J Visas

From the Department of State Website: http://j1visa.state.gov/sponsors/current/regulations-compliance/ and USCIS: www.uscis.gov

The U.S. Department of State designates U.S. organizations such as government agencies, academic institutions, educational and cultural organizations, and corporations to administer exchange visitor programs. Kenyon College is a designated J visa/exchange visitor program sponsor meaning that we have applied for and have met the citizenship, financial, experiential, and program size (at least five J visitors per calendar year) requirements.  The J-1 classification is authorized for those who intend to participate in Kenyon’s approved program for the purpose of teaching, instructing or lecturing, studying, observing, conducting research, consulting, demonstrating special skills, receiving training (or to receive graduate medical education or training).  When accepted into Kenyon’s exchange visitor program, the nonimmigrant will be enrolled in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).  Most J-1 Exchange Visitors must pay the SEVIS I-901 Fee.

Requirements:

The first step in beginning the J status visa process is for the Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO) at Kenyon to provide the prospective exchange visitor a DS 2019 form (See Forms 4.1).

The prospective exchange visitor must then complete the DS-160 online Nonimmigrant Visa Application.  Forms the applicant will need at hand to complete the DS-160 include:

• Passport
• Travel itinerary, if travel arrangements have been made.
• Dates of last five visits or trips to the United States, if applicable. The applicant may also be asked for international travel history for the past five years. 
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae for current and previous education and work history. 
• Other Information - Some applicants, depending on the intended purpose of travel, will be asked to provide additional information including SEVIS ID, Kenyon’s physical address, a copy of the I-129 if applicable, a digital photo with the following requirements: a minimum 600x600 pixels, with a maximum 1200x1200 pixels; Color with 24 bits per pixel; .jpeg format; less than or equal to 240 KB; Compression ratio less than or equal to 20:1; Sized so that the head is between 1” – 1 3/8”; Taken within the previous 6 months; Taken in front of a plain white, or off white background; Taken in full face view; Taken with a neutral facial expression with eyes open; Taken in clothing normally worn on a daily basis.

Form DS-160 is submitted electronically to the Department of State Website.  Once submitted, applicants must print and retain the DS-160 confirmation barcode page.  Consular Officers use the information entered on the DS-160 to process the visa application and, combined with a personal interview, determine an applicant’s eligibility for a nonimmigrant visa.

Personal interviews are scheduled at the embassy or consulate at which the applicant wishes to apply.  A list of U.S. embassies and consulates are located at http://www.usembassy.gov, which also provides expected interview wait times and information to bring to the consulate.  While interviews are not required for applicants of certain ages, consular officers have the discretion to require an interview of any applicant, regardless of age.

Wait times for interview appointments vary by location, season, and visa category, so the applicant should apply for his/her visa early.

Two-year Home-country Physical Presence Requirement Conditions - An exchange visitor is subject to the two-year home country physical presence requirement if the following conditions exist:

• The program in which the exchange visitor was participating was financed in whole or in part directly or indirectly by the U.S. government or the government of the exchange visitor's nationality or last residence; (Kenyon College is included in this category)
• The exchange visitor entered the U.S. to receive graduate medical education or training;
• The exchange visitor is a national or permanent resident of a country which has deemed the field of specialized knowledge or skill necessary to the development of the country, as shown on the Exchange Visitor Skills List.

When an exchange visitor is subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement, he/she must return to his/her home country for a cumulative total period of at least two years before doing any of the following:

• Changing status while in the U.S. to the nonimmigrant categories of temporary worker (H) or intracompany transferee (L);
• Adjusting status while in the U.S. to immigrant visa/lawful permanent resident status (LPR);
• Receiving an immigrant visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate; or
• Receiving a temporary worker (H), intracompany transferee (L), or fiancé (K) visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

Waiver of Two Year Home-Country Physical Presence Requirement - If the J exchange visitor is not able to fulfill the home country presence requirement, he/she may be able to apply for a waiver if certain conditions are met.