What is the J-1 Visa?

J-1 VISA | #CENETJ1

Cultural Exchange Network (CENET)

Program Sponsors

CENET is an authorized J-1 visa sponsorship organization. If you have any questions about the J-1 visa, please contact CENET!

Email: cenet@culturalexchangenetwork.org

Telephone: 1-573-335-7111

www.culturalexchangenetwork.org

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To take part in a J-1 exchange, a participant must obtain the services of a State Department designated U.S. visa sponsor. Authorized sponsors are responsible for all aspects of the exchange program, including screening & selecting of participants and monitoring the participants throughout their programs in the U.S.

Sponsors are accountable to the Department of State. In addition to Annual Reports and ongoing support throughout programs, sponsors must also undergo a thorough designation process to implement the program; designation expires and must be renewed on an annual or biannual basis. The list of authorized sponsors may be on the State Department website.

Why support the J-1 visa?

The J-1 visa increases mutual understanding.

• U.S. Ambassadors consistently rank exchange programs among the most useful catalysts for long-term political change and mutual understanding.
• The majority of participants complete their J-1 exchanges with an improved impression of the U.S. and its people.

What is the J-1 Visa?

Governing Body

The J-1 visitor program is a non-immigrant visa that allows future leaders from around the globe to experience a temporary cultural exchange program in the United States. An underlying purpose of the program is for ideas and experiences to be shared in the exchange visitor's home country.

Each year, approximately 300,000 future leaders from more than 200 approved countries and territories come to the U.S. on a J-1 visa.

J-1 participants are screened and vetted prior to arrival, monitored while in the U.S., and are required to depart the U.S. within 30-days of the program's end date. Majority of participants leave with an improved perception of the United States and its citizens.

The J-1 visa program is governed by the U.S. Department of State. Each J-1 category has its own regulatory requirements mandated by the Department of State. J-1 exchanges have assisted the Department of State in furthering U.S. foreign policy objectives.

To ensure compliance and to safeguard the health, safety, and welfare of J-1 participants, the Department of State utilizes designated program sponsors.

J-1 Visa Recap

Why support the J-1 visa?

The J-1 visa is a public diplomacy program that increases U.S. national security, strengthens the U.S. economy, and increases mutual understanding.

Approximately 300,000 J-1 exchanges take place each year at virtually no cost to the U.S. taxpayer.

The J-1 visa strengthens the U.S. economy.

• J-1 cultural exchanges occur at virtually no cost to the U.S. taxpayer.
• J-1 exchanges bring resources to U.S. communities through program dollars and participant spending while in the U.S.
• J-1 exchange participants stimulate innovation & cultivate entrepreneurship (20% of participants are engaged in STEM fields).

J-1 Program Categories

All J-1 visa categories include an educational or training component while participants temporarily reside in the United States. The program promotes cultural exchange between the U.S. and other countries. There are 14 J-1 program categories:

• Summer Work and Travel, Intern, Trainee, Camp Counselor, Secondary School Student (High School), Teacher, Au Pair, College & University Student, Professor & Research Scholar, Short-Term Scholar, Specialists, Physicians, Government Visitors, and International Visitors.

Why support the J-1 visa?

J-1 exchanges support U.S. National Security.

• J-1 exchanges help the U.S. Engage with countries key to U.S. interests.
• J-1 exchanges target demographics key to U.S. foreign policy priorities:
• 83% of participants are under 30.
• 31% are 21 or under.
• 53% are women or girls.

Key Program Regulation

The U.S. introduced the J-1 program under the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act (Fulbright–Hays Act of 1961), which states:

The purpose of this chapter is to enable the Government of the United States to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchange; to strengthen the ties which unite us with other nations by demonstrating the educational and cultural interests, developments, and achievements of the people of the United States and other nations, and the contributions being made toward a peaceful and more fruitful life for people throughout the world; to promote international cooperation for educational and cultural advancement; and thus to assist in the development of friendly, sympathetic, and peaceful relations between the United States and the other countries of the world.

J-1 VISA OVERVIEW

PRESENTED BY

Cultural Exchange Network (CENET)