may apply for an exchange visitor visa at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in your country of residence. Also, if you are married, your spouse and any children can apply for an exchange visitor (J-2) visa when you apply, or join you after you are in the United States if the exchange category in which you are participating permits an accompanying spouse and/or dependents (i.e. regulations prohibit an accompanying spouse in the categories of Camp Counselor, Summer Work Travel, Au pair and Secondary School Student).

Source: U.S. Department of State J-1 Visa Common Questions
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/

The wait time for an interview and processing for an Exchange Visitor Visa varies from country to country and is based on your individual circumstances. Learn more about interview wait and processing times by visiting www.travel.state.gov. We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. Please note that exchange visitors beginning new programs may not enter the United States more than 30 days before their program start date.

Source: U.S. Department of State J-1 Visa Common Questions
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/

You may not arrive more than 30 days before the program start date shown on your DS-2019. Upon completion of your exchange program, you have a grace period of 30 days to depart the United States.

Source: U.S. Department of State J-1 Visa Common Questions
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/

An Exchange Visitor Visa holder is only allowed to perform the activity listed on his/her Form DS-2019 and as stated in the regulations for that category of exchange.

Source: U.S. Department of State J-1 Visa Common Questions
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/

Yes, your program sponsor may extend your program up to its maximum length. If an extension is granted, a new Form DS-2019 will be issued to you reflecting the change.

More information is available on the adjustments and extensions page.

Source: U.S. Department of State J-1 Visa Common Questions
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/

If your visa has expired and you do not plan to travel outside of the U.S., you do not need to renew the visa.

Please be aware that if you travel outside of the United States during your current exchange visitor program and after your J-1 visa has expired, you must apply for a new J-1 visa in your home country in order to re-enter the United States to continue your program.

Your sponsor is responsible for assisting and advising you on all matters relating to your J-1 program, including authorizing travel outside of the U.S. and ensuring that your J-1 non-immigrant documents are valid at all times.

Source: U.S. Department of State J-1 Visa Common Questions
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/

When you agree to participate in an Exchange Visitor Program you will be subject to the two-year home-country foreign residency requirement if your exchange program is funded by either your government or the U.S. government, involves fields of specialized knowledge or skills designated by the Department of State as clearly required by your home country or you received graduate medical training. If this requirement applies, you must return to your home country for a cumulative total of two years at the end of your exchange visitor program. You are not prohibited from traveling to the United States but may not benefit from certain employment-based or family-based visas until the foreign residency requirement is satisfied.

Source: U.S. Department of State J-1 Visa Common Questions
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/

The State Department has activated a helpline to ensure the health and safety of all exchange participants. Participants, or anyone concerned about a participant, can contact the State Department at any time via the hotline 1-866-283-9090 or at jvisas@state.gov .

Among other prohibitions, no sponsor may threaten program termination, or otherwise retaliate against a participant solely because he or she has instituted a complaint or taken action to gain assistance from an outside entity regarding a complaint.

Source: U.S. Department of State J-1 Visa Common Questions
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/

Check with your sponsor for detailed tax information. Whether you pay taxes depends on your category, income source, and U.S. tax law.

Source: BridgeUSA J-1 Visa Basics — Common Questions: Participants
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/#participants

You can find the list of interested sponsors and points of contact here: Early Career STEM Research Initiative sponsors page .

Source: BridgeUSA J-1 Visa Basics — Common Questions: Participants
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/#participants

Yes. Sponsors *may* approve temporary disruptions due to medical necessity on a case-by-case basis if you meet your institution's criteria. You must present a written statement from a physician specifying the need for remote study from abroad. If approved, obtain travel validation on your DS-2019 before international travel. All serious injuries or illnesses that affect your program must be reported to the Office of Private Sector Exchange Program Administration.

Source: BridgeUSA J-1 Visa Basics — Common Questions: Participants
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/#participants

Your current visa applies only to your current program and sponsor. To participate in another program (in a different category or with a different sponsor), you'll need to apply for a new J-1 visa for that new program.

Source: BridgeUSA J-1 Visa Basics — Common Questions: Participants
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/#participants

If your sponsor terminates your program for just cause, the sponsor will record this in SEVIS and you must depart the U.S. immediately. You will *not* be eligible for the 30-day post-completion grace period because you did not complete the program successfully.

Source: BridgeUSA, J-1 Visa Basics — Common Questions: Participants
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/#participants

You should contact U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) if you need to change your visa status while in the U.S.

Source: BridgeUSA, J-1 Visa Basics — Common Questions: Participants
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/#participants

If your sponsor isn't addressing your concern, contact the State Department via the hotline 1-866-283-9090 or email jvisas@state.gov. Sponsors may not retaliate against participants for raising concerns.

Source: BridgeUSA, J-1 Visa Basics — Common Questions: Participants
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/#participants

Contact your designated sponsor. Their name and contact number are listed on your Form DS-2019.

Source: BridgeUSA, J-1 Visa Basics — Common Questions: Participants
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/#participants

Your J-1 program sponsor is responsible for SEVIS registration. Contact them for assistance or questions about SEVIS.

Source: BridgeUSA, J-1 Visa Basics — Common Questions: Participants
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/#participants

Reach out to your designated sponsor and the Social Security Administration for help obtaining a Social Security card.

Source: BridgeUSA, J-1 Visa Basics — Common Questions: Participants
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/#participants

Yes. The Exchange Visitor Program is governed by regulations found in Title 22 of the Code of Federal Regulations, Part 62 (22 CFR Part 62).

Source: BridgeUSA, J-1 Visa Basics — Common Questions: Participants
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/#participants

No. Although designated sponsors have official addresses, many can place participants anywhere in the U.S. Always check with your specific sponsor about where their participants might be placed.

Source: BridgeUSA, J-1 Visa Basics — Common Questions: Participants
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/#participants

You may work for another employer only if the activity is listed on your DS-2019, consistent with your exchange category, and you have approval from your sponsor's Responsible or Alternate Responsible Officer.

Source: BridgeUSA, J-1 Visa Basics — Common Questions: Participants
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/#participants

You can find detailed information and begin the online waiver application via the J-Visa Waiver Division or the Department of State's waiver site.

Source: BridgeUSA, J-1 Visa Basics — Common Questions: Participants
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/#participants

All questions and concerns should first go to the sponsoring organization, unless they involve the health or safety of a participant. The Form DS-2019 shows the name and phone number of the participant's sponsor. If the issue involves health or safety, contact the U.S. State Department hotline at 1-866-283-9090 or email jvisas@state.gov .

Source: BridgeUSA: Common Questions for Host Families / Employers
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/hosts-and-employers/common-questions/

It depends on the exchange category. For example, in the J-1 Secondary School Student program, the host family is not allowed to receive payment, as monetary payments would conflict with the program's public diplomacy purpose (22 CFR § 62.25(d)(6)). In other exchange categories, there may be fees related to housing, arranging housing, or other assistance. Always check what the particular program allows.

Source: BridgeUSA: Common Questions for Host Families / Employers
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/hosts-and-employers/common-questions/

You should contact a designated sponsor organization to learn how to find a temporary employee through the Exchange Visitor Program. The list of designated sponsors is available on the J-1 Visa site.

Source: BridgeUSA: Common Questions for Host Families / Employers
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/hosts-and-employers/common-questions/

The U.S. State Department's Office of Private Sector Exchange (part of the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs) is responsible for designating organizations as sponsors of exchange programs, helping sponsors with the administration of their programs, and monitoring them to ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing the Exchange Visitor Program.

Source: BridgeUSA: Common Questions for Host Families / Employers
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/hosts-and-employers/common-questions/

Sponsors are U.S. government, academic, research, and private sector organizations designated by the State Department's Office of Private Sector Exchange. They administer exchange visitor programs.

Source: BridgeUSA Common Questions for Interested Sponsors
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/sponsors/common-questions-for-interested-sponsors/

There are 15 distinct exchange categories: Alien Physician; Au Pair; Camp Counselor; Government Visitor; International Visitor; Intern; Professor; Research Scholar; Short-Term Scholar; Specialist; Secondary School Student; College/University Student; Summer Work Travel; Teacher; and Trainee. Each category has its own regulations/requirements.

Source: BridgeUSA Common Questions for Interested Sponsors
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/sponsors/common-questions-for-interested-sponsors/

An organization wishing to become a designated sponsor must meet certain requirements, including: having previous experience in international exchange; satisfying financial requirements; being a U.S. organization; and (except for federal agencies) ensuring the program has at least five exchange visitors per calendar year.

Source: BridgeUSA Common Questions for Interested Sponsors
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/sponsors/common-questions-for-interested-sponsors/

Yes. Applying for designation as an Exchange Visitor Program sponsor requires paying a non-refundable fee (price subject to change) , which must be submitted electronically via Pay.gov, as specified in 22 CFR Part 62.

Source: BridgeUSA Common Questions for Interested Sponsors
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/sponsors/common-questions-for-interested-sponsors/

Though not a regulatory requirement, sponsors should have a plan in place in the event of a natural disaster or national emergency for contacting and providing information, assistance and instructions to exchange visitor participants and their accompanying spouse and dependents.

Source: BridgeUSA: Common Questions for Program Sponsors
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/sponsors/common-questions/

If a foreign visitor in the United States loses their passport, they should immediately contact their home country's embassy or consulate to report the loss and find out how to replace it. They should also contact their Sponsor to obtain a new copy of their Form DS-2019 to present to the embassy or consulate as part of replacement proceedings.

Source: BridgeUSA: Common Questions for Program Sponsors
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/sponsors/common-questions/

The Form DS-2019 can be reprinted in SEVIS when necessary; an appropriate explanation should be entered in the exchange visitor's record.

Source: BridgeUSA: Common Questions for Program Sponsors
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/sponsors/common-questions/

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.

Source: BridgeUSA: Common Questions for Program Sponsors
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/sponsors/common-questions/

Your organization uses Form DS-3037, "Update of Information on Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor," to provide the Department of State with updated sponsor information.

Source: BridgeUSA: Common Questions for Program Sponsors
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/sponsors/common-questions/

Form DS-3036, "Exchange Visitor Program Application," is the application used by organizations to apply to the Department of State for designation or for amendments to their designation authorization.

Source: BridgeUSA: Common Questions for Program Sponsors
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/sponsors/common-questions/

Form DS-3037, "Update of Information on Exchange Visitor Program Sponsor," is the form used by program sponsors to provide the Department of State with updated sponsor information.

Source: BridgeUSA: Common Questions for Program Sponsors
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/sponsors/common-questions/

Yes. There is a User Manual available to help Responsible Officers (ROs) and Alternate Responsible Officers (AROs) navigate SEVIS. The manual explains in step-by-step detail how to perform procedures in SEVIS.

Source: BridgeUSA: Common Questions for Program Sponsors
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/sponsors/common-questions/

Yes. For SEVIS technical issues only (for example: 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. For more information, visit the SEVIS website.

Source: BridgeUSA: Common Questions for Program Sponsors
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/sponsors/common-questions/

SEVIS is the electronic database developed to collect information on foreign nationals and their accompanying spouse and dependents who enter the United States on F, M, or J visas. It is used by sponsors, the U.S. government, and other authorities to maintain visa and status records.

Source: BridgeUSA: Common Questions for Program Sponsors
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/sponsors/common-questions/

To participate in the Trainee category, J-1 participants must have:

• Either a degree from a post-secondary academic institution outside the United States and at least one year's work experience in their occupational field acquired outside the United States, or five years of work experience in their occupational field acquired outside the United States.
• Sufficient proficiency in the English language, as determined by an objective measurement of English language proficiency, successfully to participate in their program and to function on a day-to-day basis.
• The background, needs, and experience suitable to the category and consistent with the program's educational objective.

Source: U.S. Department of State J-1 Visa Common Questions
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/

Trainees may participate in a structured and guided program at more than one host organization site; however, all training must be conducted under the auspices of the same host organization.

Source: U.S. Department of State J-1 Visa Common Questions
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/

Host organizations must have the staff, facilities, and resources to conduct an effective training program as set forth in the Training/Internship Placement Plan (Form DS-7002). A host organization may not have more than 25% of its work force comprised of J-1 trainees and interns at any one time, unless the host organization has been approved for a higher ratio by the sponsor.

Source: U.S. Department of State J-1 Visa Common Questions
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/

Training programs must not be used to displace American workers. Training programs for Trainees may not be in the field of:

• Unskilled or casual labor
• Personal care including child care, elder care, or any work involvingcare for individuals with physical, mental, or emotional disabilities, or assisting individuals who cannot care for themselves

Source: U.S. Department of State J-1 Visa Common Questions
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/

The Government Visitor category facilitates visits by non-U.S. citizens whose participation in an exchange program has been deemed by a U.S. government agency to be in the interest of the United States. Such visitors participate in consultation, observation, research, training, or similar activities at federal, state, or local government agencies; academic or research institutions; or other organizations.

Source: U.S. Department of State J-1 Visa Common Questions
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/

Eligible participants are persons selected by a U.S. government agency for participation in an exchange visitor program designated by that agency. The U.S. agency must have determined that the participant's presence in the United States is in the interest of the United States.

Source: U.S. Department of State J-1 Visa Common Questions
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/

No, the State Department does not recommend or rate sponsors. The State Department designation of a sponsor is not a rating or endorsement by the U.S. Government. When selecting a J-1 exchange visitor program or sponsor, you should research the organization to ensure they provide the services and support you need.

Source: U.S. Department of State J-1 Visa Common Questions
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/

Organizations designated by the Department of State to conduct exchange visitor programs are required to report certain organizational changes. As a result, the directory of sponsors may not include the most current sponsor information. Please contact sponsors directly to confirm their contact details and current program offerings.

Source: U.S. Department of State J-1 Visa Common Questions
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/

Organizations designated by the Department of State to conduct exchange visitor programs are required to report certain organizational changes. Sponsors should contact the Department of State to update their information when changes occur to ensure accurate representation in the sponsor directory.

Source: U.S. Department of State J-1 Visa Common Questions
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/

Generally, J-1 participants may only participate in one program at a time. However, in limited circumstances and with proper authorization from both sponsors involved, concurrent participation in multiple programs may be permitted. Participants should consult with their designated sponsor organizations regarding their specific situation.

Source: U.S. Department of State J-1 Visa Common Questions
Link: https://j1visa.state.gov/basics/common-questions/