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The J-1 visa is available to individuals participating in
a recognized international exchange program. The purpose of
exchange visitors visa is to promote cultural and educational
exchange between the U.S. and other countries. In general,
the goal of the program is that foreign citizens will come
to the U.S. to share their cultural experience and learn about
U.S. culture, and, in turn, take their experiences back to
their home country as a way of improving international relations.
There are various programs to facilitate J-1 sponsorship
in different fields of endeavors. The J-1 visa may be available
for Professors and Research Scholars, Short-term Scholars,
Trainees, College or University Students, Teachers, Secondary
School Students, Graduate Medical Education or Training, International
and Government Visitors, Camp Counselors, Summer Work/Travel
Students and Au Pairs. A J-1 visa is obtained by applying
through an approved sponsoring organization that can be a
school, company, public or private organization approved by
the U.S. Department of State. The sponsor will issue a Form
IAP-66 that is used by the foreign national to obtain a J
visa.
Some exchange programs permit trainees to obtain paid on-the-job
training and internships with firms, institutions, and agencies.
Under this category, the J-1 trainee is usually admitted to
the U.S. for a period from 3 to 18 months. Often, the company
or its attorneys will coordinate with J program sponsors to
acquire J-1 trainee visas.
The J-1 student and researcher program allows the J-1 visa
holder to accept training in the U.S. J-1 students are generally
admitted for the length of their educational studies in the
U.S. J-1 students often receive a period of authorized practical
training (18 months for undergraduate and pre-doctoral training
and 36 months for post-doctoral training) similar to F-1 students.
The authorization for such employment is issued by the J program
sponsor and does not require prior USCIS approval.
The J-2 dependent spouse of a J-1 visa holder may qualify
for work authorization as long as it is demonstrated that
the spouse's income is not necessary to support the J-1 visa
holder.
Certain J-1 exchange visitors may be
subject to a two year foreign home residency requirement at
the end of their period of stay. The two year foreign home
residency may apply to J-1 exchange visitors who participate
in programs which were financed in whole or in part, directly
or indirectly, by an agency of the U.S. Government or by the
exchange visitor's government, or who are nationals or residents
of a country which have been designated by U.S. Information
Agency as requiring the skills of the exchange visitor. Parties
subject to the foreign home residency requirement must return
to their country of nationality or last residence after completing
their program in the United States, and must reside there
physically for two years before they may become eligible to
apply for an immigrant or temporary worker visa.
A complete list of skills by country
is available at the link below:
Revised
Exchange-Visitor Skills List
In certain situations a waiver to the
foreign home residency requirement may be available.
Detailed information on the process
of obtaining a waiver of the home residency requirement is
available at the following Department of State maintained
website:
http://exchanges.state.gov/education/jexchanges/participation/waivers.htm
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