J-1 Visa Basics
The Exchange Visitor (J) non-immigrant visa category is for individuals approved to participate in work-and study-based exchange visitor programs in the United States. The J visa category should not be confused with other non-immigrant visa types like the Visitor Category (B) which is what people who wish to enter the US temporarily for business (B-1), for tourism (B-2) or both (B-1/B-2).
The J-1 visa is non-immigrant visa because those who are granted such only wish to stay in the U.S. for a limited time and for a specific purpose. This means that those with J visas must demonstrate their rootedness to their respective home countries and their intent to return home as soon as they are done with their exchange programs.
The J-1 Visa provides various opportunities for international candidates looking to travel and gain experience in the U.S. There are several programs under this visa category, though the most common J-1 Visa programs taken by Filipinos are the Trainee, Intern and Teacher streams. Depending on the program chosen, foreign nationals travel to the U.S. to teach, study, conduct research, demonstrate special skills or receive on the job training for periods ranging from a few weeks to several years.
In 2020, the Philippines was among the Top 10 countries who sent nationals to the U.S. under the J1 visa, specifically as J-1 Interns and J-1 Trainees. The Intern Program and the Trainee Program are among the more popular J-1 programs pursued by interested Filipinos.
Internship programs are designed to allow foreign college and university students or recent graduates to travel to the U.S. to gain exposure to U.S. culture and to receive practical training and hands-on experience in U.S. business practices in their chosen occupational field. The main benefit for this program is practical experience, as it bridges the gap between theory gained via formal education to practical work experience.
In 2020, the top states which received J-1 interns are California, New York, Florida, Texas and New Jersey. J-1 interns must have completed at least 2 full semesters at a university outside the U.S. or have received a university degree. Those who have degrees must start their internship program within 12 months after graduation.
Training programs on the other hand are designed to allow foreign professionals to travel to the U.S. to gain exposure to American culture and to receive training in U.S. business practices in their chosen occupational field. The main benefit is practical experience gained through structured and guided trainings.
In 2020, the top states which received J-1 trainees are New York, California, Florida, Texas and New Jersey. J-1 trainees must have completed a university degree in addition to having at least one year of full-time professional experience after graduating in the same field.
The U.S allows the spouse or the biological children (only up to 21 years of age) of J-1 visa holders to accompany them throughout the duration of their program. However, this does not come automatically as the spouse and the J-1 visa holder’s dependents must apply for a J-2 visa separately.
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Grant Visa is a Philippine-based corporation composed of dynamic and driven individuals with extensive corporate experience in the travel, documentation and other service-oriented industries among others. We closely collaborate with our international partners to ensure transparent and timely delivery of services to our clients who are looking to join international training, internship and cultural exchange programs. We are not a recruitment agency.