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An exciting opportunity for visitors to the United States is the Exchange Visitor Program, which involves temporarily residing in the US on a J-1 Visa for educational or cultural exchange purposes. Ideally, participants would acquire skills in the US that they’d be able to utilize upon return to their home countries.
To take advantage of this program, applicants must fulfill a variety of requirements. If there are any discrepancies in an application, there may be a delay on the immigration bid, or even a denial. That’s why it is necessary to consult with an immigration lawyer before applying, to determine exactly what you need to be successful.
Niren & Associates has over 14 years experience in preparing and submitting applications for visitors and immigrants to the United States. In particular, applicants for the J-1 Visa can benefit from our services because the legal complications are too overwhelming.
Contact our Montreal immigration attorneys to learn how to qualify for the J-1 Visa
Niren & Associates, I just wanted to say thank you for all your hard work. Your professional approach and attitude throughout this long process will always be remembered. – Robert P.
Who Benefits from a J-1 Visa?
The following is a list of the main Exchange Visitor Program categories:
1. Trainees and interns in medicine, business, and other fields
2. Secondary, college, and university students.
3. Teachers at all academic levels
4. Professors employed to teach and/or perform research at post-secondary institutions
5. Au pairs
6. Government Visitors
7. Research Scholars.
J-1 Visa General Requirements
While each category listed above has its own set of specific requirements, all applicants of the Exchange Visitor Program must fulfill certain criteria.
To be eligible for a J-1 visa, applicants must:
- be sponsored by an American organization to come to the U.S. as a visitor in a recognized exchange category.
- obtain a Form DS-2019 from their sponsor before applying for a J-1 visa.
- have the requisite academic background to participate in the Exchange Visitor Program, including knowledge of the English language (unless the program does not require such knowledge).
- demonstrate that they plan to depart the U.S. at the conclusion of their exchange program.
J-1 Visa Employment Authorization
J-1 visa holders may be authorized to work in the U.S. as part of their exchange program. Participants in programs which do not involve work may not engage in outside employment.
J-1 Visa Foreign Residency Requirements
An exchange visitor is subject to the two-year home country physical presence requirement if the following conditions exist:
• The program in which the exchange visitor is participating is directly or indirectly financed in whole or in part by the U.S. government or the government of the exchange visitor
• The exchange visitor entered the United States to receive graduate medical education or training
• The exchange visitor is a national or permanent resident of a country which has deemed the field of specialized knowledge or skill necessary to the development of the country
Spouses and Children that Accompany J-1 Visa Holders
Spouses and/or children (under the age of 21) who wish to accompany the principal J-1 visa applicant to the U.S. require derivative J visas.
The application procedure is the same as that for a primary visa applicant. The sponsor must approve the accompaniment of the spouse and/or children and issue each approved family member a Form DS-2019 as well.
Accompanying spouses and children of the J-1 Visa holder may study in the U.S. during the principal applicant’s exchange, but they are not authorized to work. J-2 visa holders may, however, apply to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for employment authorization.
Montreal Immigration Lawyers Can Handle the Complicated Legal Matters for You
If you think you qualify for this program, enlist the help of experienced immigration attorneys who can professionally represent your case.
Instead of stressing out over whether you are fulfilling every important detail, you can trust that our immigration team have all the bases covered.
Contact today for a consultation with one of our Immigration Lawyers in the Montreal, QC area.
