Do You Need a Lawyer or Third Party to Apply for J-1 Visa Sponsorship? | InterExchange (2024)

FAQs

Do You Need a Lawyer or Third Party to Apply for J-1 Visa Sponsorship? | InterExchange? ›

It's NOT required to use a third party.

As a reminder, you won't be sponsored for a J-1 visa by your company but by a sponsor organization. There are hundreds of sponsor organizations for the J-1 visa. You can find all of them on the government's official site. It's a list compiled by the Department of State and, therefore, regularly updated.

Who is eligible to be a J1 visa sponsor. The Secretary of State appoints sponsor organizations for J1 visas. These organizations can come in various forms, including government agencies, educational institutions, academic organizations, cultural organizations, non-profit organizations, and for-profit organizations.

You will need to make an appointment with the closest American embassy to claim your J-1 visa – $160 USD.

Researching Sponsors

There are a few ways you can research potential J-1 intern program sponsors: Check out the official Department of State (DOS) J-1 program sponsor list. This list is maintained by the DOS and includes all organizations that are authorized to sponsor J-1 visa programs.

So, the four mandatory agents that you need for getting a J-1 visa are: Yourself (logical, I know); The company that wants to hire you; Your J1 Sponsor (or J1 sponsor organization);

J-1 visas are also quite easy to get approved. The length of stay depends on the type of activity. Those pursuing academic study may get a visa for up to three years, while camp counselors will typically only get a 3-month stay. Extensions are also variable, depending on the category of visa.

J-1 visa sponsors vary widely, encompassing educational institutions, government agencies, private sector entities, and non-profit organizations. Depending on your specific exchange program or field, potential sponsors might include: Universities and Colleges for academic studies and research projects.

There are two nonimmigrant visa categories for persons to participate in exchange visitor programs in the United States. The J-1 visa is for educational and cultural exchange programs designated by the Department of State.

How much financial support is needed for J-1 visa? ›

You need to have proof of funds when you enter the US on a J1 and that's about €800 minimum with a job. It's advisable to have enough cash to cover a hostel for a few weeks at least. €1,000 minimum should keep you going for a month or so until you find a place to live and start working.

To be eligible for a J-1 Intern Program, you must be between the ages of 18 - 35 and meet ONE of the two following criteria: 1. You are a current student of an accredited program who is pursuing a relevant degree at the Associate's Degree level or higher. 2.

These individuals can engage in a variety of roles, such as au pairs, camp counselors, or researchers, among others. For companies, the categories of interest are often interns and trainees. It is indeed feasible for U.S. companies to employ J-1 visa holders, provided they adhere to specific regulatory requirements.

J-1 processing time, from the application to receiving your visa, can be anywhere between 8 weeks to 13 weeks, however, keep in mind that visa interview timelines can vary and affect the total processing time. There are different wait times associated with each stage of the process.

The U.S. Department of State plays the primary role in administering the J-1 exchange visitor program, so the first step in obtaining a J-1 visa is to submit a Form DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status, (formerly known as an IAP-66).

Generally, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services' (USCIS) regulations require J-1 holders to work only for their program sponsors. In some situations, however, J-1 holders may work for non-sponsor employers provided they meet eligibility requirements, which vary depending on the applicable category.