J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa – College and University Students

 1. Definition of J-1 Exchange Student Visitor. 22 C.F.R. 62.4 (a).

A J-1 Exchange Student Visitor is an individual who is

  • Pursuing a full course of study at a secondary educational institution;
  • Pursuing a full course of study leading to the award of a U.S. degree from a post-secondary educational institution; or
  • Engaged full-time in a non-degreed course of study at a post-secondary educational institution.

2. Purpose of the J-1 Exchange Student Visitor Program. 22 C.F.R. 62.23 (a).

The J-1 Exchange Student Visitor Program provides foreign students the opportunity to participate in a designated exchange program while studying at a degree-granting post-secondary school. Exchange visitors under this category may participate in degree and non-degree programs. The purpose of this program is to promote mutual understanding by fostering the exchange of ideas between foreign students and their American counterparts.

3. Criteria for J-1 Exchange Student Visitor. 22 C.F.R. 62.23 (c).

Sponsors select the college and university students who will participate in their exchange visitor programs. Students are eligible for the J-1 Exchange Student Visitor Program if:

  • The J-1 Exchange Student Visitor or their programs are financed by the U.S. government, the student’s home country government, or a qualifying international organization;
  • The J-1 Exchange Student Visitor programs are carried out pursuant to an agreement between the U.S. and a foreign government;
  • The J-1 Exchange Student Visitor programs are carried out pursuant to an agreement between American and foreign educational institutions; between an American educational institution and a foreign government; or between a state or local government in the United States and a foreign government; or
  • The J-1 Exchange Student Visitor is supported substantially by funding from any source other than personal or family funds.

J-1 Exchange Student Visitor must pursue a full course of study except during official school breaks and summer vacations. Students may be excused from the full course of study requirement if the J-1 student is compelled to reduce a full course of study due to a medical condition or for a bona fide academic reason. J-1 students may also reduce their course load if engaged full time in a prescribed course of study in a non-degree program, are participating in authorized academic training, or where the student needs less than a full course of study to complete the academic requirements in his or her final term.

4. J-1 Exchange Student Visitor Employment

J-1 exchange students may engage in two kinds of employment: (i) academic training related to their course of study; and (ii) student employment, which is employment related to academic funding, on-campus work or economic necessity.

5. Academic Training Programs. 22 C.F.R. § 62.23 (f).

A J-1 exchange student may participate in academic training programs during his or her studies without wages, with the approval of the academic dean and the responsible officer.

A J-1 exchange student may be authorized to participate in academic training programs for wages provided:

  • The student is primarily in the U.S. to study rather than engage in academic training;
  • the student is participating in academic training that is directly related to his or her major field of study as listed on his or her Form DS-2019;
  • the student is in good academic standing; and
  • the student receives written approval in advance from the RO.

The J-1 exchange student is authorized to participate in academic training for the length of time necessary to complete the goals and objectives of the training. However, the length of time must be approved by the academic dean and by the RO. For undergraduate and pre-doctoral training, the training cannot exceed 18 months or the period of full course of study in the United States, whichever is less. For post-doctoral training, the training cannot exceed 36 months, or the period of the full course of study in the United States, whichever is less.

6. Student Employment. 22 C.F.R. § 62.23 (g).

J-1 exchange visitor students may engage in part-time employment if employment is pursuant to the terms of a scholarship, fellowship, or assistantship and occurs on the premises of the post-secondary accredited educational institution the visitor is authorized to attend.

J-1 exchange visitor students may seek employment off-campus when necessary because of serious, urgent, and unforeseen economic circumstances, which have arisen since acquiring exchange visitor status.

J-1 exchange visitor students may engage in student employment only if:

  • The student is in good academic standing;
  • continues to engage in a full course of study;
  • works no more than 20 hours per week;
  • and the RO has approved the specific employment in advance and in writing.

7. Duration of J-1 Exchange Student Visitor Status. 22 C.F.R. § 62.23 (h).

J-1 Exchange Visitor Students who are in degree programs are authorized to participate in the Exchange Visitor Program as long as they are either:

  • pursuing a full course of study at the post-secondary accredited educational institution listed on their Form DS-2019; or
  • participating in an authorized academic training program.

J-1 Exchange Visitor Students who are non-degree students are authorized to participate in the Exchange Visitor Program for up to 24 months, if they are either:

  • pursuing a full course of study at the post-secondary accredited educational institution listed on their Form DS-2019; or
  • participating in an authorized academic training program.

8. Other Options for Students

A student considering the J-1 exchange student visitor category should also investigate the F-1 student category. Some J-1 exchange students may be subject to the two-year home country residence requirement after their participation in the Exchange Visitor Program. F-1 students are not subject to this requirement.