J1 and F1 visas: what’s the difference?

If you’re planning to study in the USA, you’ve probably already heard of the J1 and F1 visas, but don’t know the difference between them.

If you’re a student and your American dream is to study or work in the USA, you’ll need to apply for a specific visa. Studies don’t qualify forESTA authorization, so you’ll have to find something else. This is where the J1 and F1 visas come into play, and the differences between them.

What is the difference between J1 and F1 visas? This is what we are going to discover in this article.

The difference between J1 and F1 visas: the USA J1 visa for internships and exchange programs

The J1 visa is a USA non-immigrant visa for people taking part in an exchange program in the USA, but also for foreign students wishing to do an internship in the USA, au pair workers, specialized workers, government visitors, etc.

This visa is a work authorization that allows its holder to work on American soil for up to 18 months. To obtain a J1 visa for an internship, several criteria are required, the most important of which is finding a sponsor.

To do so, visit the U.S. government’s sponsor search site at . There’s a list of companies partnering the program in each country. Once you’ve chosen a sponsor from the list provided, you’ll need to contact to take part in one of their exchange programs.

Then it’s time to pay. Fees vary depending on the sponsor, so it’s a good idea to contact several of them to get an idea of the amount and distribution of costs.

If you are finally accepted for an exchange program, the sponsor will issue you the DS-2019 form to complete.

After this stage, you must also pay the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee.

There are other costs too: after completing the DS-160 form, you’ll need to pay the US visa fee, which is $160, and schedule an interview with the US embassy or with the US consulate.

On the day of the interview, please bring :

• the original DS-2019 form ;
• acknowledgement of receipt of form DS-160;
• your valid passport (biometric or electronic) ;
• a photo ;
• a chronopost envelope ;
• receipt of visa fee payment.

Do not hesitate to consult the website of the American embassy (or of the consulate general) where you will be visiting to find out if additional documents are required.

Following the interview, the agent representing the American government will tell you whether or not your J1 visa has been accepted. It is advisable to keep in touch with your sponsor to prepare for your stay in the USA.

F1 visas for students

The F1 visa is a non-immigrant student visa that allows you to study in the USA, from elementary school to university . It is not possible to study in the USA with the online ESTA form, so you need to apply for an F1 visa.

Unlike the J1, the F1 visa has no upper limit, which means that any student with the corresponding profile and criteria can, in fact, get an F1 visa.

With the F1 visa, students can :

• study and live in the United States;
• have a driver’s license ;
• open a bank account ;
• travel in and outside the United States of America;
• work under certain conditions (summer jobs).

The F1 visa is issued to people who show a strong link with their country of origin (family, friends, possessions…) and who intend to return to their country once their studies are completed.

To qualify for an F1 visa from the US authorities, you must :

• be admitted to one of the institutions in the SEVP (Student Exchange Visitor Program) ;
• have an unquestionable attachment to their country of origin;
• prove that you have sufficient financial resources;
• prove that you have a sufficient level of English by taking the TOEFL or IELTS test.

Next, you’ll need to complete the necessary paperwork and pay the associated fees.

• F1 visa application fee: $160 ;
• SEVIS fees: $200 ;
• complete form DS-160 and schedule an interview with the consular services of the U.S. embassy;
• gather the necessary documents such as: your valid electronic passport , the DS-160 receipt, receipts proving that you have paid the various fees, passport photos, the invitation to the interview, the original I-20 form and a copy, documents proving your academic level (diplomas, test scores, letter of acceptance from the American school, etc.), and documents proving your financial resources.

Differentiating between J1 and F1 visas

As you can see, there are differences between J1 and F1 visas, but there are also similarities between J1 and F1 visas. Here’s how differentiate between J1 and F1 visas:

• financial resources for the J1 visa must be 50% covered by a scholarship (or state aid), whereas for the F1 visa they can come from personal funds or external aid;
• the F1 visa holder’s dependents cannot find employment, whereas the J1 visa holder’s dependents can;
• etc.

Now that you know the difference between J1 and F1 visas, all you have to do is apply!