J-1 Visa Program - Educational Based Visa

J-1 Visa Program Requirements

The J-1 visa program can provide many professional and education based visa opportunities for international visitors to the United States. There are currently 14 different programs within the J-1 visa program umbrella. These multifaceted education based visa programs range from teaching to studying and conducting research. Foreign nations may also demonstrate special skills and can receive on the job training for a few weeks to up to several years under the J-1 visa program. The Phoenix immigration lawyers at Zanes Law regularly help foreign nationals obtain entry into the United States through the J-1 Visa program. Check out the requirements and regulations for each category of the J-1 visa program to determine which one is right for you.

J-1 visa program for Au Pairs

Purpose of Visit: Provide child care to host families and take courses at a U.S. post-secondary accredited academic institution.
Position in Home Country: Secondary school graduate or equivalent.
Visitor Eligibility: Between 18-and-26-years-old. Successful in passing a background investigation and a personality profile.
Duration of U.S. Visit: 12 months. Option to extend 6, 9, or 12 months.
Repeat Participation: Yes, after 24 months residency outside U.S.

J-1 visa program for Camp Counselors

Purpose of Visit: Serve as counselors in U.S. summer camps.
Position in Home Country: Bona fide youth workers, students, teachers, or individuals with specialized skills.
Visitor Eligibility: At least 18 years of age.
Duration of U.S. Visit: 4 months.
Repeat Participation: Yes.

J-1 visa program for Government Visitors

Purpose of Visit: Engage in observation tours, discussions, consultations, professional meetings, conferences, workshops and travel.
Position in Home Country: An influential or distinguished person.
Visitor Eligibility: Selected by a U.S. federal, state or local government agency.

Education based visa for interns

Purpose of Visit: Participate in a structured internship program that is in the student’s field of study.
Position in Home Country: Enrolled in an academic university or college outside of the U.S. or graduated within 12 months of program start.
Visitor Eligibility: Currently enrolled in at a foreign post-secondary academic institution outside the U.S. OR graduated no more than 12 months prior to their program start date.
Duration of U.S. Visit: 3 weeks – 12 months
Repeat Participation: Yes, if advanced internship at the next degree level.

J-1 visa program for International Visitors (Department of State use)

Purpose of Visit: Engage in consultation, observation, research, training or demonstration of special skills. Designed expresses for people-to people programs that develop and strengthen professional and personal ties between key foreign nationals and Americans and American institutions.
Position in Home Country: A recognized or potential leader in a field of specialized knowledge or skill.
Visitor Eligibility: Selected by the United States Department of State.

Education based visa for Physicians

Purpose of Visit: Pursue graduate medical education or training at accredited schools of medicine or scientific institutions.
Position in Home Country: Graduate medical student with adequate prior education and training.
Visitor Eligibility: Have passed a qualifying medical examination (i.e. National Board of Medical Examiners). Have documented need in physician’s home country for the skills sought while in the U.S.
Duration of U.S. Visit: Limited to 7 years unless there is documented exceptional need.
Repeat Participation: Up to 1 year.

J-1 visa program for Professors or Research Scholars

Purpose of Visit: For research scholars, one must do research, observe, or consult in connection with a research project. For professors, one must teach or lecture at university, observe, or consult.
Position in Home Country: Professor, Researcher, Post-doc or Pre-doc, Graduate Students/Similar (Doctors, attorneys, etc.).
Visitor Eligibility: Temporary, non-tenure track appointments. Minimum qualifications: bachelor’s degree with appropriate experience in the field in which research is to be conducted. Not physically in U.S. for all or part of 12-months preceding start date, unless excluded according to 22 CFR 62.20(d)(2)(iiii).
Duration of U.S. Visit: 3 weeks – 5 years.
Repeat Participation: Yes, after 24 months residency outside U.S.

J-1 visa program for Short-Term Scholars

Purpose of Visit: Lecture, observe, consult, train, or demonstrate special skill(s).
Purpose of Visit: Lecture, observe, consult, train, or demonstrate special skill(s).
Visitor Eligibility: A short-term U.S. visit to lecture, observe, consult, train, or to demonstrate special skills at research institutions, museums, libraries, post-secondary educational institutions.
Duration of U.S. Visit: 1 day – 6 months.
Repeat Participation: Yes, and there is no waiting period.

J-1 visa program for Specialists

Purpose of Visit: Observe, consult, or demonstrate special skills.
Position in Home Country: Recognized as an expert in a field of specialized knowledge or skill.
Visitor Eligibility: (1) Is an expert in a field of specialized knowledge/skill; (2)Travel to the U.S. to observe, consult, or demonstrate their special knowledge or skills; AND (3) Does not fill a permanent/long term position in the U.S.
Duration of U.S. Visit: 3 weeks – 12 months.
Repeat Participation: Yes, and there is no waiting period.

Education based visa for Students (College or University)

Purpose of Visit: Participate in a degree or non-degree program at an accredited post-secondary academic institution, or in a student internship program.
Position in Home Country: College or University degree or non-degree applicant. For internships that satisfy degree requirements, EVPs must be enrolled in a university or college outside of the U.S.
Visitor Eligibility: Admitted into a course of study in the U.S. The student must not be funded primarily by personal or family funds.
Duration of U.S. Visit: Duration of course of study. Or 24 Months for non-degree students. Or 12 months for student interns.
Repeat Participation: Yes.

Education based visa for Students (Secondary)

Purpose of Visit: Study in the U.S. at an accredited public or private secondary school for an academic semester or an academic year, while living with American host families.
Position in Home Country: Secondary school students who have not completed more than 11 years of primary and secondary study. Between the ages of 15 years old and 18 years and six months old.
Visitor Eligibility: All exchange students to be enrolled and participating in a full course of study at an accredited academic institution.
Duration of U.S. Visit: No less than one academic semester and no more than two academic semesters. (Or quarter equivalent).
Repeat Participation: No.

J-1 visa program for Summer Work and Travel

Purpose of Visit: Provide foreign students with opportunities to experience U.S. culture while working in unskilled seasonal or temporary jobs.
Position in Home Country: Enrolled in a university or college outside of the U.S. (including final year students).
Visitor Eligibility: Full time student at accredited post- secondary, classroom-based, academic institutions outside of the U.S. & has completed at least one semester.
Duration of U.S. Visit: 4 months. (12 months for AUS/NZ pilot program).
Repeat Participation: Yes.

J-1 visa program for Teachers

Purpose of Visit: Teach full-time in an accredited primary or secondary (K-12) public or private school, including pre- kindergarten.
Position in Home Country: Current teacher, or has had at least two years of full-time teaching experience within the past 8 years and has or will have completed an advanced degree (beyond the B.A. equivalent) in the past 12 months.
Visitor Eligibility: Minimum 2 years teaching experience, a B.A. equivalent, and satisfies the teaching eligibility standards of the U.S. state in which teacher is placed.
Duration of U.S. Visit: Up to 3 years, with one or two year extensions permitted with application to sponsor.
Repeat Participation: Yes, after 24 months of residency outside the U.S.

Education based visa for Trainees

Purpose of Visit: Participate in structured training program that is in the trainee’s professional field.
Position in Home Country: Has a post-secondary degree or certificate from outside of the U.S. and 1 year of work experience; or 5 years of work experience.
Visitor Eligibility: Has degree or professional certificate from a foreign post- secondary institution AND at least 1 year prior related experience outside the U.S. OR have 5 years of experience in the field in which they are training.
Duration of U.S. Visit: 3 weeks – 18 months; Hospitality: max 12 months.
Repeat Participation: Yes, after 24 months of residency outside the U.S.

The Zanes Law Phoenix Immigration lawyers

Doug Zanes and his team of Phoenix immigration lawyers help clients navigate the complicated U.S. immigration system. If you are interested in having help with the J-1 visa program or learning more about how to obtain an education based visa please contact us for a free consultation.

J 1 Visa Requirements