The J-1 Visa is the sticker in your passport, issued by a Consular Officer at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country. The J-1 Visa allows you to enter the U.S. when you present it with your DS-2019 Form at the border or airport. You cannot obtain a J-1 Visa stamp in the U.S.; it must be obtained in your home country at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
The J-1 Visa (together with your DS-2019 Form) allows you to:- Enter the U.S.
- Work up to 4 months (the dates on your DS-2019 Form)
- Apply for a Social Security number
This visa does not allow you to:- Work as domestic help in private homes, as an au pair, camp counselor, or in the medical field. Here is a complete list of prohibited jobs.
- Extend your work eligibility or program participation
You should think of the J-1 Visa as an entry visa which allows you to enter the U.S. The expiration date on your J-1 Visa is the last date you may enter the U.S., not the last day you can work, although they may be the same.

M = Multiple entries up to expiration date. If “1” is indicated, you may enter the U.S. only once.
Expiration Date = Last date of eligibility to enter the U.S., as long as accompanied by a valid DS-2019 Form.
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will also provide you with an admission stamp, usually on the same page as your J-1 Visa.
The admission stamp includes:- The date of admission (your arrival date)
- Class of admission (J-1) and
- Admitted until date (D/S)
The admission stamp is very important. Please make sure that your passport is stamped correctly and inform the CBP Officer if there are any errors!
The purpose of the Summer Work Travel program is for short-term cultural exchange. J-1 Visa extensions are not possible.
"