J1 Student Visa

Primarily, the Exchange Visitor Program is designed to give participants the chance to engage with American culture, learn new valuable skills and enhance their use of the English language.

Within the J1 Exchange Program, there are 15 different categories available. This includes thousands of local government, profit and non-profit entities who have involvement with the program. The majority of these programs are funded privately.

Those who obtain a J1 visa, will be able to participate in teaching, researching, studying and receiving on-the-job training in the US for periods of time ranging from weeks to years.

Overseas migrants can reside in the US temporarily to teach, receive training, study and provide childcare under this visa.

The visa is open to those who are enrolled in one of the several eligible international educational institutions.

The visa is also designed in particular for people who need access to educational services that are not available to them within their home country.

However, if one wishes or seeks practical or medical training, you will need to apply for an H3 Training Visa.

This visa allows overseas migrants who are aged between 18 and 26 years old, to enter the US and work as childcare providers in exchange for accommodation and food expenses. As a holder of this visa, you will not be allowed to work more than 10 hours a day, and a total of 45 hours a week. You will also need to be enrolled in any course at a US post-secondary educational institution.

As an au pair, your responsibilities will likely include helping children cook their meals or with their homework. The host family is required to provide you a compensation of up to $500 for childcare work, a private room and board.

Your sponsor will have to have provided you with at least 32 hours of childcare training for this role. If your application is successful, you will be allowed to remain in the US for a period of up to 12 months

Eligibility criteria for this visa includes;

• Having received an employment offer from the host family
• Having had previous childcare experience
• Having adequate spoken and written English proficiency
• Providing a police clearance report
• Having not previously lived in the US as an au pair

Student Programs

Under a Secondary School Student Program, you can study at a public or private middle or high school in the USA. You can stay with a host family or at a boarding school, but are not allowed to live with relatives. You must be between the ages of 15 and 18 by the first day of school. When in the US, you are not allowed to work.

When the academic year you attended in the US ends, you must leave the country. To be eligible for this program, you must be able to support yourself financially and will need a written agreement between your local and American institutions.

Teachers

International teachers or those who are wishing to work in the US in education can receive professional training at a US accredited school or pre-kindergarten program.

Camp Counselor

The Camp Counselor program allows overseas post-secondary students to work at summer camps in the USA. Participants will be provided with housing and meals in addition to earning a fair wage. The permit will only last for up to 4 months, and no extension to the visa is allowed.

The eligibility requirements are;

• Having a good understanding of English
• Being experienced in dealing with children
• Being a post-secondary student, youth worker or teacher
• Having specialized skills

Internship or Trainee Program

Overseas students who have graduated no more than 12 months before your chosen program starts, can apply for a J1 Internship Visa. For this, evidence will need to be presented of your English language proficiency.

If you obtain a J1 Trainee Visa, you will be allowed to receive training in the USA in your occupational field. In order to be eligible, you must have a degree or one year’s work experience in your chosen area. You will also need to be at least 20 years old and hold an English proficiency accredited qualification.

Summer Work Travel Program

This program offers experience to international college and university students who wish to work in seasonal or temporary jobs in the USA.

As part of the J1 Visa Program, you can remain in the US for periods of time ranging from a few weeks to years. An extension to this visa can indeed be granted for selected program categories.

In order to apply for an extension, you will need to submit a new DS-2019 Form along with evidence that supports your reasons for wanting to remain in the US.

You can also apply to change to a different category of the visa program. However, this request must have been motivated by unusual or exceptional circumstances.

When your program concludes, you may still benefit from the so-called “Grace Period”. This allows you to remain in the USA for 30 days before returning to your home country. However, if you are in the US during this time, you are not allowed to take part in any exchange activity or work. Also, if you travel outside the US during the “Grace Period” you will not be allowed to re-enter.

As part of the mandatory two-year home residency requirement, holders of a J1 visa can change to another non-immigrant status and apply for a Green Card. This is provided that firstly, they spend two years in their home country.

After the two years have passed, eligible applicants can re-enter the US under a dual intent visa. The two-year stay can also be done in intervals.

The home residence requirement can in cases be waived as a result of;

• A no-objection statement being issued by the government of the home country of the applicant
• The visa holder demonstrating that their presence in the US is required to provide for their US citizen or legal permanent resident dependents
• The applicant can prove that they would be persecuted in their home country