AJ1 BridgeUSA

APPLYING FOR J-1 VISA

You have been approved for sponsorship by American Journey and now it is time to schedule your interview at the embassy. Before you go to your interview, there are a few important steps you need to to take.

Visa application requirements can often change, so it is very important that you follow the most current procedures for J-1 Visa applications at the embassy or consulate where you will apply.

Step 1: Review and Sign Your DS-2019 Form

The DS-2019 Form is not a visa application form or a J-1 Visa. Instead, it certifies your eligibility and allows you to apply for a J-1 Visa.

Read both sides and thoroughly check the information (e.g. your name, dates). Errors on this form could result in a visa denial. Please inform American Journey immediately if you discover any errors.

Read the instructions on the back of the form and sign your name at the bottom of page 1 to accept the terms and conditions on page 2. Your signature is an explicit acceptance of the terms of the program. It is your responsibility as a participant of this program to abide by the laws of the federal, state, and local governments of the United States as well as the rules and regulations set forth by AJ1 your program sponsor.

Keep your DS-2019 Form in good condition throughout the entire visa process and your stay in the U.S.

Step 2: Pay the SEVIS Fee

SEVIS is the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, which manages data about international students and exchange visitors in the U.S. It tells the U.S. government where you live, where you train, and your legal status on your J-1 Intern Train program.

Before applying for the J-1 Visa, you must pay the SEVIS fee to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to cover the SEVIS administration costs. The fee is currently $220 and is non-refundable.

As an exchange visitor, you are required to pay the SEVIS fee. However, if you are bringing any dependents, they do not have to pay a SEVIS fee. To pay the SEVIS fee, you must submit Form I-901, using information from your DS-2019 Form. Click here for the link to pay your I-901 SEVIS fee.

If you do not pay the SEVIS fee before your embassy or consulate appointment, you will not be considered for a J-1 Visa.

Step 3: Schedule Your Appointment with the Embassy/Consulate

Complete the DS-160: https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/
- Please be sure to write down your application ID and save frequently while completing the document.
- You will need information from your SEVIS receipt and personal information
Review your local embassy's website for their document requirements.
The Department of State requires all Visa Applicants to submit their social media information (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.
Update your American Journey portal with your embassy date.

Step 4: Gather your Documents

Bringing all the required documents is the most important thing you can do to ensure your interview goes smoothly. Most embassies will cancel your appointment (without refunding the $185 fee) if you have not brought all your documents. Below is a list of documents you must bring. It is vital that you also read the requirements listed on the website for the U.S. Embassy in your country, as they are subject to change and may vary by location.

DS-2019 Form sent to you by American Journey. When you receive your document, please review it to make sure there are no errors and then print and sign it.
DS-7002 Form, (signed Training Internship Placement Plan). You will need to bring the official copy of the training plan that has been electronically signed by you, your host employer, and American Journey.
Current passport, valid for at least six months after program end date.
DS-160 confirmation page.
One 5 x 5-centimeter (2 x 2 inch) color photograph taken in the past six months.
SEVIS payment receipt.

You may also be asked for the following:

Proof of funds for the duration of your stay in the U.S.
Proof of home ties. As the J-1 is a nonimmigrant visa, some consular officials often ask you to discuss or show proof of your intention to return home.
Current students can often show that you need to return to continue taking courses and finish your degree.
If you are out of school, a job offer for when you return, property ownership or the intention to go back to school for another degree may suffice.
If none of the above apply to you, try to document close family ties and be able to discuss specific plans for after your internship is over.

This can vary greatly from country to country and consular officer to consular officer; it is a good idea to bring this kind of documentation with you so that you will be prepared to present it if needed.

Step 5: Receive your visa

If your J-1 Visa is granted, the Embassy/Consulate will put the visa sticker in your passport and return it and your DS-2019 form to you. Be sure to collect all of your documents!

If you are denied a visa, please contact American Journey immediately to discuss your options for reapplying. In many cases you will be able to reapply and will simply need to bring information that you did not have during your first attempt.

Step 6: The Day of Your Interview

Ties to Home Country: Consular officers assume that all non-immigrant visa applicants are intending to immigrate to the U.S. You are responsible for proving that you plan to return home after your program. You must prove you have "compelling ties" to your home country, such as: family members who still live in your home town, university classes to attend after your program, a job lined up after you return, bank statements showing financial assets in your home country, or anything else that indicates your clear intention to leave the U.S. at the end of your program. It is best if you bring supporting documentation such as a job offer letter, proof of student status or documents for assets in your home country. Without this proof, it will be difficult to show you have ties to your country.
Interview Alone: Do not bring parents, family members or friends with you to the interview. The consular officer wants to interview you, not your family or friends. If you are not willing to speak on your own behalf, you will not appear mature enough to participate in a cultural exchange program and you will be denied a visa.
Practice Your English Skills: You will be interviewed in English, not in your native language. You should be practicing English every day, preferably with a fluent speaker, in preparation for your U.S. experience. This practice will also help you prepare for your interview.
Relax and Answer Questions Directly: Consular officers often feel pressure to conduct quick interviews because there are many people applying for visas. Then they must decide whether or not to grant you a visa after speaking to you for only a few minutes. Remain calm and try not to be nervous. Do not prepare speeches for the interview, do not be afraid to speak English and answer the consular officer's questions as best you can.
Know Why You Want a Visa: Be sure that you understand the purpose of the J-1 Visa. You should also be able to identify and explain your own personal reasons for this program to the consular officer.
Be Polite and Positive: Do not argue with the consular officer. If you are denied a J-1 Visa you should ask why, specifically, you were denied. Also, ask the consular officer for a list of documents he or she would suggest you bring if you re-apply or how you can improve your chances receiving a visa in the future.

AT THE EMBASSY

The majority of J-1 participants find that their interview appointments are straightforward. You are usually asked to submit your documents at one window; then you will be asked to move to another window or another room for your interview. If your documents are in order, your interview is more likely to go smoothly and quickly. The questions our participants have been asked vary, and you should be prepared to answer a number of questions about your program, your qualifications, and what your plans are for after you return home.

Here are the most common questions asked of our participants:

What will you be doing in the U.S.?
Tell us about any previous visits to the U.S.
Tell us about your training.
What are your plans for when you return home after your program? (It's good to think about your plans for after your program in advance of your interview, as this is an important question.)

Although every interview is different and you should be prepared to answer all types of questions, this article should help you feel a bit more prepared. It is also a good idea to ask other people in your country who have done the same type of program for their advice, as their experience will probably be closest to yours.

RECEIVE YOUR VISA

If your J-1 Visa is granted, the embassy/consulate will put the visa sticker in your passport and return it along with your DS-2019 form to you.

Inform American Journey of your visa approval, make your travel arrangements and complete the arrival information.

If you are denied a visa, please contact AJ1 immediately to discuss your options for reapplying. In many cases you will be able to reapply and will simply need to bring information that you did not have during your first attempt. Contact us so we discuss options on apply a second time, and to amend your program dates, if necessary.

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