Guide to the J-1 Exchange Visitor visa, covering DS-2019 sponsorship, SEVIS fee payment, visa interview preparation, the two-year home residency requirement, and waiver options for those subject to 212(e).
Identify and apply to a designated J-1 sponsor organization
J-1 sponsors are designated by the U.S. Department of State. There are roughly 1,500 active sponsors. Each sponsor manages specific program categories (intern, trainee, research scholar, professor, au pair, summer work travel, etc.). Search the sponsor list at j1visa.state.gov.
Determine which J-1 category fits your situation (intern, trainee, research scholar, etc.)
Apply to a designated sponsor organization that administers your category
Provide required documentation to your sponsor
Sponsors typically require your resume, transcripts, proof of English proficiency, proof of financial support, a training plan or research proposal (depending on category), and a copy of your passport. Requirements vary by sponsor — confirm their specific checklist.
Receive your Form DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility)
The DS-2019 is your program authorization document. It lists your program dates, category, sponsor, and host organization. Review it carefully for errors — your name must match your passport exactly. You'll need the SEVIS ID number (starts with N000) from this form.
Check if you're subject to the two-year home residency requirement
Box 7 on your DS-2019 indicates if Section 212(e) applies. You're subject to it if your program is funded by the U.S. or your home government, your field is on the Skills List for your country, or you're a J-1 physician. If yes, you must return home for 2 years before applying for H, K, or L visas or a green card.
SEVIS Fee and Pre-Interview Steps
Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee online
Pay at fmjfee.com at least 3 business days before your visa interview. The fee is $220 for most J-1 categories or $35 for au pairs and summer work travel participants. You'll need your SEVIS ID from the DS-2019. Print the payment confirmation receipt.
Complete the DS-160 online visa application
Fill out the DS-160 at ceac.state.gov. It takes about 75 minutes. You'll need your DS-2019 SEVIS number, travel dates, sponsor information, and host organization details. Upload a compliant photo (2x2 inches, white background, taken within 6 months).
Pay the visa application (MRV) fee
The MRV fee for J-1 visas is $185. Payment methods vary by country — check your local embassy website. Some countries have reciprocal visa issuance fees on top of the MRV fee. Keep the receipt; you'll need the receipt number to schedule the interview.
Schedule your visa interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate
Schedule through ustraveldocs.com or your local embassy website. Wait times range from a few days to several weeks depending on the post and season. Summer is the busiest period. You can enter the U.S. up to 30 days before your program start date on the DS-2019.
Visa Interview
Gather all required documents for the interview
Bring: valid passport, DS-2019 (original), DS-160 confirmation page, SEVIS fee receipt, MRV fee receipt, passport photo, and proof of financial support. Also bring your training plan or acceptance letter, host organization details, and evidence of ties to your home country.
Original DS-2019 signed by you and your sponsor
SEVIS I-901 fee receipt and DS-160 confirmation barcode
Proof of financial support (bank statements, sponsor funding letter, or scholarship documentation)
Attend the visa interview
Arrive 15 minutes early. The interview lasts 5-10 minutes. Common questions: What program are you participating in? Who is your sponsor? What will you do after the program ends? Be ready to explain your program, host organization, and plans to return home.
Receive your visa decision
Most decisions are made on the same day. If approved, the embassy retains your passport for 3-7 business days for visa printing. If placed in administrative processing (Section 221(g)), it can take weeks to months. Check your case status at ceac.state.gov.
Program Participation and Compliance
Enter the U.S. within 30 days before your program start date
Your DS-2019 lists the program start and end dates. You may enter up to 30 days early but cannot begin program activities until the start date. Present your passport, visa, and DS-2019 to CBP at entry.
Report to your sponsor and validate your SEVIS record
Contact your sponsor within the first few days of arrival to confirm you've entered the U.S. and begun your program. Your sponsor activates your SEVIS record, changing your status from "Initial" to "Active." Keep your sponsor informed of any address changes.
Maintain your J-1 status throughout the program
You must participate in the program full-time and follow all sponsor rules. Unauthorized employment outside your program is prohibited. If you need to extend your program, request it through your sponsor (who amends the DS-2019) before your current end date.
Use the 30-day grace period after program completion
After your program end date, you have 30 days to depart the U.S. or change to another valid status. You cannot work during this grace period. Travel within the U.S. is permitted, but you cannot re-enter the country if you leave.
Two-Year Home Residency Requirement and Waiver
Determine if Section 212(e) applies to you
Check box 7 on your DS-2019. Also check the State Department's Skills List for your home country at travel.state.gov. If your field appears on the list, you're subject to the requirement even if your DS-2019 doesn't explicitly say so.
Understand the waiver options available
Five waiver bases exist: (1) No Objection Statement from your home government, (2) Request by an interested U.S. government agency, (3) Persecution claim, (4) Exceptional hardship to a U.S. citizen/permanent resident spouse or child, (5) Conrad State 30 program (for physicians). The No Objection route is most common.
Request a No Objection Statement from your home country's embassy in Washington, D.C.
File Form DS-3035 (J-1 Waiver Recommendation Application) online at j1visa.state.gov
Submit the waiver application to the State Department Waiver Review Division
File the DS-3035 online and mail supporting documents to the Waiver Review Division. Include a personal statement, the No Objection letter (if applicable), and a copy of all DS-2019s issued to you. Processing takes 4-8 months. Once the State Department makes a recommendation, USCIS issues the final waiver decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of J-1 programs are available?
The J-1 visa covers 15 program categories: Au Pair, Camp Counselor, College/University Student, Government Visitor, Intern, International Visitor, Physician, Professor, Research Scholar, Short-Term Scholar, Specialist, Summer Work Travel, Teacher, Trainee, and Secondary School Student. Each category has different eligibility requirements, duration limits (from 3 weeks to 7 years), and rules about employment. Your J-1 sponsor organization determines which category you fall under.
What is the J-1 two-year home residency requirement?
Some J-1 participants are subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement (INA Section 212(e)), meaning they must return to their home country for at least 2 years before they can apply for an H, K, or L visa or a green card. This requirement applies if your program was government-funded, your field of study is on the Exchange Visitor Skills List for your country, or you participated in a graduate medical education program. A waiver is possible through a No Objection Statement, an Interested Government Agency request, persecution claims, or exceptional hardship to a US citizen spouse or child.
How much does the J-1 visa cost?
The J-1 visa application fee (MRV fee) is $185. Additionally, J-1 applicants must pay the SEVIS I-901 fee of $220 (or $35 for certain short-term categories). Your J-1 sponsor organization may also charge program fees ranging from $0 to $3,000+ depending on the category and sponsor. Summer Work Travel programs typically charge $1,000-2,000 in total sponsor fees. Payment of the SEVIS fee must be completed before the visa interview.
Can J-1 visa holders work outside their program?
J-1 participants can only work as authorized by their specific program category and sponsor. Summer Work Travel and Intern/Trainee participants work at designated host employers. Au Pairs work with host families. Academic J-1 holders (professors, researchers) typically work at the host institution. Unauthorized employment (including ride-sharing, delivery apps, or freelancing) violates your J-1 status and can result in program termination and departure from the US. Contact your J-1 sponsor if you need to change employers.