APPLYING FOR THE J-1 NON-IMMIGRANT CULTURAL EXCHANGE VISITOR VISA

FACES is recognized by the United States Department of State and is a sponsor of an Exchange Visitor Program for teachers. If you are selected to participate in the FACES Program, FACES will issue you a Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status (Form DS-2019). After obtaining a visa and admission to the United States , FACES will serve as your sponsor and employer for a period not to exceed 3 years. This maximum period of three years for the J-1 visa cannot be extended. For more details about the J-1 Exchange Visitor visa visit http://exchanges.state.gov/education/jexchanges .

REQUIRED FEES  

Approximately 60 days prior to the Program start, or Orientation, FACES will send you a Form DS-2019, a letter of invitation and a copy of Form I-901. Form I-901 confirms that a $100 USD program processing fee has been paid by FACES. This processing fee is required before you can obtain your visa. This is different than the non-refundable $100 USD per visa applicant fee payable to the U.S. Embassy. Each country will have specific instructions on the method for paying this fee. Review the Embassy instructions at www.travel.state.gov/travel/abroad_embassies.html . In addition to the visa application fee, teachers from some countries must also pay a Visa Issuance Fee to the U.S. Embassy. The amount of this fee varies by country. To determine whether you are subject to the visa issuance fee, visit: www.travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/fees/fees_1341.html . Click on your home country to review the fees, if any, for J-1 or J-2 dependents

Once you receive your Form DS-2019, you should immediately begin making preparations to apply for your J-1 visa.

If immediate family members (spouse and children under 21 years only) will travel to the United States to live with you, a Form DS-2019 (J-2 status) will be required for each of the eligible family members. The I-901 Form is not required for J-2 dependents.

We recommend that you apply for the J-1 visa in your home country or country of legal residence as third-country visa processing is much more difficult and the risk of denial is greater. It is very difficult to prove ties to your home country when you apply for a non-immigrant visa in a country other than your country of citizenship or legal residence.

To apply for a J-1 visa, the United States Consulate will require:

REQUIRED DICUMENTATION

1. Valid Passport : Every visa applicant should have a passport with at least 6 months validity remaining prior to entry into the United States .
2. Visa Forms : Additional forms are required: DS-156, DS-156 (for men only ages 16-45) and DS-158. These forms may be downloaded and printed in the English version from the Internet at http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html . Or obtain these forms from a United States Consulate Office. All questions must be completed. A color photograph must be attached on the back lower right side of the form. Your photo must meet the guidelines and restrictions noted on the website. Make sure it is exact.  
3. Additional information The J-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa, valid for three years. In order to receive the visa, the applicant must provide evidence of strong, binding ties to the home country and a permanent residence outside of the United States . Under the U.S. immigration law, all non-immigrant visa applicants are viewed as intending to immigrate to the United States unless the applicant can convince a Consular Officer to the contrary. You must be able to show that the reasons for returning to your home country are stronger than those for remaining in the United States . If you are unable to provide these documents to the consular officer, this does not necessarily mean that you will not get the visa. It is our experience that it is better to have too much information (documents) than not enough. Here are some ideas:
1. Teachers may need a document from their employer school certificating indicating how long they have been there and, if possible, that the position will be available for them when you come back to your country. Letters of recommendations can also be useful (those that you faxed to FACES).
2. Family financial status. It is important to have these documents with you, but ONLY show if the consular requests them. Bank statements for at least 6 months and/or savings account or investments.
3. Documents showing ownership of houses, and/or banking accounts, land, cars or any other assets always helps. You can also show connections with your families (e.g. sick parents, children under care, etc.). For married candidates the documents must refer to your own situation. For single candidates you can relate to parents, brothers or any immediate family if they have no personal possessions.
4. Last but not least it is important to speak English freely with the consular officer. Be optimistic, try not to be tense, but smile! If you are asked if your teaching position with the FACES program is confirmed, it is important to say "YES". FACES does not invite teachers to the US without a confirmed position.

VISA ISSUANCE

The machine-readable visa will be affixed directly to your passport and is generally valid for a three-year period. However, certain countries may issue the visa for less than the three-year period as listed on your DS-2019 form. In the event that your visa is granted for less than 3 years, this does not mean that you need to leave the United States after this time. It requires that you renew your visa at the U.S. Consulate in your home country after the expiration date when you travel internationally before re-entering the United States . J-1 visas cannot be renewed in the United States .