Visa Types
EXCHANGE VISITORS
Interview for Your U.S. Exchange Visitor's Visa Three Months Before Your Program Starts!
The J exchange visitor program is designed to promote the interchange of persons, knowledge, and skills in the fields of education, arts, and sciences. Participants include students at all academic levels; trainees obtaining on-the-job training with firms, institutions, and agencies; teachers of primary, secondary, and specialized schools; professors coming to teach or do research at institutions of higher learning; research scholars; professional trainees in the medical and allied fields; and international visitors coming for the purpose of travel, observation, consultation, research, training, sharing, or demonstrating specialized knowledge or skills, or participating in organized people-to-people programs.
J1 and J2 visitors may be issued visas at any time before the beginning of their programs. J applicants should apply for their visas as early as possible to leave ample time for the necessary visa processing. However, exchange visitors may not enter the United States earlier than 30 days before the initial program start date. Applicants continuing on an exchange visitors program are not subject to this restriction.
All J applicants should prepare to present the following documentation and any other relevant information at the time of the interview:
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Valid Passport: If your passport will expire less than 6 months from your planned arrival in the United States, or is damaged, or you do not have a page for a visa, please get a new passport before your interview.
- One Photograph: Two inches square color photograph, less than 6 months old, against a white background, full frontal view. The photo should be glued to the printed English DS-160 Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form confirmation page. Click for more information on photo requirements.
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Original Bank Receipt for Application Fee: The application fee may be paid at any CITIC Bank branch in China.
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Completed DS-2019 Form: The name on the form must exactly match the name in your passport and must have been entered into the SEVIS system by the U.S. academic institution. Click for more information on SEVIS.
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SEVIS Fee Receipt: Most J, F, and M applicants must now pay a SEVIS fee. Please bring an electronic receipt or I-797 receipt to your interview. Click for information on how to pay the SEVIS fee.
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Proof of Ties to China: Proof of economic, social, family or other commitments that will help demonstrate your intent to return to China after a temporary stay in the United States.
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Proof of Finances: Proof that you can support yourself during your entire stay in the United States. without working.
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Research/Study Plan: Detailed information about your planned studies or research in the United States. including the name and e-mail address of your advising professor and/or the head of your department in the United States.
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Resume/CV: Detailed information about your past academic and professional experience, including a complete list of all publications to which you have contributed.
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Advisor Biography: Graduate students who have already been assigned an advising professor at their U.S. university should bring a copy of the advisor's biography, CV or webpage.
Special Requirements for J’s
Scholastic Preparation: J exchange visitors must have sufficient scholastic preparation and knowledge of English to enable a full course of study in the place of study at which the applicant has been accepted. If the applicant's knowledge of English is inadequate, documentation must be submitted demonstrating that special arrangements have been made for English language tutoring.
Medical Education and Training: Exchange visitors coming under the J program for graduate medical education/training must meet certain special requirements. These applicants must pass the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination in Medical Sciences and demonstrate competency in English. They are also automatically subject to the two-year foreign residence requirement upon completion of their program, and are subject to time limits on the duration of their program. Physicians coming to the United States. on exchange visitor programs for the purpose of observation, consultation, teaching, or research in which there is little or no patient care are not subject to the above requirements.
The above items should not be considered an exhaustive list and presentation of these documents does not guarantee visa issuance. Be prepared to explain to the visa officer and present evidence regarding why you are going to the United States and why you will return to China.
Your Rights as a Temporary Worker/Exchange Visitor
