ESTA

The J1 visa for an exchange in the United States

Issued by the American authorities for a certain type of traveler, the J1 visa is a temporary residence permit for the USA. Who is it for? How do I apply for a visa? How much does it cost? These are just some of the questions we’d like to explore in a separate article! Our experts in administrative formalities give you all the information you need to find out if the J1 is right for you. If so, all you have to do is follow our instructions, and you’ll be able to leave for Uncle Sam with complete peace of mind, and enjoy your expatriation. If this is not the case, you’ll need to look for another document such as an ESTA.

Who needs a J1 visa to visit the USA?

It’s not easy to find your way around the myriad of U.S. visas. More precisely, we’re talking about non-immigrant visas, i.e. those issued to people who are only visiting the country for a limited, relatively short period of time. In principle, each purpose of stay corresponds to a particular visa, but things aren’t quite that simple. In fact, one visa can serve several purposes, and the same purpose can be reflected in several visas. It’s easy to hesitate between two documents. That’s why it’s essential to find out all you can beforehand.

The purpose of the J1 visa is to develop cultural and educational exchanges between the United States and third countries. To this end, the government designates organizations entitled to host foreign nationals, within the framework of various programs. A typical example is an accredited company hosting an intern. That said, the range of possibilities is much wider, including:

As you can see, the J1 visa is not limited to a single traveler profile, nor to a single duration or situation of stay. The only common factor is that it is for work or study purposes.

You need to find a sponsor to obtain this sesame, which can be public (a school, for example) or private (a company). Once you have submitted your application, will decide whether or not to accept your application, depending on the various conditions to be met.

Are you looking for a residence permit for tourism, a semester of higher education or to set up your own business on the other side of the Atlantic? Forget the J1 authorization, it’s not for you (find out more about the differences between ESTA and visa, for example)! On the other hand, if this is the certificate you need, please see below for the ordering procedure, which takes time and money.

Complete your J1 authorization request

If you want to earn that travel ticket and realize your dream of discovering the States while taking part in a culturally and professionally enriching program, follow our guide. Of course, we advise you to plan well in advance of your planned departure date: any visa process takes time.

Step 1: Check your eligibility

Before embarking on the application process, it’s best to make sure that the J1 authorization and exchange program apply to you . Beyond the simple reason for your stay, certain conditions must be met: your financial situation also weighs in the balance, since in addition to the costs of the procedure, you must take out insurance providing you with a minimum cover not always given; this will be checked by the sponsor. What’s more, your level of English may influence your eligibility: access to a program, and therefore to the U.S. territory, is denied if your language skills are too poor.

Step 2: Program and sponsor

This is undoubtedly the most decisive step in obtaining a J1 visa: finding and having your application validated by an American sponsor, once you’ve defined your ideal exchange program. Visit the U.S. government website for a list of accredited organizations. Once your application has been submitted, it’s up to the sponsor to study your profile and decide whether or not to accept you. To do this, you’ll need to pay the fees charged by the organization. Don’t hesitate to compare rates before committing yourself.

Step 3: File and fees

Has your sponsor agreed to welcome you and accompany you throughout your trip? That’s great news, but don’t pack your bags just yet – you don’t have your J1 authorization in your pocket! Your contact will give you a form to complete, the DS-2019. Then pay a new fee, this time for program participation.

Next step: visit the US Department of State website. At , you’ll need to fill in the DS-160 form for all visa requests: J1, L1, E1, etc. Here again, you must pay an application fee of $160.

Step 4: Appointment at the embassy

Your J1 visa is just around the corner! All that’s left is to complete the process in style: meet with an American representative at your country’s embassy. If you’re reading this article, chances are you’re French. Contact them to arrange a meeting in Paris. Bring your original DS-2019 form, a copy of the DS-160 confirmation page (to be completed and submitted online), your passport, a photo and payment receipts.

The purpose of the interview? To check that your application is in order and that your project meets the criteria for travel to the USA on a J1 visa. In the end, you’ll be given the long-awaited answer: either yes or no. If your application is successful, start packing your bags and let your sponsor know!

If your visa is refused, you will unfortunately be unable to travel within North American borders.