A visa is a passport that helps citizens of foreign countries enter the United States. As a country with the leading economic and educational development in the world, the US is the dream destination for many international students, including Vietnam. Among them, the J-1 visa is the program that many young people are choosing. Let’s learn simple instructions on how to apply for a J-1 visa with SHI.

How to apply for a J-1 visa

J-1 Visa is a program for individuals participating in exchange programs in order to improve knowledge and skills and exchange cultures.

Find a sponsor for the J-1 visa application program

When applying for a J-1 visa, you need to find a designated sponsor to accept you into their program. Regardless of their physical location, many of these sponsoring organizations can place participants across the United States. The U.S. Department of State has an official list of designated sponsoring organizations here.

Remember that many organizations screen their participants and look for those with strong English language skills. Your sponsoring organizations can also help you with how to apply for a J-1 visa.

Register for DS-2019

Once you have applied and been approved by a designated sponsoring organization, the next step is to submit Form DS-2019, also known as “Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status (J- 1)”.

This form is an official document used by the U.S. Department of State to grant you an interview with a U.S. embassy or consulate.

Pay the visa application fee

You will have to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as part of your J-1 visa application – or this fee may already be part of your program fee for your sponsoring organization.

It is important to check with your sponsor to confirm whether the payment will be made by you or by them. If your sponsor pays the SEVIS fee on your behalf, be sure to get a receipt confirming payment.

Another fee you will pay is the Nonimmigrant Visa Application Processing Fee, which is $185 and can be paid by visiting Visa Services Fees of the US Department of State.

Interview with the US Embassy or Consulate

In order for your J1 visa application to be accepted, you will need final approval from a consular officer at the US embassy or consulate. Depending on your location, wait times to get an appointment may vary, so it’s important to schedule early to ensure that you have enough time before your program begins.

When applying for a J-1 visa, you will need to submit the following documents to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate:

Form DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status

Form DS-7002, Training/Internship Plan (for exchange interns or intern visa applicants)

Form DS-160, Electronic Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application

A passport valid for travel to the United States is valid for six months beyond the intended period of stay in the United States

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It is important to check with your specific embassy or consulate to confirm the required documents when applying for a J-1 visa. How to apply for a J-1 visa will be determined based on your embassy or consulate, as well as your personal circumstances, so it’s important to make sure you read up on what you need to do first and during the interview.