Exchange Visitors

What is a J-1 visa?

A J-1 visa is for applicants whose primary purpose of travel to the United States is to participate in the Exchange Visitor Program.

The Exchange Visitor Program is carried out under the provisions of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended. The purpose of the Act is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchanges. International educational and cultural exchanges are one of the most effective means of developing lasting and meaningful relationships. They provide an extremely valuable opportunity to experience the United States and our way of life. Foreign nationals come to the United States to participate in a wide variety of educational and cultural exchange programs.

The Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation in the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs administers the Exchange Visitor Program. At the conclusion of their program, participants are expected to return to the home countries to utilize the experience and skills they have acquired while in the United States.

In carrying out the mandate of the Exchange Visitor Program, the Department of State designates public and private entities to act as exchange sponsors. Designated sponsoring organizations facilitate the entry of foreign nationals into the United States as exchange visitors to complete the objectives of one of the exchange visitor program categories, which are:

• Au Pair
• Camp Counselor
• College/University Student
• Secondary Student
• Government Visitor
• International Visitor (reserved for Department of State use)
• Alien physician
• Professor
• Research Scholar
• Short-term Scholar
• Specialist
• Summer Work/Travel
• Teacher
• Trainee

Each exchange category has specific requirements.

To learn about the foreign physician, au pair, camp counselor, summer work/travel, or trainee categories, select Private Sector Programs.

To learn about the post-secondary student, college/university student, professor, research scholar, short-term scholar, specialist, teacher and Government Visitor and International Visitor categories, select Government Programs.

For more information on the J visa itself, please see 9 FAM 41.62. (PDF 122kb) 

Overview – About the Exchange Visitor Visa

The Immigration and Nationality Act established the J nonimmigrant visa category for persons who are approved to participate in exchange visitor programs in the United States. This means that before you can apply at the Embassy for a J visa, you must apply to, meet the requirements of, and be accepted by one of the Exchange Visitor Program categories through a designated sponsoring organization. If you are accepted as a participant in an exchange program, the sponsor will provide you with information and documents necessary to apply for the J visa to enter the United States.

Qualifying for an Exchange Visitor Visa

The law is very specific with regard to the requirements which applicants must meet in order to qualify for the J visa. The consular officer will determine whether or not you qualify for the visa. Applicants must demonstrate that they meet the requirements to be issued a J visa, including the following:

• That they plan to remain in the United States for a temporary period;
• Evidence of funds to cover expenses in the United States;
• Evidence of compelling social, economic and other ties abroad that will insure they return abroad at the end of the visit.

Spouse and Children of a J Principal Alien

Spouses and children under the age of 21, regardless of nationality, can apply for and receive J-2 visas to accompany or follow-to-join the principal alien in the United States. Derivatives receive the same visa classification as the principal alien.

How do I apply for a J-1 visa?

Please see our How to Apply for a Visa page.

Which documents are required to apply for a J visa?

Please see our Documents Required for Visa Application page.