Attend Your Visa Interview
A consular officer will interview you to determine whether you are qualified to receive an exchange visitor visa. You must establish that you meet the requirements under U.S. law to receive a visa.;
Ink-free, digital fingerprint scans are taken as part of the application process. They are usually taken during your interview, but this varies based on location.
After your visa interview, the consular officer may determine that your application requires further;administrative processing.;The consular officer will inform you if this is required.
After the visa is approved, you;may need to pay a visa issuance fee , and make arrangements for the return of the passport and visa to you. Review the visa processing times;to learn more.
Benefits Of Teaching In The United States For International Teachers
Teaching in the United States is an excellent opportunity that provides many benefits that we’ll explore in this section:
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Exhilarating and new life experiences: working in a new country is always an exhilarating experience, especially when you’re a teacher meeting new students and their parents. The US teacher exchange program offers unique experiences few other jobs do.
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Valuable work experience: ‘teaching experience in the US’ is one of the best things you can put on your resume as a teacher. It shows you have experience teaching in a foreign environment meeting high standards. It’ll open up entirely new avenues for you.
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Excellent working conditions: income levels in the United States are one of the highest in the world, and this is especially true for teachers . If you are teaching a foreign language or have unique teaching experience, you’ll be compensated very well in the US.
Applying For A No Objection Statement
The Embassy will provide you with a statement that the Australian Government has no objection to you not returning to Australia and no objection to the possibility of you becoming a lawful permanent resident of the United States. This statement must be submitted directly to the Department of State Waiver Review Division by the Embassy.
To apply for a “No Objection” Statement you are required to submit the following documents by mail:
- a copy of your completed data sheet, including the “Third Party Barcode Page”
- your waiver case file number
- a cover letter with your contact details
- the number, place of issue and expiration date of your Australian passport
- USD$180;, payable by Visa or Mastercard only ).;No cash/cheques are accepted and
- a signed declaration made before and signed by a Notary Public in the following form:
- I do solemnly and sincerely declare that I am under no obligation, financial or otherwise, to return to Australia at the completion of my exchange in the United States of America under the J Visa program.
If you make your request at the Embassy in person, you may sign the declaration before a consular official instead of a Notary Public. There is an additional fee of USD$56;for this service.; *** Please note:; Due to COVID-19, the Embassy is not currently accepting applications in person.; Please submit your application by mail to the address below using a Notary Public to witness your declaration. ***
Applications should be addressed to:
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How Long Can I Stay With A J
You can stay with a J-1 visa for up to two or three years. However, the length at which you are allowed to stay in the US under J-1 visa changes depending on what program you applied for.
For example, if you are a university student, your visa is valid as long as your study program lasts, but with a short-term scholar, you can only stay for six months. Usually, all J-1 visa holders are given a 30 day grace period after their visa expires to arrange their travel back home.
J1 Visa Extension: What It Is How To Get One And How It Can Help You

As a J1 visa holder, the last thing you want happening is nearing the completion of your academic program just to have your visa expire before youve finished, but it happens. Luckily, you can apply for a J1 visa extension.
Below well explain what a J1 visa extension is and how the J1 visa extension process works.
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About The Us Exchange Visitor Program
The U.S. Exchange Visitor Program allows participants to share their own culture while learning about American culture. It also provides an opportunity for participants to sharpen language, professional, and interpersonal skills that will serve them in future careers.
The exchange visitor program consists of 15 categories. Each category has specific J-1 visa requirements and regulations for participation.
You may be eligible to participate in an exchange program if you fall under one of these categories:
Why Hire Us To Help You With Your J
Instead of worrying about whether you can satisfy the many strict details of the J-1 visa, we take the burden of preparing the application, so you can focus on the other important elements of your temporary stay in the United States. Our lawyers have helped hundreds of applicants get admitted to the United States on a J-1 visa, and we can help you too!
The first step towards obtaining a J-1 visa is getting an assessment of your case. Fill out our immigration assessment form and we’ll get back to you within 24 hours to discuss your eligibility and options.
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Read Your Sevis Form Ds
Please note that your SEVIS Form DS-2019 indicates that we have created a record on your behalf in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System . Your SEVIS ID number is found in the upper right hand corner of page one of your SEVIS Form DS-2019. If any information on this form is incorrect, please contact our office . If all of the information on the form is correct, sign your name in the appropriate space on the form. If you have dependents who will be traveling with you, they will receive their own Form DS-2019 to assist with their application for J-2 visa. Please contact the ISSO if you intend to bring your dependents to the U.S. with you and you have not received separate documentation for your dependent family members.
Please refer to the start date in section three of the SEVIS Form DS-2019 to make sure that it is accurate. Note that entry to the U.S. in J-1 scholar status or J-2 dependent status is permitted up to 30 days before and up to 30 days after this start date. If it will not be possible to enter the U.S. AND REPORT TO THE ISSO within 30 days of the start date, please notify the ISSO.
Note: The spelling of your name and your date of birth must be exactly as they appear in your passport. The same is true for dependents. If your name and/or date of birth on SEVIS Form DS-2019 are not exactly the same as the information that appears in your passport, please request a corrected SEVIS Form DS-2019 from our office.
What If Your J1 Visa Extension Is Denied
If your J1 visa extension application is denied, you will have to go back to your home country. You have a 30 day grace period from the date of completion indicated on your original DS-2019 to do this. If you stay in the U.S. after this 30 day grace period, you may be regarded as out of status. This can have serious consequences if you try to apply for a green card or visa in the future.
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If My Application For A Waiver Is Denied Can I Use The Same Fee For Another Waiver Request
Unfortunately, the fee is a processing fee, meaning it is for each application filed whether approved or denied. You will have to pay another processing fee for your new waiver application. However, you should use the same case number you used in the first application for any subsequent requests you will submit.
The Ultimate Guide To The J
This guide contains an overview of everything you need to know as a J-1 visa holder from eligibility to requirements, costs, employment authorization and more.
We and all of our authors strive to provide you with high-quality content. However, the written content on this website solely represents the views of the authors, unless otherwise specifically cited, but doesnât represent professional financial or legal advice. As we cannot guarantee the accuracy or completeness of the published articles or sources referenced, please use the information at your own discretion.
Each year thousands of people travel to the U.S. on J-1 visas to partake in research, training, study as well as intercultural activities as camp counselors, au pairs, and more. During their stay, J-1 visa holders must navigate requirements from taxes to insurance, and more. Many individuals in the U.S. on J-1 visa, however, are subject to the two-year home residency requirement in order to adjust to permanent resident status or change to a non-immigrant status .
This guide contains an overview of everything you need to know as a J-1 visa holder from eligibility to requirements, costs, employment authorization and more.
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How Long Can I Stay In The United States With A J
You are allowed to stay in the United States up to 30 days after your program end date. If you do not leave on time, you may be ineligible for visas in the future. Additionally, if your sponsor terminates your participation for just cause, you will be expected to depart the United States immediately. You will not be entitled to the post-completion 30-day period because you did not successfully complete your program.
If your visa expires during your program period and you do not plan to travel outside of the U.S., you do not need to renew the visa. If you travel outside of the United States when your visa is expired, you will have to apply for a new J-1 visa in your home country. Note that your sponsor is responsible for helping you with everything related to your J-1 program, including authorizing travel outside of the U.S. and ensuring that your J-1 non-immigrant documents are valid. Contact your sponsor if you are concerned about your visa.
Remember, your current J-1 visa is only applicable for your current program and sponsor. When you complete your program, you are expected to leave the United States. If you intend to pursue a 2nd J-1 exchange program , you will need to apply for a new J-1 visa for the new program to re-enter the U.S. for the 2nd program.
Two-year Home-country Physical Presence Requirement Conditions:
- Government-Funded Exchange Program.
Pay The Visa Issuance Fee

All J-1 visa applicants must pay a $160 visa issuance fee either before or at their interview appointment. If you are required to pay before your interview, you will need to bring the receipt of payment to your appointment.
You must pay at your appointment if you are not required to pay beforehand. Be sure to bring an appropriate form of payment in the correct amount. You will find this information on the embassy or consulate website.
J-1 visa applicants participating in an exchange program sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, a U.S. Agency for International Development , or other federally funded exchange program do not need to pay a visa issuance fee.;
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How Long Does It Take To Get The J
The total time required to process your J-1 sponsorship application depends on how quickly you and your host company provide CICD with all necessary materials and information as well as how busy the Visa Section is in your local US Embassy or Consulate.
Once you receive the necessary documents from CICD, you will need to apply for the J-1 Visa in-person at a U.S. consulate or embassy in your home country. This process may take anywhere from one day to four or more weeks, depending on the specific consulate or embassy where you apply.
We recommend you submit to CICD your application for J-1 sponsorship well in advance of the desired start date of your training to avoid possible delays.Only a US consulate or embassy can grant your J-1 visa for your internship or trainee program. J-1 sponsors like CICD cannot guarantee that a US consulate or embassy will grant any particular applicant the J-1 Visa.
Review And Sign Your Ds
The DS-2019 Form is not a visa application form or a J-1 Visa. Instead, it certifies your eligibility and allows you to apply for a J-1 Visa.
- Read both sides and thoroughly check the information . Errors on this form could result in a visa denial. Please inform InterExchange Career Training USA immediately if you discover any errors.
- Read the instructions on the back of the form and sign your name at the bottom of page 1 to accept the terms and conditions on page 2. Your signature is an explicit acceptance of the terms of the program.
- Keep your DS-2019 Form in good condition throughout the entire visa process and your stay in the U.S.
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Submit Your Application To The Embassy
After completing the Form DS-2019, you submit it, together with other supporting documents, to the U.S. Department of State at an embassy or consulate.
Your application must consist out of at least:
- DS-2019 Form,
- DS-7002 Form ,
- Form DS-160 ,
- A valid passport for travel in the U.S. This passport must be valid for 6 months after the period in which you intend to stay in the U.S. ends, and
- One 2 x 2 photograph.
Your embassy or consulate may require additional documents, so it is preferable to contact them directly to make sure.
Teaching Jobs In The Us
The easiest way to find a teaching job in the US is looking through the job postings here on j1teachers.com. Once you have found a job that you like and you are accepted by the host school, HTP J-1 Visa Programs will issue paperwork for the J-1 visa. When you apply for a J-1 visa, you have to understand that there are three key institutions involved in your teaching job:
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Responsibilities When Teaching In The Us
All of these benefits don’t come without any responsibilities, however. the responsibilities of teaching in the United States under the exchange program doesn’t differ much from regular teaching jobs in most countries. Despite that, when deciding to take on teaching jobs in the United States, it is important to keep responsibilities in mind:
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The program only applies to full-time teaching positions.
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If you want to teach at the pre-kindergarten level, you can only teach language immersion.
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Each year, the teacher is required to complete ‘a cultural activity component’. These include either activities that familiarize the school with the teacher’s home country or activities that facilitate communication between students in the United States with students/teachers in other countries.
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Of course, these are not your only responsibilities. Host schools and the state you move to both have their own list of responsibilities and requirements. You must read both carefully if you want to be a J1 teacher in the US.
Exchange Visitor Program Information On Coronavirus
EXTENSION OF VALIDITY FOR NATIONAL INTEREST EXCEPTIONS FOR TRAVELERS FROM CHINA, IRAN, SOUTH AFRICA, THE SCHENGEN AREA, THE UNITED KINGDOM, IRELAND, AND INDIA:;If;a J-1;exchange visitor has an approved;National Interest Exception under;a geographic Presidential Proclamation, how long;will that NIE be valid?
For press inquiries, please contact .
FOR PARTICIPANTS
- Exchange Visitor Program participants should contact their sponsor if they have any questions about the effects of COVID-19 on their EVP program.
FOR J-1 VISA APPLICANTS/SELECTEES
FOR SPONSORS
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Can I Apply For A Waiver Recommendation Based On Exceptional Hardship And Persecution Simultaneously
No. As much as the two bases appear to be somewhat similar, they have different eligibility criteria. If your situation makes you qualify for a waiver under both persecution and exceptional hardship to your U.S. citizen or permanent resident child or spouse persecution, you will have to choose one out of the two bases and apply accordingly. If your waiver is denied for one, you can always reapply through the other, though a new processing fee will be required.
Can I Change My Status While On A J

While in the United States, you may decide that you would like to switch to a different visa status, such as a change from a J-1 visa to an F-1 visa. If you would like to change your J-1 nonimmigrant status to a different one, you will first need to work with your sponsoring organization and receive a new Form DS-2019 and submit that form with your Form I-539, Application To Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status to the USCIS. There is a $370 filing fee with this application.
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Can I Get A J1 Visa For A Second Time
Typically, J1 visas for teachers are given out for periods less than 3 years, but your host school can apply for a two-year extension. After this, you have to go back to your home country and you can’t reapply immediately. After spending two years in your home country, you can reapply again for a J1 visa.