Obtaining a J-1 visa
You should present the following documents to a U.S. consular officer at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in your country to apply for a J-1 exchange visitor visa stamp. This should be done as early as possible before your exchange and in person, as you probably will be asked questions about your purposes for coming to the United States. The information below can also be accessed at the Department of State web page
Passport
You must have a valid passport to obtain a visa and enter the United States. Your passport should be valid for a minimum of six months beyond the end of your intended stay.
DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility
The official document you will need to apply for your J-1 visa stamp is the Department of State's "Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status," more commonly known as a "DS-2019" or "visa document." Once your employment or visit is confirmed, a Responsible Officer at the Office of International Programs will provide you with your DS-2019.
An application
Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-156.
A supplemental nonimmigrant visa application
Form DS-157. Submission of this completed form is required for all male applicants between 16-45 years of age. It is also required for all applicants from state sponsors of terrorism age 16 and over, irrespective of gender, without exception. Six countries are now designated as state sponsors of terrorism, including North Korea, Cuba, Syria, Sudan, Iran, and Libya. You should know that a consular officer may require any nonimmigrant visa applicant to complete this form.
A contact information and work history, form DS-158
One (1) 2x2 photograph, passport quality and size
Proof of Enrollment in Health Insurance
You are required to have insurance coverage of up to $50,000 in medical expenses, $10,000 minimum in medical evacuation $10,000 and $7,500 in repatriation coverage with a deductible not to exceed $500 per incident. There must be a phone number in the U.S. where your benefits can be verified. These benefits must be specified in the policy you purchase. If you will be participating in the UTEP employee health insurance, please make sure your offer letter says that your position is “benefits eligible”.
SEVIS fee receipt of payment
All Exchange Visitors applying for a J-1 visa whose DS-2019 is issued on or after September 1, 2004, are required to pay the SEVIS fee before going to the U.S. embassy or consulate for their visa interview. Applicants who are citizens of Canada or Bermuda, or residents of certain other islands wishing to apply for J-1 status at a Port of Entry into the United States must pay the SEVIS fee before entering the United States and show proof of payment. The SEVIS fee is US$100 for all J-I visa applicants; the fee can not be paid at the consulate. Please note that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will not refund the SEVIS fee if J-1 applicants are not granted a visa or choose not to come to the United States after their visas are granted. There are three ways to pay the fee.
The fastest way to pay the fee is on the Internet ( http://www.FMJfee.com ) by using a credit card and completing the online Form I-901. This allows the student (or the person paying the student's SEVIS fee) to print the SEVIS fee payment receipt from the Internet once the transaction is completed.
An alternative involves submitting a completed Form I-901 through the mail with a check or money order drawn on a U.S. Bank and payable in U.S. currency to the Department of Homeland Security address on the form. Students using this method must wait until they receive a receipt through the mail before they can go to the interview at the U.S. embassy or consulate (Express delivery service for the I-797 receipt may be requested at additional cost). Further information is online at http:// www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/index.htm .
On November 1, Western Union's "Quick Pay" service became a third option for paying the SEVIS I-901 fee for F and M students and J exchange visitors. This option is available in any country where Western Union offers Quick Pay service. The Western Union office collects the SEVIS I-901 fee in local currency, along with the needed Form I-901 data, and electronically transmits the payment and data to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The Western Union office then issues a receipt that serves as immediate proof of payment for a visa interview at a U.S. consulate or for admission at a U.S. port of entry. Western Union's Quick Pay form must be completed in exact detail, following instructions developed by DHS and Western Union. These detailed payment instructions, including samples of properly completed Quick Pay forms, are posted at http:// www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/index.htm .
Fees must be paid at least three business days prior to the visa interview date for both electronic and mail-in submissions. Adequate processing time must be allowed for payments to be recorded in the SEVIS system prior to the scheduled visa interview. The interviewing officer will confirm that the fee has been paid by accessing SEVIS. Please remember that all students must bring the official paper receipt (I-797) or the Internet-generated receipt to the visa interview as proof of payment, as well as have it with them upon arrival in the United States.
Proof of Funding
Additional documents may be required to ensure that you have sufficient financial resources and will not become a "public charge" while in the United States. The welcome admission letter from your host institution and an original letter from your bank stating your current balance should be sufficient. As of Fall 2004, students on a semester exchange must provide proof of US$850 of personal funds and full year students must provide proof of US$1,700.
Proof of non-immigrant intent
You may be required to show that you do not intend to remain in the United States beyond the end of the period of study. This can be done by presenting a return plane ticket, however further proof may be requested. The consular officer will issue the visa by stamping your passport. He or she will also return the two-page DS-2019 form to you for entry into the United States.
Please note that possession of a J-1 visa document does not necessarily constitute permission to obtain a J-1 visa permit or to enter the United States. It is up to the consular office and the immigration officer at your port of entry to determine eligibility for J-1 status.