What happens if you are ACCEPTED into an Exchange Visitor Program? You will…
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.
Why is the United States the first choice for research work and studying?
There are many reasons why the United States is one of the top picks not only for international students but also for professors or trainees wanting to participate in an exchange visitor program. Some of the reasons are: colleges in the United States offer a high – quality education, a culturally diverse environment, internships and career advancement for their students, specialized services and more.
Which type of Exchange Visa should YOU apply for?
Depending on your reason for visiting the United States, you could either apply for the J1 Visa which is a nonimmigrant temporary Visa for work and study based programs or the J2 Visa which is also a temporary Visa but you can only accompany a J1 Visa holder.
The steps of applying for the J1 Visa go like this: First, you choose the type of J1 Visa program you want to enroll in; Second, you find a sponsor; 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.
What are the BENEFITS of the J2 Visa?
A J2 Visa holder has many benefits that other dependent Visa holders do not have. Besides the fact that they can accompany their spouse or parent they can also join their J1 Visa holder in their exchange program in the United States. They can also study and work in the U.S. as long as their J1 Visa holder is there!
Which documents do you need for the Exchange Visa interview?
The documents needed to be able to apply for the J Visas at the embassy/consulate are: a valid passport, the printed out DS-160 Form, SEVIS i-901 fee, insurance fee, the application fee receipt, a 2×2 photo of yourself, DS-2019 Form, the DS-7002 Form depending on which program you applied for. Keep in mind that if you are applying for the J2 Visa you also need the I-94 document and the birth/marriage certificate.
How many J1 Visas have been accepted?
Each year the number of J1 Visas keeps increasing because of how culturally diverse the programs being sponsored by U.S. universities/private sectors are. So it comes as no surprise that there have been 350,000 J1 Visas issued in past years where most of them have been from China, Great Britain and Germany. 85% of them are younger than 30 and 50% are female!
When can you work in the US as a J2 dependent?
If a J2 dependent after arriving in the US wants to work in order to support themselves then they can apply for the work authorization. If it is approved, then the USCIS is going to issue an EAD (Employment Authorization Document). EAD works as evidence of your work authorization and the J2 dependent can work only after receiving it.