Exchange Visitor Visa | MEET-USA.COM Portal

Exchange Visitor Visa

26.07.2018
Contact the author

Abbreviation

J

General information

The United States welcomes foreign citizens who come to the United States to participate in exchange programs. Before applying for a visa, all exchange visitor applicants are required to be accepted and approved by an authorized program sponsor. When accepted, the applicant will receive from the educational institution or program sponsors the necessary approval documentation to be submitted when applying for a visa. The exchange visitor program's J visa is designed to promote the interchange of persons, knowledge, and skills in the fields of education, arts, and sciences. Participants include students at all academic levels; trainees obtaining on-the-job training with firms, institutions, and agencies; teachers of primary, secondary, and specialized schools; professors coming to teach or do research at institutions of higher learning; research scholars; professional trainees in the medical and allied fields; and international visitors coming for the purpose of travel, observation, consultation, research, training, sharing, or demonstrating specialized knowledge or skills, or participating in organized people-to-people programs.

Requirements

Payment

$160 application fee, reciprocity fees depending on country of citizenship. Conditions vary based on your program, but Russian nationals do not pay a reciprocity fee and can receive exchange visas valid for up to three years. Applicants whose programs are funded by the U.S. government do not pay the application fee. Unless your J program is sponsored by the United States Government (with a program code beginning with a "G"), you must pay your Form I-901 SEVIS fee. SEVIS fee may be paid online.

Documents and information needed to apply for a visa

To apply for a J visa, you must submit the following:

A Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) Form. Visit the DS-160 webpage for more information about the DS-160.
A passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions). If more than one person is included in your passport, each person desiring a visa must submit an application.
One (1) 2"x2" (5cmx5cm) photograph. This page has information about the required photo format - http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ru/ru-niv-photoinfo.asp.
An approved DS-2019 from your U.S. program.
Unless your J program is sponsored by the United States Government (with a program code beginning with a "G"), you must pay your Form I-901 SEVIS fee. The SEVIS website has more details.
In addition to these items, you must present an interview appointment letter confirming that you booked an appointment through this service - http://www.ustraveldocs.com/ru/ru-niv-appointmentschedule.asp. You may also bring whatever supporting documents you believe support the information provided to the consular officer.

Application

Step 1. Pay the visa application fee.
Step 2. Complete the Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) form.
Step 3. Schedule your appointment on this web page - https://cgifederal.secure.force.com/?language=English&country=Russia. You will need three pieces of information in order to schedule your appointment:
Your passport number
Your MRV fee payment receipt number
The ten (10) digit barcode number from your DS-160 confirmation page.
Step 4. Visit the U.S. Embassy/Consulate on the date and time of your visa interview. You will need to bring a printed copy of your appointment letter, your DS-160 confirmation page, one recent photograph, your current passport and all old passports. Applications without all of these items will not be accepted.

Supporting documents

Supporting documents are only one of many factors a consular officer will consider in your interview. Consular officers look at each application individually and consider professional, social, cultural and other factors during adjudication. Consular officers may look at your specific intentions, family situation, and your long-range plans and prospects within your country of residence. Each case is examined individually and is accorded every consideration under the law.

Caution: Do not present false documents. Fraud or misrepresentation can result in permanent visa ineligibility. If confidentiality is a concern, you should bring your documents to the U.S. Embassy/Consulate in a sealed envelope. The U.S. Embassy/Consulate will not make your information available to anyone and will respect the confidentiality of your information.

You should bring the following documents to your interview. Original documents are always preferred over photocopies and you must bring these documents with you to the interview. Do not fax, email or mail any supporting documents to the U.S. Embassy/Consulate.

- Documents demonstrating strong financial, social, and family ties to your home country that will compel you to return to your country after your program of study in the United States ends.
- Financial and any other documents you believe will support your application and which give credible evidence that you have enough readily-available funds to meet all expenses for the first year of study and that you have access to funds sufficient to cover all expenses while you remain in the United States.
- Photocopies of bank statements will not be accepted unless you can also show original copies of bank statements or original bank books.
- If you are financially sponsored by another person, bring proof of your relationship to the sponsor (such as your birth certificate), the sponsor's most recent original tax forms and the sponsor's bankbooks and/or fixed deposit certificates.
- Academic documents that show scholastic preparation. Useful documents include school transcripts (original copies are preferred) with grades, public examination certificates (A-levels, etc.), standardized test scores (SAT, TOEFL, etc.), diplomas, and information about your intended program of academic study.

Additional information

Answers