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EXCHANGE VISITORS AND AU PAIRS

Sevis Fee for J, F and M visa applicants

General Information for Exchange Visitors

The Immigration and Nationality Act provides two nonimmigrant visa categories for persons wishing to participate in exchange visitor programs in the United States. The "J" visa is for educational and cultural exchange programs designated by the Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, and the "Q" visa is for international cultural exchange programs designated by the Attorney General.

The "J" exchange visitor program is designed to promote the interchange of persons, knowledge, and skills in the field of education, arts, and sciences. Participants include:

students at all academic levels;

trainees obtaining on-the-job training with firms, institutions, and agencies;

teachers of primary, secondary and specialized schools;

professors coming to teach or do research at institutions of higher learning;

research scholars;

professional trainees in the medical and allied field;

international visitors coming for the purpose of travel, observation, consultation, research, training, sharing, or demonstrating specialized knowledge or skills, or participating in organized people-to-people programs.

The "Q" international cultural exchange program is for the purpose of providing practical training, employment, and the sharing of the history, culture and traditions of the participant's home country in the United States.

In order to qualify for an exchange visitor visa, an alien must meet the following requirements:

Documentation
All participants in the "J" program must present a Form DS-2019 prepared by a designated sponsoring organization.

Form DS-7002 for Training/Internship J-1 visas

This information pertains only to Trainees and Interns with a Form DS-2019 that was issued on or after July 19, 2007.

In addition to the Form DS-2019 each applicant must also present Form DS-7002, the Training/Internship Placement Plan, when applying for a J-1 visa. If your Form DS-2019 was issued prior to July 19, 2007 a Form DS-7002 is NOT required.

Form DS-7002 must be completed, signed and provided by your sponsoring organization. Sponsors may access the form at: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/84240.pdf.

For more information about the new rules for trainee and intern programs, see the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Exchange Visitor Program at: http://exchanges.state.gov/education/jexchanges/private/trainee.htm.

Participants in the "Q" program must be the beneficiary of a Form I-129, Petition for Nonimmigrant Worker, approved by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

Financial Resources
Participants in the "J" exchange visitor program must have sufficient funds to cover all expenses, or funds must be provided by the sponsoring organization in the form of a scholarship or other stipend.

"Q" exchange visitors will be paid by their employing sponsor at the same rate paid to local domestic workers similarly employed.

Scholastic Preparation
"J" exchange visitors must have sufficient scholastic preparation to participate in the designated program, including knowledge of the English language, or the exchange program must be designed to accommodate non-English speaking participants.

The "Q" exchange visitor must be 18 years old and have the ability to communicate effectively about the cultural attributes of his or her country.

Residence Abroad
Both "J" and "Q" applicants must demonstrate to the consular officer that they have a residence in a foreign country which they have no intention of abandoning, and that they are coming to the United States for a temporary period.

FAMILY MEMBERS

Family members of J-1 visa holders need to apply for J-2 visas. If you wish to apply for your spouse and children, you must also submit valid proof of the relationship (marriage booklet, marriage certificate, birth certificate).

The principal applicant and the dependent(s) both need separate DS-2019 forms.

The "Q" exchange program does not provide for the admission of the spouse or children of a participant in a derivative status.

Employment
Employment while in "J" exchange visitor status depends upon the terms of the program. Participants in programs which provide for on-the job training, teaching, research, or other activities which involve paid employment may accept such employment. Participants in programs which do not involve work may not accept outside employment.

The "Q" international cultural exchange program specifically authorizes paid employment as part of the program.

AU PAIRS

There are only two legal ways to work as an au pair for an American family in the U.S. One is through an au pair organization exchange program. (The other is to have an approved work petition, but these are very difficult to obtain; see "Temporary Workers.") For more information on au-pair exchange programs, you may want to contact one of the au pair organizations listed below:

Foreign Study Travel Service

AYUSA International

Cultural Care Au Pair

STEP IN

Expert AuPair