J1 Student Visa

Irish citizens can reside temporarily in the United States to study, teach, and receive a variety of  training under the J1 Student Visa. The J1 Student Visa is designed specifically for those individuals who need access to educational, professional, or practical training that is not available in their home country. This training must be directly related to an academic program, so you must be currently enrolled in an international educational institution.

In some cases, such as when applying specifically for medical training, an H3 Training Visa may be more suitable for you.

If you are a family member of a J1 Student Visa holder and you wish to join them in the United States, you will need to apply for what is called a J2 Dependent Visa.

The J1 Student Visa/ Exchange Visitor Program categories include:

• College/university Student
• Secondary School Student
• Summer Work Program Travel
• Teacher
• Trainee
• Au pair or EduCare
• Camp Counselor
• Government Visitor
• Intern
• International Visitor (Department of State)
• Physician
• Professor/ Research Scholar
• Short-term Visiting Scholar
• Specialist

If you fall under one of these categories the J1 Student Visa may be right for you. The eligibility and applicant requirements will vary slightly depending on which category you are in.

If you are a student of an international university, you can apply for the College and University J1 Visa Student Program. This will let you pursue a full-time course of study in the US at your education level at a degree-granting post-secondary institution and participate in a student internship program in order to fulfil the educational objectives needed for the degree program in their home country.

Eligibility for College and University Students

In order to join the J1 Student Visa College and University Student program, the applicant must be able to meet the following requirements:

• The student has financial support from a source other than personal or family funding, such as financing from an educational program funded by the government including the US government, the government of the applicant’s home country, or an international organization that the US is legally a member of.
• If the applicant/student is pursuing a non-degree bearing program, they must be enrolled to study full-time.
• When pursuing a non-degree bearing program, the applicant/student can stay in the United States for up to 24 months
• The program must be done according to the agreement made between Ireland and the US.

International college and university students may work on a part-time basis in the United States under certain conditions and only if they are in good academic standing. This can include paid educational training.

Following the J1 Student Visa program period, the holder is required to physically spend at least two years in their home country under the two-year home residency requirement. After this time they will be eligible to change to another non-immigrant status such as an H1B Visa or apply for a green card. They may also be able to re-enter the United States under a dual intent visa.

The two-year home residency requirement can be waived under certain conditions such as:

• If a no-objection statement is issued by the government of the home country of the applicant
• If the applicant can demonstrably prove that their presence in the United States is needed to provide for their dependents who are US citizens or legal permanent residents
• If the applicant can prove that he or she would be persecuted in their home country while serving the two-year home residency requirement

There are several steps to apply for a J1 Student Visa for Irish citizens.

• Complete the Online Visa Application, Form DS-160
• Print the Application Form Confirmation page and reserve it for your records. You will need this to bring to your visa interview
• Upload a photo according to the requirements of Form DS-160
• Gather all documentation needed for the J1 Student Visa program you are applying for
• Schedule an Interview
• Attend the Interview with your required documents

The J1 Student Visa program will require you to gather and prepare a variety of required documents for the application process. You will need to bring your document file to your visa interview. Documents that are not in English may be required to be translated by an official translator.

• Valid passport with six months left before expiration upon your entry to the United States
• Form DS-160 Non-Immigrant Visa application confirmation page.
• Receipt of visa application fee.
• Standard visa photo if you did not already upload it online while completing Form DS-160.
• Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status, Form DS-2019. This is provided by your program sponsor and generated by SEVIS Student and Exchange Visitor Information System after they enter your information in the database. If your family will be joining you in the US on separate visas they will also need to complete their own Form DS-2019.
• Form DS-7002, Training and Internship Placement Plan (if applicable)
• Proof of the purpose of your travel to the US
• Proof of your intent to return to your home country at the end of your program
• Proof of your ability to support yourself during your trip financially, or proof that another person will cover some or all of your costs

You will need to schedule an appointment for your J1 Student Visa at the US embassy or consulate. Wait times for interview appointments can vary so you should keep this in mind and apply as early as possible and pay the application fee.

At the US embassy or consulate, a consular officer will interview you to determine whether you are qualified and eligible to receive an exchange visitor/ J1 Student Visa under US law. Interviews are typically required of all individuals aged 14-79.

Digital fingerprint scans are taken as part of the application process usually during your interview. You may be approved directly following your interview or you may have to wait for further processing and analysis.

Following your interview, your passport will be returned to you, typically within a few days.

If your visa is approved then you can make plans to go to the US. However, a visa does not guarantee entry into the country. It will allow you to travel to the port of entry which is typically the airport in the US and then the Department of Homeland Security and US Customs and Border Protection officials will determine if you should be permitted to enter the United States.

You will need to show your passport, visa, and Form DS-2019. If approved, you will be provided with an admission stamp or form I-94 Record of Arrival/Departure and then you are then free to go into the country as a J1 Student Visa holder.

For a J1 Student Visa, sometimes the sponsor pays for the visa application on your behalf. In the event that your sponsor pays your application fee, you will need to request the receipt of payment as you will need this during your interview process.

Fees for the J1 Student Visa include:

• $180 SEVIS 1-901 Form Fee that goes to the Department of Homeland Security
• $160 Nonimmigrant Visa Application Fee
• Fees associated with obtaining documents from a third party such as an accountant or translator.

After the conclusion of your student program, there is a grace period that allows you to remain in the United States for 30 days before returning to your home country. If you remain in the country after your program, you are no longer allowed to take part in any student activity or work. If you travel outside the United States during this grace period, you will not be permitted to re-enter the country.

If you wish to stay in the United States for longer than your original visa allowed for, J1 Student Visa extensions can be obtained depending on the program category you are in and your individual situation.

In order to apply for a J1 Student Visa extension, you will need to:

• Submit a new Form DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status)
• Pay the new application fee
• Provide proof/ reason for why you would like to remain in the US longer