What type of visa is required to study in the United States for a short period of time?

B1 B2 is a business travel visa, and it is also the most commonly issued type by the US Consulate

Summer school is a type of short-term study and exchange, which is the J-1 visa

The following is an introduction to the J-1 visa from the US Consulate

Applying for a J-1 visa is a two-step process. First, the U.S. sponsoring organization must issue a DS-2019 form proving that you meet exchange visit status. Most universities and some institutions are qualified to issue this form, but if the project sponsor is not, it needs to issue the DS-2019 form through an intermediary agency with such qualifications. Click here to learn more about the exchange visitor program and a list of the institutions responsible for the program.

Requirements for obtaining an exchange visit visa

Financial sources

Applicants for this type of visa must have sufficient funds required for the project; the funds must be provided by the sponsor Institutions provide this in the form of scholarships or other grants.

Academic preparation

Exchange visitors must be fully academically prepared, including English skills, for the established project they are about to participate in. Otherwise, the project will be designed with students who do not know English of participants.

Special Requirements for Medical Education and Training Applicants

J-type program exchange visitors participating in medical education graduate or training must meet specific requirements: including passing the medical examination for foreign medical graduate students , English qualification certificate, automatically subject to two years of residence abroad (described below) and subject to program duration. Doctors who come to the United States for the purpose of inspection, seminar, teaching or research are not subject to the above regulations.

Overseas residence (non-immigrant intention)

As with student visas and most other non-immigrant visa types, in order to meet the requirements for an exchange visitor visa, the applicant must apply to the visa applicant during the interview. The official certifies that he or she has a permanent residence outside the United States and will return after the visit.

SEVIS

The project sponsor must report to the U.S. Department of State that the applicant has been accepted as a project participant. Applicant information will be entered into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). See this page for more information about the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.

Required materials

In addition to the materials listed in the How to Apply section, exchange visitor visa applicants must also submit a certificate of exchange visitor qualifications provided by the U.S. project sponsor. Form DS-2019 (J-1) for proof of identity conditions.

Suggested supplementary materials

Financial Proof

All J-1 applicants must prove that their financial ability is sufficient to cover their expenses in the United States, or that all Participation in the program provides a salary that covers all costs. This certificate may include:

Exchange program subsidy: Proof that the subsidy provided by the U.S. program sponsor will cover all expenses incurred in the United States.

Personal deposits: Bank passbook or monthly financial report showing current assets and recent fund flows.

Grant: The sponsor should provide proof of assets and income, including current bank account status and documentation of property ownership.

A written statement detailing the objectives and content of the exchange program; if the position includes on-the-job training, a specific training plan is also required.

Recommended supplementary materials that participants in science and technology projects should submit

Applicants who plan to engage in science and technology projects in the United States should bring the following supplementary materials to the interview:

If possible, list of publications or published articles;

Letter from the project sponsor; if the applicant is going to participate in the project at a school or university, Then, the letter should be issued by the department where you will work.

Exchange Visit Visa Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply for a B1/B2 business/tourist visa to go to the United States for an exchange visit?

Most training programs and internship positions are not eligible for B1/B2 visas. Only applicants who meet the following categories can come to the United States for training on a B1/B2 visa. (In addition, you need to apply for a J visa or a short-term work visa):

Type 1: Trainees sent to the U.S. office by their current employer

Applicants must be The company is a regular employee of the local (China) company and will go to the United States to visit the company's parent company, branch or sister company in the United States;

The trainee's salary, travel expenses and living expenses must be provided by Institutions in China, not undertaken by the United States;

This project is limited to demonstration lectures and does not include "on-the-job" practice;

The visit schedule should not exceed 6 months.

Second type: Self-funded training program in a US company or institution

Applicants must pay all their own expenses. Salary, travel expenses or living expenses cannot be paid by the US company where the training is located, nor by the project co-sponsor or educational institution in the applicant's country;

This project is limited to demonstration teaching and does not include "on-the-job training" "Practice;

The visit schedule should not exceed 6 months.

Can I work in the United States as an exchange visitor?

Working under Category J exchange visitor status is subject to the conditions of the program. Participants may be accepted for a job position if the program provides on-the-job training, teaching, research, or other programs that include paid employment. For projects that do not include job positions, participants may not accept work outside of the project.

What is the earliest time I can arrive in the United States?

If you have started a new exchange program (one that you have not participated in for some time), you can only arrive up to 30 days before the registration start date listed on the DS-2019 form . Please consider this factor carefully when making plans to travel to the United States. The 30-day limit does not apply to exchange visitors who return to the United States to continue working on a project, and they can enter the United States at any time.

How long can I stay in the United States? Do I have to leave as soon as my visa expires?

When you enter the United States on a J-1 visa, you are usually allowed to stay because of your exchange visitor status, which is abbreviated as "D/S" in your passport. This provision means that even if the visa in your passport has expired, you can still stay until the expiration date shown on your DS-2019 form.

If your visa has expired and you need to travel abroad, you must reapply for a visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate overseas in order to re-enter the United States and continue your project tasks.

After you complete the projects shown on the DS-2019 form, you will have a 30-day grace period to travel or visit friends in the United States before you must leave the United States.

What are the overseas residence requirements?

Exchange visitors holding a J visa, whether participating in a project funded by an agency at any level of the U.S. government; or funded by the applicant's home government; or have been designated by the exchange visitor program and the assigned staff program Citizens or residents of countries with exchange visitor skills; they must return to their country of citizenship or last place of residence after completing their program in the United States. You are eligible to apply for an immigration or short-term work visa after living there for two years.

Is it possible for my family to accompany me during my exchange program in the United States or to visit relatives later? What visa does he or she need?

Only spouses and children of J-1 exchange program visa holders can obtain J-2 visas; parents and other family members are not eligible for J-2 visas. They can only apply for tourist visas to visit J-1 visa holders for short periods of time.

Spouse and children, whether accompanying the exchange visitor or subsequently visiting relatives, must each submit an application form and attach a recent photo. Spouses and children must also each present a copy of their marriage or birth certificate. Family members traveling to the United States to visit the exchange visitor must also present their respective DS-2019 forms.