Embassy of the United States

Non-Immigrant Visas

Exchange Visitor Visas

The exchange visitor program is designed to promote the interchange of persons, knowledge, and skills in the fields of education, arts, and sciences. Common types of exchanges include: high school students; visiting scholars; visiting researchers; practical trainees; au pairs; camp counselors; etc. There are hundreds of organizations in the U.S., including most universities, which can sponsor an exchange visitor. To learn more about the many exchange visitor options, please visit the State Department’s web page.

Interested applicants must apply directly to the school or organization. Once an applicant is accepted into a program, they are issued a DS-2019. The original document must be presented at the time of the interview in order to qualify for a visa.

SEVIS Fee

Most J visa applicants must pay a SEVIS fee, which covers the cost of administering the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). This fee must be paid before the visitor applies for a visa. Derivative applicants (J-2) and individuals participating in a program sponsored by the US Government whose program number prefix begins with G-1, G-2 or G-3 do not have to pay a SEVIS fee. For further details and information on how to pay the fee, go to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) web page.

Two-Year Rule

Exchange visitors who receive funding from a national government (US or foreign) are subject to INA 212(e) which restricts them from returning to the US as non-immigrant employees (H, L visas) or immigrants (K, or LPR) for two years from the date of their departure from the US. This requirement does not bar them from traveling to the US for other purposes such as conferences and vacations during that time frame. Although not always directly funded by a national government, many foundations receive support from the government which makes the exchange visitor subject. Also, recipients of KELA opintotuki are subject to the two-year rule. To learn more about the rule, please go to the State Department’s web page.

Initial Entry into the U.S.

Please be aware that United States Department of Homeland Security regulations state that first-time holders of J nonimmigrant visas will not be admitted to the United States until a date thirty days or less prior to the beginning of your program date, or start date, as given on your DS-2019. An immigration inspector may deny you entry into the United States if you use a J visa earlier than this thirty-day period. Please consider your entry date carefully when making your travel plans to the United States.

This rule does not apply to returning exchange visitors, who may return to their programs at any time during the validity of their visas.

Employment

Naturally, participants in on-the-job training, teaching, research, or other activities that involve remuneration may be employed. On the other hand, participants in programs that do not involve monetary compensation may not accept outside employment.

Family Members

The spouse and minor children of participants in exchange programs may apply for derivative visas (J2) to accompany or follow to join the principal alien by presenting their own, approved DS-2019. Dependents may apply to the BCIS for authorization to accept employment in the U.S. >> (more info...)

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