J1 Work Visa

With a J-1 Visa, visitors can get a taste of life in America: working, training, or traveling legally under the auspices of the US government. There are a whole host of fields that one can delve into– both in the private and public sectors– but the challenge is in finding an organization and profession that matches your experience and will allow you to thrive.

This guide provides you with an overview of the various programs and professions that you can explore with a J-1 visa, along with vital information on the enrollment process.

What is a J-1 Visa?

The J-1 Visa is granted to enrollees in the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, a broad set of programs that includes 14 separate categories. Each category corresponds to a set of organizations that are licensed by the U.S. State Department to sponsor foreign nationals for work or training in the United States. These organizations and subprograms have their own practices and objectives which must be completed by the enrollees for the sponsorship to be granted and retained.

How to Enter the J-1 Visa Program

The sponsorship organizations designated by the U.S. State Department are the mediators of the enrollment process, and the J1 Work Visa is obtained through them. If the program falls within the academic and government sectors then the application will be submitted to the relevant educational or government institution. For programs in the private sector applicants must coordinate with the relevant sponsorship organizations. Once the application is submitted and processed these institutions will produce the necessary forms and documentation to be presented to the U.S. embassy upon entry into the country.

The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program Categories

There are 14 different program categories in the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, falling into two broader sections: private sector, and academic or government sector.

The private sector categories are Physician, Au Pair and Educare, Camp Counsellor, Secondary School Student, Summer Work/Travel, Teacher, Trainee, and Intern.

The public sector categories are Government Visitor, International Visitor, Short Term Scholar, Professor and Research Scholar, Specialist, and Student College/University.

Read on for information on each J-1 category and any specific conditions or requirements that may apply.

Private Sector J-1 Visa Jobs

Physician

The Physician program provides foreign nationals with an opportunity to study and train at US medical schools. Applicants to this program must have the requisite educational background and training, and must have passed one of the following:

• Part I or II of the National Board of Medical Examiners Examination
• Step I or II of the Foreign Medical Graduate Examination
• Visa Qualifying Examination (VQE) prepared by the National Board of Medical Examiners

Au Pair and Educare

The Au Pair Program allows childcare providers to exchange services for room and board with a host family. Typically Au Pair applicants must pass a background check and complete an interview in their host country before being paired with a host.

Camp Counsellor

This program allows post-secondary students and youths to work at American summer camps. Applicants must be proficient in English, good with children, and a minimum of 18 years old.

Summer Work/Travel

This program has a broad aim, allowing enrollees to travel the United States and work over the course of a summer, no longer than 4 months. Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Proficient in English
• Full-time post-secondary students
• Completed one post-secondary semester
• A job offer in the US, unless from a visa waiver country

Teacher

This program allows foreign teachers to visit US  primary or secondary schools and instruct for up to three years. Applicants to this program must have the proper teaching qualifications in their home country, at least three years of teaching experience, proficiency in English, and must meet the standards of the US state in which they’re instructing.

Intern

The Intern Program allows professionals to get training and experience in the United States in their professional field.  In this program, applicants have to be currently enrolled in a post-secondary institution or have graduated within 12 months of the start of the program, and must be proficient in English and at least 18 years old.

Academic and Government Sector J-1 Visa Jobs

Government Visitor

This program is designed for accomplished professionals– chosen by a federal, state or local US government institution– to visit and build connections between communities abroad and the United States.

International Visitor (Department of State)

The International Visitor Program is similar to Government Visitor, but the distinguished professionals are chosen by the US Department of State to interchange with American specialists and experts.

Short Term Scholar

This program allows accomplished figures in various academic fields to visit the United States and establish relationships with other academics in educational institutions to facilitate learning and cultural interchange. The duration of the visit cannot exceed six months.

Professor and Research Scholar

This program is for credentialed professors or research scholars to visit an American educational or research institution, with the aim of deepening mutual interchange of knowledge and expertise between American and foreign communities. The duration of the J-1 Visa for this program can extend up to five years.

Specialist

The Specialist Program facilitates interchange of expertise between American and foreign specialists in various fields. This program lasts up to one year.

College and University Student

This program permits foreign students to visit the United States on a J-1 Visa to study at an American educational institution. Participants in this program are obligated to take a full course load and maintain good academic standing.

Conclusion

The J-1 Visa is geared towards those who have a specific vision for what they will do and accomplish in their visit to the United States. Applicants must have a program in mind and must be able to demonstrate that they can fulfill the obligations involved. With a J-1 Visa in hand, a visitor can coordinate with American institutions to find the placement that suits their abilities and desires. The difficult part, then, is obtaining the visa and finding a sponsor. Ensuring that you can meet all the standards and requirements the program stipulates, and completing each part of the application process scrupulously, is the surest guarantor of getting the visa.

Frank Gogol

I’m a firm believer that information is the key to financial freedom. On the Stilt Blog, I write about the complex topics — like finance, immigration, and technology — to help immigrants make the most of their lives in the U.S. Our content and brand have been featured in Forbes, TechCrunch, VentureBeat, and more.

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