U.S. Visas to Provide Training for Exchange Visitors
The Exchange Visitor Program allows foreign nationals to visit the United States on a temporary basis in order to learn, study, observe, research, train or demonstrate special skills.
Foreign nationals who are not eligible for H-1B specialty worker classification may be able to enter the U.S. by applying for a trainee J-1 visa, which will allow them to learn and train in their respective fields of employment for a limited duration.
If you wish to learn more about the process of obtaining a J-1 exchange visitor visa, contact the law firm of Robert Brown LLC. Our law firm is headquartered in Cleveland. Our attorneys represent individuals across the globe.
A person can qualify for a J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa under a number of different categories. These include:
- Au pair and EduCare
- Camp Counselor
- Government Visitor
- Intern
- International Visitor (Dept. of State use)
- Physician
- Professor and Research Scholar
- Short Term Scholar
- Specialist
- Student, college or university
- Student, secondary
- Summer work/travel
- Teacher
- Trainee and Flight Training
J-1 Exchange Visas and Residency Requirements
The length for a J-1 visa will vary depending on the category of the Exchange Visitor Program. College students may come for the entirety of their academic programs while other visitors may come for a much shorter period of time.
Some visitors on J-1 visas may be required to complete a home residency requirement after their exchange program has ended. This typically includes exchange visitors who received funding from the government for the program. This residency requirement is supposed to help exchange visitors fulfill the intent of the program, which is to bring back the skills and knowledge acquired in the U.S. to utilize in their home countries.
Available J-1 Waivers
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, certain exchange visitors are subject to a two-year foreign residency requirement before being grant a J-1 visa. The five bases for obtaining a J-1 waiver are:
- A "no objection" statement from your home government
- A request from an interested U.S. Government agency on your behalf
- A claim that you will be persecuted if you return to your country of residence
- A claim of exceptional hardship to a U.S. citizen or permanent resident spouse or child if you are required to return to your home country
- A request from a state public health department, or its equivalent, on your behalf (only applies to foreign medical graduates who obtained J-1 status for graduate medical training or education) Apply for a J-1 Visa With Confidence
For more information about finding a sponsoring organization and applying for a J-1 visa, contact Robert Brown LLC. Call a lawyer at one of our offices in Ohio, Florida or North Carolina at 888.861.4414 to schedule an appointment for an initial consultation.
