Pathways
J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa
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Work permitVerified official

J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa

United States

J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa

Fee summary

State Department fee page (USD): non-petition-based nonimmigrant visa application fee USD 185 (includes F, M and J). The SEVIS I-901 fee also applies and is paid at FMJfee.com (the amount is not shown on the Study in the States page). An issuance fee depends on your nationality.≈ $185

Processing time

State Department global visa wait times (updated 17 Sep 2026): next available interview appointment for student and exchange visas (F, M, J) is 2 months at New Delhi and 2.5 months at Mumbai. This is the appointment wait, not the decision time. A student visa can be issued up to 365 days before the course start, and you may enter no more than 30 days before it.

Job offer:DependsLanguage test:DependsFamily possible:YesPath to permanent residence:No
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Department of StateLast verified: Oct 8, 2026

Source-backed requirements

Total steps: 6
4 Mandatory2 Conditional
3 steps require documents
Jump to phase:
1

Eligibility

(1)

  1. English Proficiency

    DocumentMandatory

    Applicants must demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency to successfully participate in their chosen exchange program.

    Verified official
2

Qualification

(2)

  1. Program Sponsorship

    Mandatory

    Applicants must be accepted into a U.S. Department of State-designated exchange visitor program and be issued a Form DS-2019 by their sponsor.

    Verified official

  2. Financial Support

    Mandatory

    Applicants must show evidence of adequate financial resources to cover their expenses while participating in the exchange program in the United States.

    Verified official
3

Preparation

(2)

  1. SEVIS Registration

    DocumentMandatory

    All exchange visitors must be registered in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) by their program sponsor.

    Verified official

  2. Training/Internship Plan

    DocumentConditional

    Applicants participating in Trainee or Intern categories must provide a completed Form DS-7002, Training/Internship Placement Plan.

    Verified official
4

Application

(1)

  1. Two-Year Home Residency

    Conditional

    Certain participants may be subject to a two-year home-country physical presence requirement under section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act upon completion of their program.

    Verified official

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Source citations

State Department — Exchange Visitor Visa

U.S. Department of State

Verified official

DS2019 sponsor/SEVIS; all exchangevisitorsSEVIS; Intern/TraineeDS7002; financialsupport; category-specific212(e).

View official source

22 CFR 62.10 — Exchange visitor program administration

U.S. federal legislation/regulations

Verified official

Sponsor objectively verifies sufficientEnglish using recognizedtest OR academic/language-school signeddocumentation OR documentedinterview; no universalIELTS.

View official source

Official links

Official program pagetravel.state.gov

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