J1/J2 Visa Information

    J1 Visa is issued for exchange visitors (EV), research scholars, and exchange scholars/students who come to URI. The following information is provided as guidance to obtain J1 Visa in general. J2 Visa is issued to the spouse and children of the exchange visitors (EV) who apply for J1 visa. Exchange visitors (EV) can be classified as scholars and students.
 
    Scholars are mostly professors and researchers.  Exchange students are mostly engaged in either full-time course of study up to 24 months (non-degree) or in academic and language trainings. Depending on the field of profession and country, the two-year foreign residence requirement would be applied. You should always follow the guidelines given to you by the American Consulate. If you have any questions regarding any of the information described below, please contact the American Consulate having jurisdiction over your visa application. To find the nearest American consulate or embassy visit American Consulate. In order to obtain the J-1 visa you must submit a required documents or evidences as listed below:

1. DS-2019 issued and signed by the University of Rhode Island
    
2. Evidence of financial ability to meet your academic expenses. Use Certificate of Financial Responsibility Form and the min. amount of financial responsibility should be obtained from estimated expense
    
3. Proof of Health Insurance for self and dependents. You can get the proof of health insurance form here. For more detailed information at URI Health Service Web Site.
    
4. Proof of a valid passport (valid for at least 6 months into the future)
    
5. Adequate photograph, for more detailed information, please visit USCIS Photo
    
6. OISS Office charges a flat processing fee of $150.00 per exchange visitor to defray the registrion fees paid by URI to SEVIS, introduced by the department of homeland security after september 11,2003
    
7. Machine Readable Visa (MRV) surcharge fee of $100.00 (fee subject to change)
    
8. Visa reciprocity fee (if applicable) http://travel.state.gov/visa/reciprocityweb/index.htm

Some of helpful questions and answers as follow:

1. Where can I apply for the J-1 Visa?
   
   1. Generally, you may apply for a visa at the country of home residence. Normally you should apply for a visa “at a consular office having jurisdiction over the alien’s place of residence.
   
   
2. When can I apply for the J-1 visa?
   
   You can apply for the J-1 visa at any time before the program start date (listed on the DS-2019 form); however, the visa stamp will not be issued until 90 days before the program start date (listed on the DS-2019 form).
   
   
3. After the visa has been issued, when can I enter the United States?
   
   Even if your visa stamp is issued 90 days before the program start date (listed on the DS-2019 form), you will only be allowed to enter the country no earlier than 30 days before the program start date (listed on the DS-2019 form), therefore you must plan accordingly. We wish you the best of luck in your visa application!

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This site was last updated on Aug 30, 2006 . Questions or Comments?