J-1 visas are available to individuals who take part in exchange visitor programs sponsored by schools, businesses and many other organizations and institutions. The programs are available to business trainees, scholars, medical graduates, students, teachers, and research assistants.

Activities covered by the J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa program includes au-pairs and nannies, summer camp counselors, post-graduate students, government visitors, medical students seeking work as interns or residents, foreign scholars as temporary faculty, business trainees, and any other activities of an approved exchange program.

J-1 visa applicants must prove nonimmigrant intent to the consular officer, which means the applicant must show that s/he has binding ties to the home country and no intention to abandon the home country.

Employment eligibility while in J-1 status depends on the specific terms of the program. Some programs, such as teaching, researching, and other on-the-job training, allow for paid employment. J-1 exchange visitors coming to the United States for graduate medical education must prove they have passed the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination in Medical Sciences. Additionally, the applicant must prove English competency.

The length of time a J-1 exchange visitor in student status may remain in the US is determined by the category and the time needed to complete the exchange program objective. USCIS allows an additional 30 day grace period, which allows the individual time to prepare for departure.

Dependents of the J-1 visa holder are eligible for J-2 status, which permits full or part-time employment with permission from USCIS if the job is not needed to support the J-1 visa holder.

One extremely important aspect of the J-1 visa is the two-year home country physical presence requirement. The decision whether an exchange visitor is subject to the two year requirement is made based on the home country's need for the J-1 visa holder's specialized skills or knowledge. The Exchange Visitor Skills List is used to make the determination. If the J-1 is subject to the requirement, s/he must stay in his/her home country for two years. A waiver of the two-year requirement is available however.

For More Information on a M-1 Non-Academic Visa in Orange County

For More Information on a F-1 Student Visa in Orange County

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