Applying for a J Visa

All J-1 and J-2 visa applicants, even children and babies listed in parents' passports are required to:

• Complete the visa application form DS-156.


• Complete a Contact Information and Work History Form DS-158;


• Furnish the DS-2019 - Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status;


• Furnish the DS-7002 2019 - Training/Internship Placement Plan - Required by all trainee or intern visa applicants with DS-2019 forms dated on or after July 19, 2007 (based on Box 7 on form). For more information about the new rules for trainee and intern programs, please follow this link;


• Pay a visa application fee; (if you are being sponsored by the U.S. government, you are not required to pay a visa application fee);


• Present a passport or other travel document valid for at least six months beyond the holder's period of stay in the United States with at least one blank page - the six-month requirement does not apply to United Kingdom passports. If the passport is damaged, we recommend that you obtain a new passport before applying for the visa to avoid any delay in the processing of your application;


• Provide one photograph which meets State Department regulations; and
• Furnish a receipt showing payment of the SEVIS fee.

Note: The decision to approve or deny the application will be based on the interview and information provided orally. However, the consular officer may ask the applicant to provide documentary evidence of the following:

• funds sufficient to cover all expenses including tuition while in the United States. If the terms of the exchange visitor grant will cover the living expenses and other costs, the fully completed DS-2019 will be sufficient; and


• a residence abroad to which he/she intends to return at the end of the stay in the United States. This is generally established by evidence of family, professional, property, employment or other ties and commitments to some country other than the United States sufficient to cause the applicant to return there at the conclusion of his/her stay.

Spouses and Children

The application procedure is the same for spouses and/or children under the age of 21; separate forms DS-2019 are required for each applicant. If applying separately from the principal, a copy of the marriage certificate and/or birth certificate(s) for the child(ren) will be required.

Additional processing requirements and information for the following:

• applicants eligible to apply for a visa by courier
• applicants who have a criminal conviction, are HIV positive,
have a medical ineligibility, have been denied entry into or deported from the United States
• males aged 16 to 45
• nationals of China, Northern Cyprus, Russia, Somalia & Vietnam
• nationals of Cuba, Iran, Syria & Sudan
• professionals and academics in the areas of science and technology
• temporary residents of the United Kingdom

Issuance fees

Nationals of certain countries are required to pay an issuance fee in order for an approved visa to be issued. No fee is charged for the issuance of a J visa to a British citizen passport holder.

How do I apply for the visa?

Applicants aged 14 to 79 are required to appear in person before a U.S. consular officer. Applicants under the age of 14 and thosed aged 80 and over may be eligible to submit their application by courier. See "Applying for a Visa" at top, right-hand side of this page for further information.

Reminder: We always recommend that individuals apply for visas well in advance of their proposed date of travel. No assurances regarding the issuance of visas can be given in advance. Therefore, final travel plans or the purchase of non refundable ticket should not be made until a visa has been issued and you are in receipt of the passport.

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