Differences between a J1 and J2 Visa? The J1 Visa or the Exchange…

Differences between a J1 and J2 Visa?

The J1 Visa or the Exchange Visitor Program is a temporary nonimmigrant visa that allows international applicants to participate in work and study based programs to travel and gain experience in the United States. As for the J2 Visa holder, they go to the US to accompany the J1 Visa holder, meaning you can only get a J2 Visa issued if you are the child or spouse of the J1 Visa applicant.

Do you need Health Insurance as a J1/J2 Visa holder?

To enroll in their respective J1 visa programs, J1 visa holders and their dependents must have appropriate health insurance. Sponsors of the J visa program must ensure that program exchange visitors have insurance coverage that includes some minimum coverage and benefits that protect them for the duration of their exchange visitor program for illness or injuries. Insurance has to be effective during the program cycle of the J visa holder ‘s duration and remain in the United States.

How long can you stay in the US with the J1/J2 Visa?

The length of time you will stay in the U.S. under your J-1 visa depends on your particular program, but, except under some cases, the limit can be seven years. As for the holders of the J2 visa, the length of the visa varies, since the holders of the J2 visa are permitted to remain for the same length as the holders of the J1 exchange visa. So, if their program is going to last two years, then the holder of the J2 can stay for the full term of two years or less.

How many Exchange Visitor Visa holders are in the US?

Via the J1 Exchange Visitor Program each year, about 300,000 foreign tourists from 200 countries and territories come to the U.S. The highest number of exchange guests (35,000) is actually hosted by California, followed by New York (30,000) and Florida (15,000). J1 Visa holders mainly come from: China (40,000), Great Britain (20,000) and Germany (20,000).

Step-by-step guide of the J1 Visa application process!

First: you choose the type of J1 Visa program you want to enroll in. Second:  you find a sponsor to help you with the application process. Third: you fill in the DS-2019 Form and pay for the SEVIS fee. Fourth: you complete the Online nonimmigrant application Form which is the DS-160. And fifth: you schedule the interview with the Embassy or Consulate.

What happens if you are ACCEPTED into an Exchange Visitor Program?

You will be enrolled in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) when you are accepted into the exchange visitor program you plan to take part in. Then, you will have to pay for the SEVIS I-901 Fee and a SEVIS-generated Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status (Form DS-2019) is given to you after your program sponsor enters your information into the SEVIS system.

Differences between the J1 and J2 Visa Application?

The requirements are pretty similar but in some ways they differ. For a J1 Visa you need: a valid passport, SEVIS i-901 fee, insurance fee, the printed out DS-160 Form, the application fee receipt, a 2×2 photo of yourself, the DS-2019 Form, for the J1 Visa applicants the DS-7002 Form depending on which program they applied for and as for the J2 Visa the DS-7002 Form depending on which program their J1 Visa holder applied for, the I-94 document and the birth/marriage certificate.

What can YOU benefit from going to the US as an Exchange visitor?

The US is known for its variety, and is the ideal location for those looking to advance their career. Through its flexible research methods, it will not only provide you with experience, it will also open up a wide range of career opportunities for you. Universities in the USA offer multiple internship programs, so studying or completing an internship there will allow your professional career to flourish.