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Applying for a J-1 Visa

To enter the U.S. as a J-1 student or scholar, you will need to apply for a J-1 visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. 

First obtain your DS-2019, then follow the steps below:

Steps to follow to obtain a J-1 visa

Step 1: Pay the SEVIS Fee

  • Before applying for your J-1 visa, you must pay a SEVIS Fee of $220. You can pay this electronically or by mail, but payment must be received at least 3 days before the visa interview, or for Bermudan or Canadian citizens, 3 days before you enter the U.S.
  • For scholars, the department which has invited you may pay the fee on your behalf. This is usually the case if you will receive a salary from the university.
  • Continuing J-1 students and scholars who have already begun a program in the U.S. in J-1 status are not required to pay this fee, unless they are returning from a leave of absence and traveling on a new DS-2019.  For more information about this, contact the Office of International Students, Scholars & Programs.

Bermudan or Canadian Citizens

Bermudan or Canadian citizens do not need to apply for a J-1/J-2 visa; they may simply enter with the DS-2019, passport, invitation letter, evidence of SEVIS Fee payment, and evidence of financial support. They will however, have to pay the SEVIS fee at least 3 days before entering the U.S. The SEVIS fee cannot be paid at the border.

Step 2: Complete the Online Visa Application (DS-160)

  • Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160. Learn more about completing the DS-160. You must: 1) complete the online visa application and 2) print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview.
    • Note: If you need to list a U.S. address in your application, you can list the address of your department, or ISSP's physical address (200 S. Boundary St, Williamsburg, VA 23185).
  • Photo – You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. Your photo must be in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements.

Step 3: Schedule a Visa Interview

  • Instructions will be on the website of the embassy or consulate at which you apply. This is typically handled by a call center or service that contracts with the embassy. U.S. State Department policy requires that embassies and consulates give students priority in visa appointments.
  • As a part of the process, you will pay the visa application fee and sometimes a visa reciprocity fee, which varies by country, and is rarely applicable.

If you need an earlier visa appointment to facilitate your arrival at the beginning of the semester, you can try to submit a request for an expedited visa appointment. You usually need to schedule a regular visa appointment before you can request an expedited date. Please note that expedited appointments will only be granted at the Consular/Embassy Section’s discretion.

What to Expect at the Visa Interview

At the visa application appointment, the officer will conduct a brief interview of you and review your documents.

To obtain a J-1 visa, you will need the following documents:

  • DS-2019 (the department sponsoring you can provide you with information about obtaining a DS-2019; it will typically be issued by the Office of International Students, Scholars & Programs (ISSP), or by your program sponsor, if you are sponsored by Fulbright, etc.)
  • a valid passport
  • evidence of financial support (Certification of Financial Support, bank statement, assistantship or scholarship letter, job offer letter, etc.)
  • evidence of ties to your home country (employment offer, concrete plans on how your education/work in the U.S. will help your career in your home country, family and property ties, etc.)
  • visa application form DS-160. If you need to list a U.S. address in your application, you can list the address of your department, or the Office of International Students, Scholars & Program's physical address (200 S. Boundary St, Williamsburg, VA 23185).

In some cases the consulate may keep your DS-2019. If you do not receive your DS-2019 after your appointment, contact ISSP for a replacement, as you will need this when traveling to the U.S.

Additional Documents

New Scholars will need:

  • documents listed above
  • receipt of the SEVIS fee payment
  • invitation letter/job offer letter from W&M or VIMS

New Students will need:

  • documents listed above
  • receipt of the SEVIS fee payment
  • Admission letter from William & Mary or VIMS

Continuing students and scholars will need:

Students on Academic Training will need:

Check with your U.S. Consulate to see if they require any additional documents.

Security Checks

Some of you may be subject to a security check as part of your visa application, which may delay getting your visa. This is often referred to as "administrative processing." While most security checks are completed within 2 weeks, (the U.S. State Department works with the other federal agencies involved to expedite them), in rare cases they can take several months. Various factors may make you more likely to have a security check, such as your country of citizenship, your gender, and the field you are studying.

Authorization of your J-1 Visa

If the consular officer grants you the visa, the officer will instruct you on when and where you can pick it up. The visa will have an expiration date; however, the expiration date on the visa is not the date by which you must leave the U.S. You may stay in the U.S. on an expired J-1 visa as long as you maintain your immigration status by being in possession of a valid DS-2019 and follow all immigration rules. If you have left the U.S. and your J-1 visa has expired, you will need to apply for a new one to re-enter the U.S.

Bermudan and Canadian citizens do not need a J-1 visa to enter the U.S.

You may stay in the U.S. until the completion of your program (see program end date on DS-2019) plus 30 days (e.g., grace period). During the 30 days grace period, you may travel in the U.S., prepare for your return home, etc; however, you cannot work during that period - even on-campus.

10 Tips for a Successful Visa Interview

Applying for a visa after Changing Status

If you are currently in the U.S. in another status and plan to change status to J-1, please see Changing Status to J-1 for more information.

If you have already changed status within the U.S. (e.g., F-1 to J-1) and this will be your first subsequent J-1 visa application, you should carry with you your I-797 Change of Status Approval Notice as well as documentation of your previous status with you (e.g., old I-20).

Entry to the U.S.

On you first entry to the US with your DS-2019, you cannot enter earlier than 30 days before the start date on your DS-2019. For travel after that, (e.g., summer break), there is no restriction.