Visas For Au Pairs And Other Exchange Visitors
Criteria for Eligibility
The US Exchange Visitor Program (J-1 visa program) was created to promote international cooperation by allowing foreigners to come to the US to exchange culture, language, ideas, skills, and much more. The program focuses on 14 categories of participants, including 12 categories that are privately funded and 2 categories that are publicly funded for the government’s exchange visitors. The 14 categories are:
Professors/Research Scholars:
Promote research and idea between academic institutions in the US and abroad
Teachers:
Educators come to teach full-time at an accredited US kindergarten, elementary, or secondary school
Au Pairs:
Young adult who lives with host family for 1 year and provides childcare and takes classes at an accredited US school of higher learning
Short-term Scholars:
Professors, scholars, or other experts coming to the US to lecture, consult, train, etc. on a short-term basis at US schools, museums, or libraries
Teachers:
Educators come to teach full-time at an accredited US kindergarten, elementary, or secondary school
Summer Work Travel Program:
University students work in seasonal/temporary jobs in the US during the summer
Short-term Scholars:
Professors, scholars, or other experts coming to the US to lecture, consult, train, etc. on a short-term basis at US schools, museums, or libraries
Specialists:
Experts in a specialized field come to learn and share knowledge with US colleagues
Government Visitors:
Distinguished foreigners come to foster relationships with US counterparts in federal, state, or local government
Interns:
University students and recent graduates seeking to learn US culture and business practices in their chosen field
Alien Physicians:
Foreign medical graduates seeking learning, research, or training in the US
International Visitors:
Reserved for State Department-sponsored and funded exchange participants
College/University Students:
Students seeking to study at a US institution of higher learning
Alien Physicians:
Foreign medical graduates seeking learning, research, or training in the US
Camp Counselors:
Individuals who interact with and supervise American youth at US camps
Application Process
- Choose the right Exchange Program for you.
- Contact the program sponsor, complete the sponsor’s application process, and be selected to the sponsor’s program. It is important to understand and plan to pay the sponsor program’s fees.
- Obtain Form DS-2019 from the sponsoring program.
- Pay the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee.
- Complete and submit Form DS-160 along with the required fee.
- Schedule and complete your visa interview. Be sure to bring all required documents and photograph. The visa interviewer will tell you if your application is approved or denied.
- If approved, continue to work with your program sponsor to coordinate and prepare to come to the US.
Validity Period
The J-1 visa is valid for the duration of the sponsor’s exchange program. The J-1 participant has 30 days to leave the US after the program ends.
It is important to note that certain categories have a 2-year residency requirement where the J-1 participant must return to their home country for at least 2 years.
Family of Visa Holder
The J-1 visa holder’s spouse and minor unmarried children may apply for and obtain J-2 visas. J-2 spouses can study and work in the US after obtaining an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
We Represent Clients Nationwide And Around The World
Contact Us To Learn More
Call David Hirson & Partners, LLP in Costa Mesa, California at 949-441-4003 or our Seattle, Washington, office at 206-926-3973 or contact us by email to arrange a consultation with one of our immigration attorneys today.
Disclaimer: The use of the internet or this form for communication with the firm or any individual member of the firm does not establish an attorney-client relationship. Confidential or time-sensitive information should not be sent through this form.