VISA GUIDE

Your guide for obtaining a J-1 visa

from the U.S. government

2018-19
 January 2018
Copyright ©2018 The Center for International Education, Inc.
All rights reserved. No part of these materials may be reproduced in any form without written
permission of the copyright owners.

© 2018 THE CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION 2

 TABLE OF CONTENTS

Applying for and obtaining your J-1 visa ������������������������������������������ 4-10

How will I receive my J-1 visa?�������������������������������������������������������������� 11

How do I enter the United States and obtain J-1 status?�������������������������� 11

How do I bring my family with me?�������������������������������������������������������13

Can I work a part-time or secondary job

while I am in the United States in J-1 status?����������������������������������������� 15

How do I travel with my J-1 visa?���������������������������������������������������������� 16

Helpful websites���������������������������������������������������������������������������������� 17

Participate contact information����������������������������������������������������������� 18

© 2018 THE CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION 3

 APPLYING FOR AND OBTAINING YOUR J-1 VISA

After receiving your visa packet with your Form DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility), you should familiarize yourself
with this visa guide. Then enter the website of your home country U.S. Embassy or Consulate. (See link at the end of
this document.) Follow these steps:

1. Complete the embassy nonimmigrant application Form DS-160 for yourself and a separate
application for each family member.
2. Pay the visa processing fee.
3. Pay the SEVIS fee.
4. Schedule a visa interview on your embassy/consulate website. (A separate appointment
is sometimes needed for fingerprinting.)
5. Attend the interview.
6. Notify your International Admissions Specialist of your appointment date.

A Form DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility for J-1 Exchange Visitor Status is issued through SEVIS (Student Exchange
Visitor Information System), a U.S. government internet-based system that maintains accurate and current
information on J-1 exchange visitors and their dependents.

You must pay a U.S. $180 SEVIS fee at least three business days before applying for your visa. The SEVIS fee is also
required of Canadians at least three business days prior to entry into the United States. Specific details on how to pay
the SEVIS fee are in this guide. Please note that many embassies now offer an online appointment system where you
first create a user name and password for access.

WHERE DO I APPLY FOR MY J-1 VISA?

You must apply with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country of citizenship or legal
permanent residence. Participate does not allow third-country visa processing because it is much more difficult to
qualify, and the risk of denial is much greater. You should note that if you are subject to a two-year home residency
requirement upon completion of your program, the location where you apply for your J-1 visa may affect the country
in which you must fulfill the home residency requirement. Please check with your International Admissions Specialist
or Visa Manager if you have questions.

A personal interview is required for all visa applicants. The waiting time for an interview appointment varies by
country, so you should schedule your interview as soon as you receive your DS-2019 form and have completed the DS-
160 and paid the fees. Specific application procedures vary at each embassy and change from time to time. You must
always review your embassy website for the latest information. Please see embassy link provided in your welcome
email as well as in this brochure. As part of the visa interview (or sometimes in a separate appointment), 10 ink-free
fingerprints and a digital photo will be taken. Some visa applicants will have to undergo additional screening and will
be notified of this when they apply. This additional screening may cause a delay in visa processing.

Any family members already approved by Participate to accompany you to the United States may apply for their J-2
visas and interview at the same time you interview for your J-1 visa. It is recommended that the entire family approved
by Participate apply and interview for visas together wherever possible.

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 WHAT DOCUMENTATION IS REQUIRED TO APPLY FOR MY J-1 VISA?

After receiving your visa packet with your Form DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility), you should familiarize yourself
with this visa guide. Then enter the website of your home country U.S. Embassy or Consulate. (See link at the end of
this document.) Follow these steps:

▸ Signed, original DS-2019 form

▸ Fully completed electronic Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form DS-160
▸ Payment of visa application fee of U.S. $160 per visa applicant (This fee is nonrefundable. Check instructions
for the method of payment required for your country.)
▸ Receipt for payment of U.S. $180 SEVIS fee
▸ .Payment of visa issuance fee or reciprocity fee, if applicable (To determine if your country of citizenship
requires a reciprocity fee, see link at the end of this document.)
▸ .Photograph(s) (For required photo format, please check your embassy website. You will have an opportunity
to upload a digital photograph as part of completing Form DS-160.)
▸ .Passport valid for travel to the United States with a validity date of at least six months beyond stay in the
United States (The name on your DS-2019 form must match the name on your passport)

Note: It is important that you review the website of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for your country for the
most current information as the specific process varies for each embassy and changes from time to time.
Fees are subject to change.

You must prove to the consular officer that you have binding ties to a residence in your home country that you do
not intend to abandon. You can prove this by providing evidence of strong and binding social, family and economic
ties to your home country. Under U.S. immigration law, all nonimmigrant visa applicants are viewed as intending
to immigrate to the United States unless the applicant can convince a consular officer to the contrary. “Ties” to your
home country are the things that bind you to your homeland: job, family, financial prospects, property, etc. Examples
of evidence that may be used include bank statements for three to six months; statements from retirement/pension/
investment accounts; deed/title to property, land or house; title to personal vehicle; lease documentation; tax
documentation showing payment in home country for three years; inheritance documentation; licenses from family-
owned businesses; birth certificates or resident permits of immediate family members remaining in home country;
letter from previous employer indicating intent to rehire upon return to the home country; paystub from previous or
current employer; etc. This list is not exhaustive and will vary depending on your individual circumstances.

▸ .Legal spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 may accompany the J-1 for the duration of his
or her stay. Only dependents that intend to live with the J-1 in the United States during the duration of the
program are eligible to apply through Participate.
▸ .For each family member who will apply for a J-2 visa, proof that he or she is a legal spouse or natural or
legally adopted child is required.
▸ You must also demonstrate that you have sufficient financial resources to cover all U.S. living expenses for
any J-2 dependent. Spouses and children of the J-1 cannot enter the United States before the J-1.
▸ .Spouses or children who do not intend to reside in the United States with the J-1, but only intend to visit for
vacations, may be eligible to apply for a B-2 visitor’s visa or, if qualified, travel without a visa under the Visa
Waiver Program.

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 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Please refer to this list of frequently asked questions when you are completing the visa application. Note that you must
complete a new application for each J-2 application dependent. After completing your own DS-160 form, you will be
given the option to complete a family form with pre-populated items from your own form.

Make a note of your DS-160 application ID number. The information is automatically saved as you complete each page.
In the event your session is timed out, you may have to retrieve the application by using the ID number.

Surname?
The last name of the visa applicant must be entered here exactly as it appears in your passport.

National identification number?

Some countries issue national identity cards. If your country issues such a card, enter the national identification
number exactly as it appears on the card. Otherwise, enter “Not Applicable.” However, you must always enter your
passport number.

Home address?
Because nonimmigrants must maintain a residence outside of the United States, you must list a foreign address for
this question. It must be a residence and not “in care of” an employer.

Home telephone number/business telephone number/cell number?

The home telephone number that corresponds with your home address must be listed as well as your cell phone
number, business telephone number and business fax number.

What is the purpose of your trip?

You are here as an exchange visitor teacher. Enter “Exchange Visitor (J)” and specify spouse and/or child for any J-2
dependents accompanying you.

When do you intend to arrive in the United States?

Enter your program start date. This is the date listed in Section 3 of your DS-2019 form.

How long do you intend to stay in the United States?

Your stay is temporary, not to exceed the duration as listed on your DS-2019 form.

At what address will you stay in the United States?

You may enter 201 Sage Road, Suite 200, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, 27514, which is the address of your sponsor, if you
have not yet secured an apartment.

Name and telephone numbers of person in United States with whom you will be staying or visiting for
tourism or business?
You are not a tourist, nor are you coming to the United States for business purposes. You are coming to the United
States with a J-1 visa as a cultural exchange visitor. To answer this question, please write the full name of your
sponsoring organization, Center for International Education, Inc., for the name. To fill the space for each of the
telephone numbers requested, enter the company telephone number: 919-967-5144.

Who will pay for your trip?

The Center for International Education, Inc. is paying for your trip.

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 What is the relationship to you of the person paying for your trip?
Please choose “Other” as the Center for International Education, Inc. is your sponsor.

Are you traveling as part of a group or organization?

No, you are not. However, you must add all family members traveling with you in this section.

Have you ever been in the United States?

Indicate whether you have ever been in the United States, including the dates and duration of any previous visits (with
or without a visa).

Have you ever been issued a U.S. visa?

You must enter yes if you have ever been issued any type of visa to enter the United States, even if you never used that
visa to travel. If a U.S. visa was issued to you at any time in the past, check yes and include information on the location
of the embassy that issued you the visa, the date the visa was issued and the type of visa issued. (For example, visitor
visas are B visas.)

Have you ever been refused a U.S. visa?

You must answer yes if you have ever been refused or denied any type of U.S. visa at any time in the past. If the answer
is no, check no and leave the other parts blank. If visa issuance was ever refused or denied, check yes and include
information on the location of the embassy that refused to issue the visa, the date the visa issuance was refused and
the type of visa refused. If a previous visa application has been denied, you must explain the circumstances to the
embassy or consulate where you are applying for a new visa. Prepare a letter to the embassy to attach to your visa
application describing the facts and circumstances regarding the visa denial. Usually when a visa application is
denied, the passport has a stamp on the last page with a notation that a visa application was received by the embassy/
consulate on a specified date. This stamp records the date of denial for immigration officials reviewing the passport.
Please answer this honestly and accurately as the embassy has an electronic record of any and all visa applications that
have been submitted.

Has your U.S. visa ever been cancelled or revoked?

If a consular officer has ever written “REVOKED” or “CANCELLED” across the face of any type of visa for which you
were issued, you must check yes. You should write a letter to the consular officer and attach it to your visa application,
explaining the circumstances regarding the visa cancellation or revocation.

Full name and address of contact person or organization in the United States?
In this item, enter your J-1 sponsor, the Center for International Education, Inc., 201 Sage Road, Suite 200, Chapel Hill,
North Carolina, 27514. Telephone: 919-967-5144.

Family information: relatives?

If you have a relative living in the United States, then you must indicate his or her full name, date of birth and status.

Family information: children?

You may list all unmarried children under the age of 21 who are not living in the United States. If your children are not
accompanying you to the United States initially, if there is a chance that they may accompany you in the future, it is
appropriate that you indicate at this time that they may join you later in the United States.

Work experience – present /previous?

These items ask for information regarding the last four jobs held by the visa applicant. For each position, enter the
job title, dates of employment, employer’s name/address/telephone number and description of your job duties. If you
changed positions with the same employer several times, each job should be a separate entry.

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 List at least two contacts in applicant’s country of residence who can verify information about applicant?
Enter the full names of at least two people residing in your country of residence who can verify information about
you. Enter a street address and telephone number for each individual listed. A postal box number is not acceptable.
Relatives of the applicant cannot be listed as contacts. Close friends or business associates are recommended.

Do you intend to study in the United States?

You are not coming to the United States as a student but as a teacher. If you take any educational courses, this will be
incidental to your J-1 status as a teacher.

SPECIAL NOTES:
▸ .All items must be completed. If the question does not apply to you, enter “Not Applicable.”
▸ Each visa application form should be signed and dated. Your signature certifies that all of the information is
accurate and true to the best of your knowledge and belief.
▸ .You must answer all questions truthfully and accurately. Your responses will be verified by the consular
officer.
▸ What do I do if I need to correct an error after submission of the DS-160?
▸ If you made a mistake answering the question about GENDER OR PURPOSE OF TRAVEL, you need to
fill out a new DS-160 form and print the new confirmation page.
▸ If you made a mistake answering the question about biographical data such as: passport number,
names, addresses or phone numbers, you can correct the information yourself in the form. If you
cannot make the correction in the form, on the day of the interview you should inform the person
receiving your documents about the mistake.
▸ If you made a mistake answering the questions about your family, education, travel or any security-
related question, you must complete a new DS-160 form and print a new confirmation page.
▸ Please do not miss your appointment due to an error found in your application.

Please visit the U.S. Embassy website for your country for specific instructions on how to pay the fee in your country.

The U.S. government requires all international students and exchange visitors to pay a U.S. $180 SEVIS fee that will
be used to administer and maintain SEVIS. SEVIS is an automated system for collecting, maintaining and managing
information about exchange visitors during their entry to, stay in and exit from the United States and will track the
payment of the SEVIS fee. J-2 dependents are not required to pay a SEVIS fee.

▸ .Exchange visitors who require a visa to enter the United States must pay this SEVIS fee three business days
before going to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for their visa interview.
▸ .Canadian citizens applying for J-1 status at a port of entry into the United States must pay and process the
SEVIS fee three business days before appearing at the port of entry.
▸ .Participate teachers who require a visa to enter the United States need to pay the U.S. $180 SEVIS fee in
addition to the U.S. $160 visa application fee and other visa issuance fees. Canadians need to pay only the
U.S. $180 SEVIS fee. Each exchange visitor is responsible for paying these fees prior to entry into the United
States to begin teaching with Participate.

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 SEVIS FEE INSTRUCTIONS:

Ready to pay your SEVIS fee? Let’s get started! Please review the following instructions carefully.

You should pay the U.S. $180 SEVIS fee online with a credit card. In this section, we will provide detailed instructions.
(If you are not able to pay by credit card online, please notify your International Admissions Specialist immediately.)

Remember, you must pay the SEVIS fee at least three business days before your visa interview, or, for Canadian
citizens, three business days before you arrive at a U.S. port of entry.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

▸ Using the internet, go to the SEVIS I-901 fee website at https://www.fmjfee.com/.

▸ Click on the link, “Pay I-901 Fee.”
▸ .Enter your SEVIS number from the top right corner of your DS-2019 form. The SEVIS identification number
starts with “N” followed by the numbers.
▸ .Enter your name and date of birth as it appears on your DS-2019 form. If the information on your DS-2019
form is NOT correct, do not pay the fee. Contact your International Admissions Specialist immediately.
▸ You will be asked to select DS-2019 form for J-1 exchange visitor.
▸ .Enter your email address, country of citizenship, country of birth and your home address information.

▸ Exchange Visitor Program Information

▸ Locate the Program Number from Section 2 of your DS-2019 form.
▸ Select category “Teacher” from the dropdown menu.

▸ Click “AGREE” and continue.

▸ Verify carefully that all information is accurate on the Form I-901 review page.

▸ Make the payment and provide all required credit card information. Verify the information and then
submit for processing. The system will process your information and will approve your credit card payment.
Your card will be charged a fee of U.S. $180, and you will receive a confirmation.

▸ Print out your Confirmation Sheet with the Student and Exchange Visitor Program: SEVIS I-901 Fee. This
is your receipt, which you will take with you to your visa interview and when applying for admission at a
U.S. port of entry. We recommend printing out several copies of this receipt and writing down the reference
number that will appear on your screen after your payment has been processed.

This fee is nonrefundable, not reimbursable and nontransferable. Verify all information carefully before
you submit your payment. The information in your passport and DS-2019 form must match the information
submitted on the online I-901 form. If you complete this form incorrectly, you must submit another
application and pay another U.S. $180.

Refer to specific instructions for your country on your embassy website. Most websites will require you to
create a unique user ID and password and log in to the system in order to schedule your appointment.

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 You have done everything else and now you just have your visa interview remaining. Following is a list of suggestions
and reminders as you prepare for your visa interview. Please read them carefully.

▸ Truthfulness. You should answer all questions on your visa applications and any question that the consular
officer asks you completely and truthfully. Misrepresentations or falsification of information can lead to a
permanent ban from entering the United States.

▸ Be brief and to the point. Because of the high number of applications received, consular officers are under
considerable pressure to conduct a quick and efficient interview. They must make a decision, for the most
part, on the impressions they form during the first minute of the interview. The initial impression you create
is critical to your success. Keep your answers short and to the point.

▸ Maintain a positive attitude. Do not argue with the consular officer. You should be polite, but assertive, at all
times. If you are denied a J-1 visa, ask the officer for a list of documents he/she would suggest you bring to
overcome the refusal. Also try to get the reason(s) you were denied a visa in writing.

▸ .Know Participate and how it fits into your career plans. If you can articulate the reasons that you want to
take part in the program and how your participation in this program will benefit you professionally upon
your return to your home country, you will most likely be able to convince the consular officer of your
nonimmigrant intent. You must be able to explain Participate, the processes you undertook to become part
of Participate and a brief description of Participate as an exchange visitor program.

▸ .Prove ties to your home country. Under U.S. law, all applicants for nonimmigrant visas, such as the J-1 visa,
are viewed as intending immigrants until they can convince or persuade the consular officer that they
are not. You must show that your reasons for returning to your home country are stronger than those for
remaining in the United States. “Ties” to your home country are the things that bind you to your hometown,
homeland, job, family, financial prospects that you own or will inherit, or investments. A letter from your
previous employer indicating their intent to rehire you upon your return to your home country is an
example of good evidence.

▸ Financial resources. If you intend to bring your family with you to the United States, be prepared to have
evidence to show financial resources available for your family members’ support in the United States. This
can include bank statements, investments or title to property. Note that you are financially responsible for
your dependents.

▸ Additional documentation. It should be immediately clear to the consular officer what written documents
you are presenting and what they signify. Lengthy written explanations cannot be quickly read or evaluated.
You will have two to three minutes of interview time, and you must have your evidence organized and
clearly labeled.

Congratulations! You have paid your SEVIS fee, completed your visa application and aced your visa interview! You are
on your way to teaching and living in the United States!

Remember to notify your International Admissions Specialist of visa approval. If your visa is denied you must also
immediately inform Participate.

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 HOW WILL I RECEIVE MY J-1 VISA?

The method of returning your passport and visa varies from country to country. Most embassies will mail you the visa
by special courier three to seven days after approval. Please request the fastest method of delivery. Make sure that the
embassy returns your passport, your J-1 visa (which says J-1 and is affixed in your passport) and your original DS-2019
form. Some embassies will put the DS-2019 form in a sealed envelope (which should not be opened) or staple the
original form in the passport.

Most likely you will receive a visa that is valid for international travel for the length of your participation. If your visa
has a limited number of entries or an expiration date that is earlier than the program end date on your DS-2019, you
can still come to the United States to begin your program but may need to renew your visa in your home country for
further international travel. If this happens to you, please notify your International Admissions Specialist.

HOW DO I ENTER THE UNITED STATES AND OBTAIN J-1 STATUS?

Soon you will be on your way to your new school in the United States. When you begin your journey, please remember
the following:

Entering the United States: Upon arrival, you must present to the customs and border protection officer (CBP officer)
three key documents: your DS-2019 form, valid passport and valid J-1 visa affixed to passport. (Note: Canadian citizens
are not required to obtain a visa for travel to the border. See section below for additional information.)
Inform the CBP officer that you are a newly arriving exchange visitor and answer all of his or her questions clearly and
accurately. You will be asked to provide two electronic fingerprints and a photograph as part of the US-VISIT program.
If you enter via air or seaports, you will no longer be given an I-94 card that you may have received in the past. Your
I-94 record now appears electronically and Participate will assist you in printing your record at orientation.

Remember to keep the following additional documents in your carry-on luggage or other accessible location in case
the CBP officer requests additional information:

▸ Contact information for Participate

▸ The paper receipt for your SEVIS fee
▸ .A copy of your educator agreement and banking statements or other evidence of financial resources in
addition to the teaching salary indicated on your DS-2019 (particularly if you are traveling with dependents
and were required to present financial evidence at your visa interview)

Leaving the port of entry: The CBP officer will annotate the DS-2019 form and return it to you. Do not leave the port of
entry without the original DS-2019 form.

Your passport will be stamped with the date of your admission to the United States, your visa status and the period of
authorized stay. The period of stay is usually indicated as “D/S,” meaning that you are authorized to stay in the United
States for the duration of your participation with Participate as indicated in SEVIS. Please do not leave the CBP officer
until you review your information carefully to verify that you have been granted the correct status and period of
authorized stay.

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 IMPORTANT: Your I-94 print-out (You will learn how to print at orientation.), DS-2019 form and valid
passport with J-1 visa are the key documents that document your lawful status in the United States. You
should keep the documents in a secure and accessible location during your stay, and we recommend that you
at the very least keep copies with you at all times. Your accompanying family members should do the same.

Additional inspection procedures: Even though a J-1 visa authorizes you to travel to the U.S. border to seek admission,
a CBP officer must determine your admissibility by reviewing your documents and the purpose of your travel. In
certain circumstances, a CBP officer may require additional procedures to verify that all requirements for admissibility
have been met.

You may be directed to an interview area to allow time for additional questions or document review without delay of
other travelers. If this procedure, known as a secondary inspection, occurs, remember to be patient and continue to
provide clear and accurate answers. Keep Participate’s phone number with you so that the Participate Visa Specialist
may be contacted to assist with any further questions about your documents.

A deferred inspection occurs when a CBP officer grants you a temporary entry to travel to your destination but
requires you to appear in person at a local USCIS office to resolve any remaining questions about your admissibility. If
this occurs, send an email as soon as possible to the Participate Visa Specialist at visaservices@participate.com.

If you arrive at a U.S. border without your DS-2019 or other required travel documents, you may either be sent home
or possibly given temporary entry with a form I-515A. You will then be directed to submit additional documents by
mail to SEVIS in Washington, D.C. within 30 days. Failure to complete these instructions within the time required
will result in the end of your J-1 status, and you will no longer be authorized to remain in the United States. Contact
the Participate Visa Specialist at visaservices@participate.com with questions about the Form I-515A. You should
always travel with your documents. Please keep in mind the border officers can refuse your entry if you do not
have the proper documents.

Canadian Citizens: If you are a Canadian citizen, you do not need a visa for travel to the border. Instead, you must
present yourself at a land crossing point or international airport with your DS-2019 and a valid passport. You should
also bring your paper receipt showing payment of your SEVIS fee and the additional documentation showing your
admissibility in J-1 status as described above. If you enter at a land crossing point, you will still receive a paper I-94
card.

Please note: You are not allowed to enter the United States more than 30 days before or after the Program start date
listed on your Form DS-2019.

OBIM – BIOMETRIC IDENTIFICATION SERVICES

The Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM) supports the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s
responsibility to protect the nation by providing biometric identification services that help federal, state and local
government decision makers accurately identify the people they encounter and determine whether those people pose
a risk to the United States. OBIM supplies the technology for collecting and storing biometric data, provides analysis,
updates its watch list and ensures the integrity of the data. Upon entry to the United States, a CBP officer will review
your travel documents and ask you questions about your stay in the United States.

If you leave the United States by land, you should give the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) Form I-94
to your airline representative at the last U.S. airport from which you will be departing. A USCIS Form I-94 that has been
approved by a USCIS inspector can prove that you arrived in the country legally and that you have not stayed beyond
the period of stay authorized.

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 HOW DO I BRING MY FAMILY WITH ME?

As a designated sponsor of an exchange teacher program, Participate is permitted also to sponsor a teacher’s legal
spouse or unmarried natural or legally adopted children under the age of 21, for the purpose of allowing the family
unit to share the U.S. cultural exchange experience. Each accompanying family member must receive his or her own
DS-2019 from Participate to apply for the J-2 visa. Participate is not able to issue a DS-2019 for a J-2 until the teacher has
demonstrated that all program requirements for J-2 sponsorship, including the ability to maintain financial support,
have been met.

A spouse or child who does not intend to reside in the United States with the J-1 teacher, but instead wishes to visit for
vacations, should contact the U.S. Embassy in the home country for information on travel to the United States on a
visitor’s visa (B-2) or under the Visa Waiver Program.

The J-2 dependent will have his or her own valid passport, J-2 visa and original copy of a DS-2019. Upon initial
admission to the United States, the immigration inspector will annotate the J-2’s DS-2019 and return it to the
dependent. This will be the process even if the dependent enters separately from the teacher. The dependent should
not leave the port of entry without the original DS-2019 form. Please note that the J-2 dependent cannot enter the
United States before the J-1 visa holder. The dependent should keep the original form in his or her possession, together
with the J-2 visa, passport and I-94 print-out. Each J-2 dependent must print an electronic I-94 card. If for any reason
the J-1 teacher’s program participation ends, then a J-2 dependent will also be required to depart the United States at
that time.

You should have identified your spouse or child during the application process and indicated whether the person
would remain in your home country or come to the United States with you. Participate screened not only you but also
your accompanying dependents for visa sponsorship.
*Same-sex marriages are recognized for immigration purposes as long as the marriage is legal in the “place of
celebration” (U.S. state or foreign country where it took place). A marriage certificate may be requested at the time of
application.

Note that you must notify Participate if your dependent departs the United States and does not intend to
return. The dependent visa must be ended at that time.

Just as Participate teachers undergo a visa interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consular Office, so do J-2 dependents.

▸ They must offer proof of the following:

▸ . Binding ties to a residence in a foreign country that they have no intention of abandoning and that they are
coming to the United States for a temporary period;
▸ Any spouse is legally married to the teacher, and any child is a natural or legally adopted child of the teacher;
▸ J-1 teacher will maintain J-1 status;
▸ The J-1 teacher has sufficient money to cover all expenses in the United States; and
▸ The J-1 teacher will maintain required insurance for each sponsored individual.

The level of evidence required by a consular officer may vary depending upon an applicant’s individual circumstances.
Applicants seeking to bring multiple dependents to the United States will be unable to rely on those family members
as evidence of binding ties to the home country and should be able to present evidence of significant financial
resources in addition to the expected U.S. salary.

© 2018 THE CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION 13

 Participate will not sponsor teachers or dependents determined to be ineligible for the visa or unlikely to obtain visa
approval.

Dependents who receive a J-2 dependent form are expected to apply for the J-2 visa and travel to the United States. If
the dependent to be sponsored is not traveling with the teacher at the beginning of the initial term, the J-1 teacher is
responsible for requesting the J-2 dependent form prior to the intended travel date. Teachers should request the DS-
2019 form by contacting their Adviser well in advance of the planned travel date. DS-2019 forms are released twice a
year — at the end of November and May.

Participate expects that applicants identify, at the application stage of the process, all family members who could
accompany a teacher during the course of his or her stay in the United States. Current Participate teachers who wish
to be accompanied by a family member who was not initially expected to accompany the Participate teacher to the
United States may request that Participate sponsor the individual for the remaining period of the teacher’s program.
Participate will review J-2 sponsorship applications twice a year — in November and May. Teachers should contact
Teacher Resources well in advance of these deadlines for details on application requirements. The J-2 dependent will
still interview with a U.S. consular officer.

In addition to the above evidence, a Participate teacher seeking to add a new dependent should be able to demonstrate
financial stability, that he or she is progressing successfully in his or her exchange teaching position and that the
presence of the dependent will not present a likelihood of financial difficulties or otherwise hinder the exchange
teacher from successfully completing his or her exchange teaching program.

Participate reserves its authority to decline to sponsor additional dependents in appropriate cases. Requests from
initial term teachers, teachers nearing completion of their program, teachers seeking to bring multiple dependents
without sufficient evidence of financial support and teachers who have failed to identify family members who could
have been identified at the application stage are subject to denial.

Following Participate’s determination that it will sponsor an additional dependent, Participate will issue a J-2
dependent form to the dependent to be sponsored.

Requests to add dependents

should be sent to the Participate Visa Specialist at
visaservices@participate.com.

Participate’s issuance of a DS-2019 form does not entitle a J-2 dependent to obtain a visa or enter the United States. It
is the responsibility of the form holder to apply for a visa and seek entry into the United States, in accordance with the
requirements of the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). Participate is
not able to assist applicants for J-2 visas in demonstrating nonimmigrant intent to a U.S. consular officer or in taking
any other steps that may be necessary to obtain visa approval and entry into the United States.

J-2 dependents with a DS-2019 form must promptly obtain a visa and enter the United States in J-2 status to
accompany the Participate teacher. Otherwise, Participate reserves its authority to withdraw or cancel sponsorship.
All J-2 dependents must immediately return their DS-2019 to the Visa Specialist upon request or upon failure to enter
the United States as planned. Please note that you will be required to begin paying additional premiums for J-2 health
coverage when the DS-2019 for the J-2 is issued. These premiums are not refundable if the J-2 has a visa denial or
decides not to travel to the United States. You should notify Participate as quickly as possible to avoid unnecessary
expense of the J-2 that will not travel to the United States.

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 A J-2 visa does not entitle the visa holder to work in the United States. The J-2 visa holder must apply for work
authorization with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and may not work unless he or she has received
approved authorization from USCIS. The income earned from any employment is not for supporting the J-1 teacher
and is intended to cover only the family’s recreational and cultural activities or travel. Participate does not assist in
obtaining work authorization for J-2 dependents, but details on how to obtain work authorization can be found in your
Teacher Resource Guide after your arrival to the United States.

Participate recommends that any family members planning to pursue a university degree consider obtaining the
appropriate education visa through their university. The J-2 dependent visa remains valid only while the J-1 teacher
remains an active participant with Participate and requirements for J-2 sponsorship are met. Thus, if the J-1’s
participation ends, then the J-2 dependent will no longer be able to maintain J-2 status and may not be able to complete
his or her studies unless another legal status is obtained.

The J-2 is a dependent visa. It is valid only while the J-1 teacher is maintaining lawful J-1 status and the required family
relationship exists. The J-2 visa will terminate when the J-1 teacher completes his or her program unless terminated
sooner. The J-2 visa status of children who reach the age of 21 or marry will terminate automatically through SEVIS.
Similarly, J-2 visa status will terminate if a legal divorce from the J-1 teacher is finalized. J-1 teachers must immediately
notify Participate of a divorce from a spouse, the marriage of a child or a J-2 dependent who has returned to reside in
the home country, so that Participate will be able to provide notification of the status change through SEVIS. The J-1
visa holder is responsible for informing Participate of any address change for a J-2 dependent.

Participate reserves the right to discontinue sponsorship in appropriate cases and at its discretion. Upon termination
of J-1 status, any family members who accompanied the teacher in J-2 status must return to the home country
immediately or within 30 days of the “grace period” provided by USCIS. The completion or termination of the J-1’s
program will immediately terminate any accompanying family member’s J-2 visa status, and the family member will
not be authorized to continue work or study in J-2 status.

CAN I WORK A PART-TIME OR SECONDARY JOB WHILE I AM IN THE

UNITED STATES IN J-1 STATUS?

All part-time or secondary jobs held by a teacher must be approved by Participate in writing in advance of beginning
work at any additional position. Teachers in J-1 status can work only in teaching-related positions at or through
an accredited primary or secondary school (grades K–12). Examples of acceptable part-time or secondary positions
would include teaching summer school at a primary, middle or high school; teaching at an afterschool program at a
primary or secondary school; or teaching at a program run through a primary or secondary school or school district.
In contrast, however, teaching at a community college, university, learning center or ESL program run by any
other organization other than a primary or secondary school, is not allowed under J-1 regulations and is
considered unauthorized employment. An exchange visitor who engages in unauthorized employment is in
violation of his or her program status and is subject to termination of his or her J-1 status.

To request approval of a part-time position, please email the Visa Specialist. This email should include the job title,
job duties, full name and address of the employer, contact name and telephone number of the employer, location
of additional teaching and dates of the part-time employment. Please note that the dates allowed for the part-time
position cannot extend beyond the dates of validity as listed on the SEVIS DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility form.

© 2018 THE CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION 15

 If the secondary job is approved, and if the job is not within your current school, a second site of activity will be entered
in SEVIS and you will receive an authorization form. Give this authorization form, along with a copy of the DS-2019
form, to the part-time employer. Keep a copy of the authorization form for your records.

HOW DO I TRAVEL WITH MY J-1 VISA?

Any time you travel internationally, you and your dependents need three documents in order to re-enter the United
States:

▸ Original DS-2019 Form with updated, signed travel validation

▸ Valid J visa
▸ Valid passport
▸ Canadian citizens need an original DS-2019 form with updated, signed travel validation, valid passport and
picture ID.

Before traveling internationally, please be sure to have the travel validation section of your DS-2019 form updated, and
also ensure that your visa will not have expired. Teachers who receive a program extension or who were issued a visa
of less than three years validity may need to apply for a new visa with the U.S. Embassy in the home country.

You must print a new I-94 card each time you enter the United States. You will learn how to do this in orientation.

▸ .Do not engage in any employment outside of your teaching assignment at school, unless you have been
authorized by Participate to do so in advance in writing. Unauthorized additional employment is a very
serious violation of your J-1 visa status and is grounds for termination of your visa status.

▸ .Maintain required health coverage and financial support for all J-2 dependents at all times.

▸ Teach enthusiastically and to the best of your abilities, and respond positively to any feedback about your
teaching methods.

▸ .Submit any changes of current address or legal name to Participate within five days of the change.

▸ .Keep your DS-2019 form in a safe place at all times, become familiar with the terms of your J-1 visa as listed
on the DS-2019 form and always take it with you when traveling outside of the United States. Maintain a
current travel validation on your DS-2019 form so it will be valid for international travel.

▸ Do not attempt to stay in the United States beyond the length of your cultural exchange program. Make
plans to return to your home country to complete the exchange part of the J-1 cultural exchange visitor visa.

▸ Report to Participate any significant problems that arise with your participation.

▸ Carefully review all correspondence.

▸ Regularly check the Participate website for updates and urgent notices.

▸ Do not allow your dependent(s) to work without a valid employment authorization card

© 2018 THE CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION 16

 HELPFUL WEBSITES

Exchange visitor welcome brochure:

https://j1visa.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Brochure-The-Exchange-Visitor-Program.pdf

U.S. Embassy locator:

https://www.usembassy.gov/

Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form DS-160:

https://ceac.state.gov/GenNIV/Default.aspx

Photo format information:

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos.html

Reciprocity fee (if applicable):

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country.html

SEVIS I-901 fee:

https://fmjfee.com/

Rights and protections pamphlet (Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Act):

https://j1visa.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Wilberforce_Pamphlet_October2016.pdf

OBIM Biometric Identification Services:

https://www.dhs.gov/obim

CBS website for printing of electronic I-94 record:

https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home

© 2018 THE CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION 17

 PARTICIPATE CONTACT INFORMATION

ADDRESS:
Participate
201 Sage Road
Suite 200
Chapel Hill, NC 27514

EMAIL:
Email your questions/concerns to visaservices@participate.com or to your International Admissions Specialist.
If you are denied your visa, please notify your International Admissions Specialist immediately.

UPDATES:
Participate makes every effort to include information that is current and accurate at the time this booklet is printed.
Please remember that visa regulations and Participate procedures are updated from time to time. Check the
appropriate website for the latest information.

© 2018 THE CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION 18