J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions

The Exchange Visitor Visa (J-1) is a non-immigrant visa issued by the U.S. Department of State that offers numerous training opportunities for international individuals seeking to travel and gain experience in the United States.

The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program (also known as BridgeUSA), overseen by the State Department, allows foreign nationals to visit the U.S. for purposes such as teaching, studying, conducting research, showcasing special skills, or receiving on-the-job training. This program can last anywhere from a few weeks to several years.

It was designed to introduce individuals from around the world to U.S. culture and institutions, and to enhance mutual understanding between nations through various educational and cultural exchange initiatives.

The J-1 Visa encompasses 15 different categories, including the Trainee category. This non-immigrant visa permits Foreign Nationals to receive training with a U.S.-based host organization for up to 18 months. To qualify, you must either hold a degree or professional certificate from a ministerially recognized academic institution outside the United States and have at least one year of relevant work experience in your field outside the U.S., or possess five years of work experience in your occupational field outside the U.S.

The J-1 Visa includes 15 categories, one of which is the Intern category. This non-immigrant visa allows foreign students and recent graduates to undertake training with a U.S.-based host organization for up to 12 months. To be eligible, you must either be currently enrolled in and pursuing studies at a degree or certificate-granting post-secondary institution outside the U.S., or have graduated from such an institution no more than 12 months before the start date of your internship program.

The emphasis of on-the-job training is on "learning by doing." Unlike the structured "apprenticeship" models found in many countries, on-the-job training offers a less formal approach to acquiring job skills and knowledge, placing the responsibility for learning primarily on the individual. International participants should be aware of this distinction, as it means they need to actively engage in their own learning process. The host organization essentially provides the "classroom" through a written training plan and offers the tools needed to understand a particular activity or industry. However, it is up to the participant to take an active role in their learning journey.

SHRM has been designated as an Exchange Visitor Program sponsor by the U.S. Department of State which means that we are responsible for reviewing the participant and host organization applications to ensure that they meet the criteria established by the U.S. government for this visa.

Unlike other visas, SHRM acts as the legal visa sponsor of the participant for the duration of the program in the United States. The participant is the individual who is coming to the U.S. on an Exchange Visitor Program and the host organization is the company that will be providing training to the foreign participant.

The DS2019 (also known as a Certificate of Eligibility for exchange visitor status) is a form, issued by SHRM, that permits a prospective exchange visitor to seek an interview at a U.S embassy or consulate to obtain a J Visa. An Exchange Visitor cannot be receive a J visa without this document.

The DS7002 or Training plain is a controlled form that outline an exchange visitors proposed program activities. SHRM must approve the proposed training plan before deciding to issue form DS2019.

Applicants for the J-1 visa must be studying or working in their home country at the time of application. J visas are nonimmigrant visas meaning the participants must show intent to use their training in their home country as opposed to immigrating to the United States.

Yes. All participants and accompanying dependents must show proof of health insurance coverage (view requirements here). Participants can elect to receive insurance through SHRM as well.

After you enter the US and begin your program, you must email the SHRM arrival inbox with your US address and phone number. SHRM will then validate your program and you will be an active participant. 

You will need your passport with your visa page. You will also need a copy of your signed DS2019 form. Once you are officially admitted into the US you will be issued an |I-94 which is a document that validates your legal presence in the US.

No. You may begin your training before receiving your social security number.

Participants earning income from U.S. sources are required to pay federal, state, and local income taxes. While state income tax rates differ (with some states having no income tax), federal income tax is based on wage levels. Participants should anticipate paying approximately 25% of their gross salary in federal income taxes. The organization will automatically withhold federal and state income taxes from paychecks. Participants are exempt from paying Social Security and Medicare taxes (FICA) and Federal Unemployment tax (FUTA) as they are not eligible for these benefits. Typically, J-1 Visa holders are classified as non-residents. Participants must file both federal and state income tax returns (if applicable) by April 15 for each year they earn income in the U.S. For instance, if the program runs from July 3, 2015, to July 2, 2016, participants will need to file tax returns for two years: the first by April 15, 2016, for income earned in 2015, and the second by April 15, 2017, for income earned in 2016. Participants will use either Form 1040NR-EZ or Form 1040NR for their federal tax return, available after January 1 at IRS offices, local public libraries, or the IRS website.

Information on forms for state income tax returns can be found after January 1 at local public libraries or the state’s tax website.

No. The purpose of the Intern/Trainee visa is to receive on-the -job training while earning a wage. This visa does not permit any other places of employment or wages other than what is listed on form DS2019.

No. Participants must follow the training plan as outlined, including the training location. In special circumstances (i.e the host company faces financial challenges), SHRM may approve a transfer but this is highly unlikely. Unapproved transfers generate significant ramifications for both the unauthorized host and the exchange visitor.

Yes. The Exchange visitor must ensure the new address is withing reasonable distance of their training site and report the address to SHRM within 10 business days to avoid adversely affecting the participants visa status.

Interns are limited to a 12-month program duration. Trainees (non-hospitality) may complete up to 18 months of training. Participants may not extend their programs beyond these guidelines.

All participants have a 30-day grace period after the program end date listed on the DS2019 form. It is expected that the grace period would be used for housekeeping purposes such as closing bank accounts, ending leases and making any necessary arrangements.

If you lose your DS2019 form, contact SHRM as soon as possible. We will reprint and sign a new version for you. 

*Fees Apply

If your I-94 is lost, stolen or damaged, visit www.cbp.gov/I94 and fill out form I-102 so you will be issued a replacement.

If you lose your passport, please locate your country’s nearest consulate or embassy to report the loss and apply for a new one. You must notify SHRM as soon as possible about your missing identification. Please note that if you leave the country with your new passport, you cannot enter the country without obtaining a new J-1 visa.

During the training program, participants have the option to travel outside of the United States for up to 30 consecutive days. Before embarking on their trip, participants must notify SHRM to validate their DS-2019 form for travel. This validation ensures that the participant remains sponsored by SHRM and won’t face questioning at the border upon return. The travel validation remains valid for one year.

To re-enter the United States, participants must hold a valid multiple entry visa in their passport. If they possess a single entry visa or if their visa has expired, it’s essential to contact Cultural Vistas well in advance of the trip to arrange necessary documentation.

When traveling to Canada or Mexico for less than 30 days, participants who have received an I-94 card do not need to surrender it at the border. They can retain the card and present it to the border official upon their return. It’s crucial for participants to verify that they can enter Canada or Mexico without a visa. While U.S. citizens don’t require a visa for these neighboring countries, the participant’s home country may have separate visa requirements for travel into Mexico or Canada. Importantly, participants do not need a travel validation signature for trips to Canada or Mexico.

You are allowed to be accompanied on program by eligible dependents. This includes spouses or children of the J-1 visa holder. Common law marriages are not eligible for dependent status. Children who are married or over the age of 21 are not eligible dependents.

Yes, upon arriving in the United States, a dependent spouse holding a valid J-2 Visa can apply for work authorization through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). J-2 dependents are eligible to apply for the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) under the provisions of Category 274a.12. When applying, the key point to demonstrate is that the J-2 dependent spouse does not need to work to financially support the J-1 Visa participant.

Here are some important details:

Processing Time: USCIS processing times for work authorization applications vary significantly based on the region within the United States where the application is submitted. J-2 dependent spouses should anticipate at least a 60-day wait for employment authorization.

Application Process: Typically, the application is submitted using the I-765 form, along with the appropriate application fee and a statement of family expenses. The most up-to-date information on filing fees and submission locations for Form I-765 can be found on the USCIS website.

Family Expenses: The statement of family expenses may include customary recreational and cultural activities, as well as related travel.

Submission Documents: Both the I-94 record of the participant and the I-94 record of the family member applying for work permission should be included with the I-765 form.

Validity: If employment permission is granted, it is valid for any kind of employment, without limitations on full-time or part-time work. Work permission for a J-2 dependent expires at the same time as the authorized stay noted on the J-1 Visa holder’s Certificate of Eligibility.

Tax Considerations: Unlike J-1 participants, Social Security and federal unemployment taxes are deducted from the earnings of J-2 dependents. This is because their services are not performed “to carry out a purpose for which the individual was admitted.” Therefore, J-2 dependents are subject to Social Security and federal unemployment taxes, federal income taxes, and, where applicable, state and local income taxes.

The 212(e) requirement is a two-year home residency requirement that applies to certain J-1 Exchange Visitors and their J-2 dependents. The requirement is part of the Immigration and Nationality Act and is intended to prevent "brain drain" from other countries to the United States.

The 212(e) requirement applies to J-1 Exchange Visitors who:

1. Received direct or indirect funding from their home country government or the U.S. government
2. Are from a country with an Exchange Visitor Skills List and their field of research is on the list

The requirement prevents J-1 Exchange Visitors from applying for H, L, or permanent residence status in the United States unless they:

1. Return to their home country for two years
2. Obtain a waiver of the requirement

The J-1 visa stamp in your passport may indicate whether you are subject to the requirement. The phrase "Bearer is (or is not) subject to 212(e). Two-year rule (does/does not) apply" should appear. The bottom, left-hand corner of your DS-2019 form may indicate whether you are subject to the requirement. This is labeled "preliminary endorsement".

In order to be approved for an addition J-1 visa, applications must demonstrate the necessity for additional training and prove that additional skills will be gained during the second program.

Interns- Interns may begin an additional program as long as they maintain student status or begin a new internship within 12 months of graduation.

Trainees may participate in an additional training program after completing the first and returning to their home country for two years after their first program.

J Visas are nonimmigrant visas, granted under the belief that you are not planning to immigrate to the United States. Participants sign an attestation upon program initiation, confirming they have no plans to immigrate to the United States during their program. Partners whose participants repeatedly change visa status may forfeit a working relationship with our program.