Nonimmigrant Visa Unit
Frequently Asked Questions Concerning the J Visa
When should I apply for my J-1 visa?
Applicants may apply for their visa as soon as they are prepared to do so. We encourage J visa applicants to apply for their visa early to provide ample time for visa processing. However, J visa applicants should note that we can issue your exchange visitor visa up to a maximum of 120 days in advance of the exchange program start date.
When can a B-1/B-2 visa be used instead of a J visa?
Some activities that are done on a J visa are also permitted on B-1/B-2 visa (temporary visitor for business or pleasure). Study that is incidental to the trip is permitted on a visitor visa. The determining factor is the traveler's primary purpose in going to the United States. For example, during a vacation to the United States on a B-1/B-2 visa, you may take a two-day cooking class for your enjoyment. A consular officer will determine the class of visa you will need based on the purpose of your travel.
I received my J visa. When can I travel to the United States?
J visa holders may enter the United States up to 30 days in advance of the applicant's program start date as shown on the Form DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status). Please consider this date carefully when making travel plans. The 30-day limitation does not apply to current exchange participants who are returning to the United States to continue with their exchange program.
I changed my visa status and subsequently departed the United States. How can I re-enter the United States?
If someone changed status to J status in the United States, he or she does not need a J visa to maintain legal status while in the United States. However, a visa is required if the beneficiary subsequently leaves the United States and wishes to re-enter as a J nonimmigrant. The applicant must apply for a visa at the U.S. Embassy in Bogotá. The Form I-797 (Notice of Action), which informed the applicant that the change of status to J status was approved, is not a travel document and cannot take the place of a visa.
What are SEVP and SEVIS?
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is designed to help the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State better monitor school and exchange programs and F,M, and J category visitors. Exchange visitor and student information is maintained in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). SEVIS is an Internet-based system that maintains accurate and current information on nonimmigrant students (F and M visa), exchange visitors (J visa), and their dependents (F-2, J-2, and M-2). SEVIS enables schools and program sponsors to transmit mandatory information and event notifications via the Internet to the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State throughout a student or exchange visitor's stay in the United States.
What is a DS-2019? Why do I need one?
A Form DS-2019 [Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status] is a SEVIS-generated document issued by a Department of State-designated sponsor. Applicants submit Form DS-2019 when they are applying for a J visa. The consular officer will verify your Form DS-2019 record electronically through SEVIS in order to process your J visa application.
Do I need to pay the SEVIS fee?
Unless otherwise exempt, students whose Form DS-2019 was issued on or after September 1, 2004 must pay a SEVIS fee to Immigration and Customs Enforcement of the Department of Homeland Security. In general, new J-1 students must pay the SEVIS fee. Continuing J-1 students and all J-2 students do not. See Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s SEVIS Frequently Asked Questions for more information.
How much is the SEVIS fee?
The SEVIS fee for J-1 visitors is US$180 unless the person is participating in one of the below programs, in which case the fee is listed next to the program. J-2 visa applicants are not required to pay the SEVIS fee.
| Federally sponsored exchange visitor program (program codes start with G-1, G-2 or G-3) | None |
| Summer work/travel program | US$35 |
| Au pair program | US$35 |
| Camp counselor program | US$35 |
How do I pay the SEVIS fee?
You may pay the SEVIS fee online, via Western Union, or by mail.
My student/exchange visitor visa application was denied. If I choose to reapply, do I have to pay the SEVIS fee again?
If less than a year has passed between your new visa application and the refusal, you do not need to pay the SEVIS fee again. Otherwise, you must pay again.
What is the two-year foreign residency requirement?
At the conclusion of their exchange visitor program, participants are expected to return to the home countries to utilize the experience and skills they have acquired while in the United States. Accordingly, Section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act prohibits certain exchange visitors from applying for an adjustment of status; applying for an immigrant visa; applying for a change of status H or L status; or applying for an H or L visa until they have returned to their home country our country of last residence and remained there for at least two years.
An exchange visitor is subject to the two-year foreign residency requirement of Section 212(e) if on or more of the following conditions exist:
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The program in which the exchange visitor was participating was financed in whole or in part directly or indirectly by the United States Government or the government of the exchange visitor's nationality or last residence;
- The exchange visitor is a national or resident of a country designated as requiring the services of persons engaged in the field of specialized knowledge or skills in which the exchange visitor was engaged for the duration of their program (see 9 FAM 41.62 Exhibit II); or
- The exchange visitor entered the United States to receive graduate medical education or training.
In certain circumstances, former exchange visitors may receive a waiver of the two-year foreign residence requirement. For information, see the Department of State’s 212(e) waiver page.
Can my spouse or child travel with me?
Spouses and/or children under the age of 21 can receive a derivative J-2 visa to accompany or follow-to-join the principal visa holder in the United States. The application procedure is the same. Derivatives are generally subject to the same visa validity, period of admission, and limitation of stay as the principal applicant. The spouse and any child age 14 years of age and older must be present at the interview. Note that U.S. law does not recognize Colombian common-law marriages (unión libre), and such spouses therefore do not qualify for derivative J-2 visas.
How can I apply for a derivative J-2 visa?
Derivatives must apply for a J-2 visa, following the same instructions as the principal applicant. When a derivative applies for a J-2 visa to follow-to-join a principal J nonimmigrant already in the United States, the consular officer also must be satisfied that the principal applicant is maintaining J status before issuing the visa. Therefore, in addition to the normal J documents, such applicants must present:
- The principal applicant’s original Form I-797 (Notice of Action).
- A photocopy of the principal applicant’s issued J visa and U.S. entry stamp or, if the applicant changed status to J status, the original Form I-797 (Notice of Action) approving the change of status.
- Certified copies of the birth/marriage certificates showing the relationship between the principal alien and the derivative applicant.
J-2 applicants do not need to pay the SEVIS fee. The spouse and any child age 14 years of age and older must be present at the interview.
Can my stepchild apply for a derivative J-2 visa?
If the marriage creating the stepchild relationship occurred before the child’s eighteenth birthday, the child may apply for a derivative J-2 visa. Your child’s application materials must include a copy of your marriage certificate establishing the stepchild relationship.
Can I study in the United States on a J-2 visa?
Yes. There is no requirement that the spouse and/or children of a J visa holder apply for a student (F-1) visa if they wish to study in the United States. They may study on their J-2 visas.
Can I work in the United States on a derivative J-2 visa?
No. Individuals in J-2 status cannot work while in the United States.
Am I allowed to have both a J visa and a B-1/B-2 visitor visa simultaneously?
Yes. You may have more than one valid visa, but you must enter the United States with the appropriate visa consistent with your principal purpose of travel to the United States. You may apply for both a J visa and a B-1/B-2 visa on the same day, but you must meet the requirements of each visa class. Please consult our B-1/B-2 visa page for detailed instructions on how to apply for a B-1/B-2 visa.
I still have questions exchange visitor programs. How can I find more information?
For more information about exchange visitor programs in the United States, please see the Department of State’s Exchange Visitor Program and Exchange Visitor (J) Visas webpage.