J-1 visa required document

  1. A Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160) Form. Visit the DS-160 web page for more information about the DS-160.
  2. A passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity date at least six months beyond your intended period of stay in the United States (unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions). If more than one person is included in your passport, each person desiring a visa must submit an application.
  3. One (1) 2 x 2 inches (51 x 51 mm) photograph taken within the last six months. This web page has information about the required photo format.
  4. Unless your J program is sponsored by the United States Government (with a program code beginning with a “G”), you must pay a US$160 non-refundable nonimmigrant visa application processing fee, payable in local currency.
  5. An approved DS-2019 from your U.S. program.
  6. Unless your J program is sponsored by the United States Government (with a program code beginning with a “G”), you must pay your Form I-901 SEVIS fee.
  7. Documents demonstrating strong financial, social, and family ties to your home country that will compel you to return to your country after your program of study in the United States ends.
  8. Financial and any other documents you believe will support your application and which give credible evidence that you have enough readily-available funds to meet all expenses for the first year of study and that you have access to funds sufficient to cover all expenses while you remain in the United States.
  9. Photocopies of bank statements will not be accepted unless you can also show original copies of bank statements or original bank books.
  10. If you are financially sponsored by another person, bring proof of your relationship to the sponsor (such as your birth certificate), the sponsor’s most recent original tax forms and the sponsor’s bank books and/or fixed deposit certificates.
  11. Academic documents that show scholastic preparation. Useful documents include school transcripts (original copies are preferred) with grades, public examination certificates (A-levels, etc.), standardized test scores (SAT, TOEFL, etc.), and diplomas.
  12. Research/study plans with detailed information about your planned studies or research in the United States, including the name and e-mail address of your advising professor and/or the head of your department in the United States.
  13. A resume/CV that provides detailed information about your past academic and professional experience, including a complete list of all publications to which you have contributed. Please click here for a sample resume.
  14. Official transcripts covering coursework at U.S. institutions.
  15. An advisors biography, CV, or webpage printout (for graduate students who have already been assigned an advising professor at their U.S. institution).
  • If you have dependents, you must also provide:
    1) Proof of your relationship to your spouse and/or child (e.g., marriage and birth certificates).
    2) Each spouse or child must have their own Form DS-2019. This form is used to obtain the visa required for the spouse/child to enter the United States with you as the principal holder of an exchange visitor visa, or to join you in the United States at a later date.