Overview - About the Exchange Visitor Program

International educational and cultural exchanges are one of the most effective means of developing lasting and meaningful relationships. They provide an extremely valuable opportunity to experience the United States and our way of life. Foreign nationals come to the United States to participate in a wide variety of educational and cultural exchange programs.

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) provides the exchange visitor (J) nonimmigrant visa category for persons who are approved to participate in exchange visitor programs in the United States. This means that before you can apply at an American Embassy or Consulate for a J visa you must apply, meet the requirements, and be accepted for one of the Exchange Visitor Program categories through a designated sponsoring organization. If you are accepted as a participant in an exchange program, the sponsor will provide you with information and documents necessary to apply for the J visa to enter the United States.

Applying for J visa

In order to participate at the Exchange Visitor Program, you must apply and receive J visa from US embassy in your country. The waiting time for J visa interview appointment for applicants can vary, so early visa application is strongly encouraged. You may apply for your visa at an Embassy or Consulate any time before the beginning of your exchange program.

Each visa applicant must submit these forms and documentation, and submit fees as explained below:

• DS 2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status
• A Training/Internship Placement Plan, Form DS-7002
• An application, Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 
• A passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in the United States.
• One (1) 2x2 photograph.
• Nonimmigrant visa application processing fee is $131.00 and the proof of payment receipt must accompany your visa application.

DS2019 (Certificate of Eligibility) form

The Form DS-2019 is the “Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status”.  The Form DS-2019 is a controlled document which only State Department-designated sponsors are authorized to issue to foreign nationals (prospective exchange visitors) they have screened and selected for participation in their State Department-designated exchange visitor program.   Foreign nationals (prospective exchange visitors) then apply at a U.S. embassy or consulate for the J-1 exchange visitor visa to participate in their prospective sponsor’s exchange visitor program.

What is SEVIS?

The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is designed to help the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State better monitor school and exchange program visitors. Exchange visitor and student information is maintained in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). All exchange visitor applicants must have a SEVIS generated DS 2019 issued by a Department of State designated sponsor, which they submit when they are applying for their exchange visitor visa.

Medical Insurance

All exchange visitor program participants are required to maintain medical insurance for the entire duration of their program and stay in the U.S.  Therefore all applicants must either purchase the health care insurance policy from us or provide the copy of their own insurance policy for review prior to applying for DS-2019.