Important Visa Documents
Once a match is confirmed, it’s time for participants to apply for the J1 Camp Counselor Visa.
For step-by-step instructions on how applicants can book their visa interview, please see How to Book your visa Interview at the Embassy.
DS-2019 Forms
Once we have matched a participant with a camp and the applicant signs the job offer, we will create the DS-2019 Form based on the information entered on their application. Before submitting any applications to InterExchange, please review the participants’ biographical information in their applications (especially the Place of Birth and names!). The information on the DS-2019 form must match the information on their passport. If there are errors, please notify us immediately.
The DS-2019 Form identifies InterExchange as the program sponsor and is proof of sponsorship. The form allows participants to work legally in the United States (provided they also have a valid J-1 Visa) for a specified period. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with the various sections of the DS-2019 Form.
InterExchange will provide participants with this form digitally through their personal Camp USA dashboard. ICs will not have direct access to their forms; however, you will be able to view their Program Numbers and SEVIS IDs, which will assist with the visa appointment process. InterExchange can not withhold DS-2019 forms from participants for agencies to collect payments. If you have any issues with collecting fees from an applicant, please contact us, and we’ll cancel their application.
Participants must PRINT out a copy of their DS-2019 forms to take with them to the embassy. The embassy will not accept it in digital form.
There are two dates listed in Section 3. These dates indicate the period during which participants may legally work at camp. Participants will have 30 days to travel after their contracts expire. Participants must leave the U.S. on or before the conclusion of the 30-day grace period.
I-901 Form - SEVIS Receipt
Participants will also need their SEVIS receipt (also known as the I-901 Form). Once we have issued their DS-2019 form through their InterExchange dashboard, they can access their SEVIS receipt here. They must PRINT out a copy to take with them to the embassy. They will NOT accept it in digital form.
Please advise participants to keep both documents in a safe place. Upon entry to the U.S, Exchange Visitors will be asked to show their DS-2019 and/or their SEVIS receipt. They will also need these documents to apply for a Social Security number once they have started working at camp.
J-1 Visa
When the visa is approved, it will be printed inside the passport. The visa is the document that allows them to enter the United States and explains the purpose of their travel to the U.S. The J-1 Visa is an Exchange Visitor Visa sponsored by InterExchange.
There are two items on the J-1 Visa that you should check:
- Entries. Under this heading, there will either be the number “1” or the letter “M.” If their visa has the number “1,” it is a Single Entry Visa. This means they can only enter the United States one time on this visa. If their visa has the letter “M,” it is a Multiple Entry Visa, which allows them to enter the U.S. multiple times. They could, for example, go to Canada during a weekend off and re-enter the United States. They should not plan on leaving and re-entering the United States during the 30-day travel period.
Important: If they have an “M” Multiple Entry visa and they plan to travel outside the U.S. and return, they must re-enter the U.S. before the expiration date on their visa and have their DS-2019 Form signed by InterExchange. Please note that, depending on your home country, you may be required to obtain a visa to travel to Mexico or Canada. Please contact the Mexican or Canadian consulate for information.
- The expiration date. They are only allowed to enter the U.S. until the expiration date stamped on their J-1 Visa (even if it is a multiple-entry visa) or until the end date of their DS-2019 Form, whichever is earlier.
Important Notes
Participants must return home within 30 days of their last day of work. InterExchange Camp USA will report all participants who do not return home to the U.S. Department of State and to the embassies of their home countries.
J-1 Visas issued by U.S. Embassies in some countries may have an expiration date that is later than the end date of this program. For example, you may find that the embassy has given them a visa that expires in two years, instead of four months. This does not allow them to stay in the U.S. for longer than the duration of our Camp USA program, which is indicated on their DS-2019 Form. Instead, it means that if they want to return to camp next year, they may not need to apply to the U.S. Embassy/Consulate for a new J-1 Visa. However, they will still need to get a new DS-2019 Form. The J-1 Visa is not valid without a DS-2019 Form. Some countries also have early end dates. Please ensure that your participants are aware of the return date to their country.
DS-160 Form
The first step for participants to complete to apply for the J-1 Visa is the DS-160 Form. They can complete this form here. They will need to submit the DS-160 Form, the DS-2019 Form, their SEVIS receipt, and a valid passport to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in their home country to schedule a visa appointment.
As an International Cooperator, we expect that you’ll help applicants through this process and ensure they have all the necessary documents, as requirements may vary by country.