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:
Step 1: Pay the SEVIS Fee
Bermudan or Canadian CitizensBermudan 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)
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Step 3: Schedule a Visa Interview
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 InterviewAt 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:
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 DocumentsNew Scholars will need:
New Students will need:
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 ChecksSome 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 VisaIf 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. |
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.