There are many uses of the exchange visitor visa program, popularly known as “J-1 Visa” . The Exchange Visitor program or visa provides opportunities for foreigners to travel to the United States to acquire educational, cultural and/or employment experiences. It also exposes Americans to other cultures and in the case of families with young children, a pool of inexpensive childcare providers and cultural enrichment for the entire family. The following are a sample of the different uses of the J-1 visa program:
AU PAIR
The Au Pair program provides child care providers to host families in the United States while the foreign visitor takes post-secondary school courses in the United States. To be eligible for this program, applicants must have completed secondary school education in their home country. They must pass background investigation and a personality profile screening. The applicant must be between 18 and 26 years of age at the time of application. Successful applicants may spend up to threes in the United States at a time. They may reapply but after returning and spending two years at their home country. 22 CFR Section 62.31
CAMP COUNSELOR
Foreigners who are at least 18 years of age may apply to come to the United States as summer camp counselors during the summer . The eligibility candidates include Bona fide youth workers, students, teachers or individuals with specialized skills in their home country. The duration of stay in the United States is the summer months, about four months. As in the case of Au Pair, the may apply again if they returned home after the initial participation. Unlike the Au pair program, they do not have to spend two years at home before applying again. 22 CFR Section 62.30
SUMMER WORK TRAVEL
Full time post secondary school students in foreign countries may apply to work in unskilled, seasonal or temporary jobs/occupations in the United States during the summer months. This program provides foreign students opportunity to acquire job experience in the United States. It also provides them opportunity and exposure to experience United States culture and ways of life. The program last between four to twelve months. 22 CFR Section 62.32
SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENTS
Foreign secondary school students who have not yet graduated may come to study in the United States public or private secondary schools for an academic semester or an academic year while residing with an American host family. This program is for students who are between 15 and 18.5 years of age. While in the United States, the student must be a full-time student. The student is permitted to stay in the United States for a minimum of one or a maximum of two academic semesters or Quarter equivalent. 22 CFR Section 62.25
COLLEGE AND UNIVERSITY STUDENTS
This program is for foreign college students or non-degree students who are coming to the United States to participate in degree or non-degree programs or internship programs. The course of study or internship in the United States must lead to or be part of their degree requirement. The student must not be funded entirely by personal or family funds. This implies that the student must be sponsored by entities other than family. The duration of stay are (1) duration of course of study, (2) 24 months for non-degree students or (3) 12 months for student interns. 22 CFR Section 62.23
TEACHERS
Foreign school teachers with advanced degrees or are within 12 months of acquiring advanced degrees may apply to teach in the United States. To qualify for this visa, they must have a minimum of two years teaching experience and satisfy the teaching requirements of the state of intended employment. They must be coming here to teach at the primary or secondary school level. The duration of stay is up to three years with the possibility of extension for one or two years as recommended by the sponsoring academic institution. They may return after the foreign residency requirement of two years. 22 CFR Section 62.24
SPECIALISTS
Individuals who are recognized as experts in their field may travel to the United States on J-1 visa to observe, consult and/or demonstrate their specialized knowledge or special skill. These individuals nay not take up permanent positions in the United States. The duration of stay is between three to twelve months. 22 CFR Section 62.26
TRAINEE
Foreigners with post secondary education and at least one year work experience or a minimum of five years of work experience in their trade may travel to the United States to participate in a structured training program in their field. The training may last from three weeks to up to eighteen months. However, if they are coming to the United States to train in the hospitality industry, they may stay for up to twelve months. They may return after fulfilling the two years foreign residency requirement. 22 CFR Section 62.22
INTERN
Students who are enrolled in post secondary institutions overseas or those who have graduated no more than 12 months before the program start date may apply for structured internship programs in their of study in the United States. The duration of the program may range from three weeks to twelve months. They may also return if they are admitted to an advanced internship program at the next level 22 CFR Section 62.22
ALIEN PHYSICIAN
Medical school graduates with board certification in their home country may come to the United States to pursue graduate medical education or training at an accredited medical schools or scientific institutions in the United States. They must be coming to the United States to acquire documented skills that are lacking in their home country. The duration of stay is limited to seven years unless documented exceptional need in the home country for their filed of study. 22 CFR Section 62.27
PROFESSORS & RESEARCH SCHOLARS
Professors, Researchers, Post-doctoral or Pre-doctoral, graduate students, including lawyers may travel to the United States to participate in research, observe or consult in connection with a project. Professors may come to observe or lecture in higher institutions in the United States. Their job must be in nature and in non-tenure tract appointments. They must not have been in the United States for 12 months preceding the start date of their program. They must possess a minimum academics in their field with requisite experience as well. The duration of stay is between three weeks to five years. They may return after they have fulfilled they foreign residency requirement. 22 CFR Section 62.20
SHORT-TERM SCHOLAR
Professors, Researchers, post-doctoral and pre-doctoral candidates including graduate students may come to the United Staes for short-term visits to lecture, consult, observe, train or to demonstrate special skills at research institutions, museums, libraries and post-secondary institutions in the United States for short periods of time, mostly between 1 day to six months. They may return as often as they are engaged by these institutions in the United States.