J-1 exchange visitor programme
The J-1 covers au pairs, camp counsellors, interns, trainees, research scholars, professors, and physicians. A designated sponsor issues a Form DS-2019 through SEVIS. Many categories carry a two-year home-country physical presence requirement that blocks H, L and K visas and green cards until it is satisfied or waived.
Para quién es. People coming for a designated exchange programme, and their J-2 dependants.
Los formularios, en orden
- 1
Be accepted by a designated sponsor and receive Form DS-2019
The sponsor enters the information in SEVIS; the applicant cannot complete the form.
- 2
Apply for the visa
- 3
Check whether the two-year home residence requirement applies
It attaches when the programme was government funded, the skill is on the home country's skills list, or the visitor is a foreign medical graduate in graduate medical education.
- 4
If you need a waiver on a no objection, interested government agency, Conrad 30 or persecution basis, apply to the Waiver Review Division
- 5
If you need a waiver for exceptional hardship or persecution, also file with USCIS
USCIS decides the hardship or persecution finding; the Waiver Review Division makes the recommendation to DHS.
- 6
J-2 dependants may apply for work authorisation
J-2 work authorisation cannot be used to support the J-1.
Dónde suele fallar
- The two-year home residence requirement is easy to miss and blocks H, L and K visas and adjustment of status until satisfied or waived.
- The DS-3035 fee is not refunded if the waiver is denied, or if USCIS declines to make a hardship or persecution finding.
- Only the online DS-3035 is accepted; a paper version is returned without the fee.
- A no objection statement is not available to foreign medical graduates in graduate medical education.
Qué cambió en 2025 y 2026
- Consular vetting expansions have lengthened J-1 processing.
- The Waiver Review Division continues to quote 6 to 10 weeks, though administrative processing can add more.