J Visa

What is a J-1 Exchange Visitor?

A J-1 is a foreign national who does not intend to abandon foreign residence and who is entering the US as a professor or research scholar, short-term scholar, trainee, au pairs, college or university student, teacher, among others.

Who is in charge of establishing or regulating these programs within the US Dept. of Homeland Security?

Because the intent of J-1s exchange programs is to foster better foreign relations and an understanding of US culture, the Dept. of State is mainly in charge of regulating the exchange programs with support ICE and USCIS. J Visas are a very popular visa category whose main goal is to create good will, promote US culture, and the exchange of ideas. J-1 exchange visitors are subject to many of the same immigration requirements as F-1 foreign students. Perhaps the best-known difference is that most exchange programs require participants to return home or to their country of last residence for two years.

J-1 spouses and children living and working in the US

J-1 spouses and dependents under 21 can live in the U.S. during the same period of time the applicant has a job. J-2 spouses and children can work under certain conditions. J category individuals can bring domestic help under certaim conditions.

To learn if a J Visa is right for you or you have J Visa program questions, please contact Immigration Lawyer Maria M. Cordon to schedule an immigration consultation.

Q International Cultural Exchange Programs

Q-1 visas, also known as the Disney visas for being the perfect example of this type of visa, were established so foreign nationals could share their culture at schools, museums, businesses or other establishment for the benefit of the American public or a segment of the public sharing a common cultural interest.

Some residents in Northern Ireland can enter the US in Q-2 visas for 36 months to participate in cultural and training programs to experience employment, training, what it is like to live in a diverse society. Although other countries face the same issues, to date the Q-2 visa category has not been expanded to include other foreign nationals.

How can we help you?

We advise foreign nationals about the advantages and disadvantages of obtaining a J visa or changing into J status. We also review J programs to determine if they would subject the individual to the 2-year home residency requirement and help those who have been made subject to the 2-year home residency requirement in error or in obtaining waivers. While we assist qualifying foreign medical doctors to obtain H-1B status directly, we do not assist J-1 foreign medical graduates who received their training in the US in obtaining waivers from the two-year home residency requirement.

We consult with Q-1 sponsors regarding their interest in sponsoring Q beneficiaries. We identify the strengths and weaknesses in the case and assist in preparing the documentation to be submitted to USCIS and reviewing supporting documentation. We also assist approved program participants in obtaining a visa.

To learn if a J Visa or Q Visa is right for you, please contact Immigration Lawyer Maria M. Cordon to schedule an immigration consultation.