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Cultural Exchange Visas

Cultural Exchange Visas (J-1)

Notice: Student and Exchange Visitor Visa applications will NOT be accepted until the applicant has paid the SEVIS fee. Below you will find more information on visa requirements.

A citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States generally must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. The type of visa you must have is defined by immigration law, and relates to the purpose of your travel.

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) provides the exchange visitor (J) nonimmigrant visa category for persons who are approved to participate in exchange visitor programs in the United States. This means that before you can apply at an American Embassy or Consulate for a J visa you must apply, meet the requirements, and be accepted for one of the Exchange Visitor Program categories through a designated sponsoring organization. If you are accepted as a participant in an exchange program, the sponsor will provide you with information and documents necessary to apply for the J visa to enter the United States.

Changes introduced shortly after September 11, 2001 involve extensive and ongoing review of visa issuing practices as they relate to our national security. Visa applications are now subject to a greater degree of scrutiny than in the past. Applicants affected by these procedures are informed of the need for additional screening at the time they submit their applications. Therefore, it is important to apply for your visa well in advance of your travel departure date.

A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to the United States port of entry and request permission from a U.S. immigration official to enter the United States. A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States.

Qualifying for an Exchange Visitor Visa

The Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) is very specific with regard to the requirements, which must be met by applicants to qualify for the exchange visitor (J) visa. The consular officer will determine whether you qualify for the visa. Applicants must demonstrate that they properly meet the requirements to be issued an exchange visitor visa, including the following:

  1. That they plan to remain in the U.S. for a temporary, specific, limited period;
  2. Evidence of funds to cover expenses in the United States;
  3. Evidence of compelling social and economic ties abroad; and other binding ties which will insure their return abroad at the end of the visit.

What is SEVIS and SEVP? What should you know about it?

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is an anti-fraud and national security measure.  It is designed to help the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State better monitor school and exchange programs and F, M and J category visitors. SEVIS is an Internet-based system that maintains accurate and current information on non-immigrant students (F and M visa), exchange visitors (J visa), and their dependents (F-2, M-2, and J-2). SEVIS enables schools and program sponsors to transmit mandatory information and event notifications via the Internet to the Department of Homeland Security and Department of State (DOS) throughout a student or exchange visitor's stay in the United States. Select  SEVIS to go to the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Internet site and learn more.

All exchange visitor applicants must have a SEVIS-generated form DS-2019 issued by a Department of State designated sponsor, which you should submit while applying for an exchange visitor visa. The consular officer will need to verify your DS-2019 record electronically through the SEVIS system in order to process your application. Unless otherwise exempt, participants whose SEVIS DS-2019 was issued on or after September 1, 2004 must pay a SEVIS I-901 Fee to the Department of Homeland Security for each individual program. The fee may be paid either through a special web site, via Western Union, or by mail. See SEVIS-901 Fee or SEVIS for further information on how to pay the fee.

How to Apply

Exchange visitors are encouraged to apply for their visa early to provide ample time for visa processing. Exchange visitors may apply for their visa as soon as they are prepared to do so. Please bring the following documents to the Consular Section at the appointed date and time:

  1. $160 non-refundable visa application fee payable in U.S. dollars;
  2. Bio data confirmation page with a barcode of Visa Application Form DS-160 completed online;
  3. A passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in the United States;
  4. If you were unable to upload a digital photo to your application (see digital photo requirements here),  1 unmounted 5 x 5 cm, full face color photograph (see example photo)
  5. proof of your economic, social, family and other ties to Belarus
  6. DS-2019 (provided to you by your program sponsor)
  7. evidence of sufficient fund

For applicants 16 years and younger traveling without parents, BOTH parents should appear for the interview. If only one parent is able to appear, a notarized affidavit of no-objection to travel from the absent parent is required.  In special circumstances, such as the death of one parent, we may grant exceptions.  Please arrange this with the Embassy in advance.

Spouses and Children of J-1 Visa Holders

Spouses and/or children under the age of 21 who wish to accompany or join the principal exchange visitor (J) visa holder in the United States for the duration of his/her stay require exchange visitor visas (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 who will each be issued their own Form DS-2019. This form is used to obtain the required visa and the spouse and dependents can enter the U.S. at the same time as the principal exchange visitor or at a later date.

Family Members Following to Join the Exchange Visitor

The spouse and children can also apply for visas after the principal applicant has already traveled. They should call the visa appointment line for an appointment (see above.) In general, they must present the following in addition to the requirement listed:

  1. $160 non-refundable visa application fee payable in U.S. dollars;
  2. Bio data confirmation page with a barcode of Visa Application Form DS-160 completed online;
  3. A passport valid for travel to the United States and with a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in the United States;
  4. If you were unable to upload a digital photo to your application (see digital photo requirements here),  1 unmounted 5 x 5 cm, full face color photograph (see example photo)
  5. DS-2019 (provided to you by your program sponsor)
  6. Proof that the principal applicant (the person who received the DS-2019 or IAP-66) is maintaining his/her J visa status
  7. Copy of the J-1's (principal applicant's) visa
  8. Proof of relationship to the principal applicant (eg. Marriage certificates, birth certificates)
  9. Proof of sufficient funds to cover all expenses in the United States.