J-1 Visa Application Steps
Congratulations on being accepted to the InterExchange Career Training USA program! Now that you’ve been approved, your next step is to apply for a J-1 Visa at your local embassy or consulate. ALL Interns and Trainees (except Canadian citizens) must attend an embassy interview in order to receive a J-1 Visa, so it’s time to start the J-1 Visa application process.
Next Steps
1. Check Your Inbox
- You should have received an email from InterExchange entitled "APPLICATION APPROVED/SEVIS FEE PAYMENT INFORMATION."
* This email includes your SEVIS ID number as well as instructions on accessing and printing your DS-2019, DS-7002 Training Plan, and SEVIS fee payment receipt. These items are necessary for completing the DS-160 Non-immigrant visa application.
2. Complete the DS-160 online.
- Once you’ve reviewed your approval email, head to the Department of State’s Consular Electronic Application Center to fill-in and submit the DS-160 Non-immigrant visa application.
- Watch the video below on how to complete your DS-160 Non-immigrant visa application:
Note: The Department of State requires all Visa Applicants to submit their social media handles (including, but not limited to, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram) on their DS-160 Applications. A response to the questions related to social media is required. However, the form does allow the applicant to respond with "None."
Applicants should complete the application fully and honestly as failure to provide accurate and truthful responses on a visa application or during a visa interview may result in denial of the visa by a consular officer. At present, you will not be asked for your passwords or to update any of your current privacy settings.
3. Schedule your visa interview.
- Find the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate that issues J-1 Visas.
- Navigate to their nonimmigrant visa page to access the appropriate appointment scheduling link
- You should review the embassy or consulate’s website for any country-specific information, including instructions about scheduling interviews, submitting your visa application, and other frequently asked questions.
4. Print your required documents.
- Please login to your application dashboard to view, download, and print your DS-2019 and DS-7002 Forms, as well as your SEVIS fee payment receipt.
- You are required to take printed forms with you to the embassy; they will not accept digital forms on your phone.
5. Prepare for your embassy interview.
- Review our tips here.
- Gather other required documents as specified by the embassy. You will also need documented proof of ties to your home country or country of residency (documents may show you will return to school, have a job offer after your program, own property, etc.)
6. It’s time to attend your embassy interview!
- Remember to bring your printed DS-2019 and DS-7002 with you to the embassy, as well as any additional documents specified on the embassy or consulate website.
- After a successful visa interview, the embassy will generally return your passport with your J-1 Visa inside within about five days.
