International Students

CJ-1 Visa Questions & Answers

1. Why do I need a visa sponsor?

Sponsors help ensure that your training experience not only matches your education but that it also complies with U.S. Department of State regulations. Sponsors check whether you are qualified for training under the J-1 Visa, monitor your training, and provide you with important orientation materials about your host company, and the sponsor.

The Washington Center is designated by the U.S. Department of State as a sponsor and is authorized to issue and send to you the form DS-2019. You need this form in order to obtain the J-1 Trainee Visa, which allows you to be a trainee in the United States.

2. How long does it take to get the J-1 Visa?

The normal processing time at The Washington Center for J-1 Visa sponsorship applications is three to four weeks. However, the entire application process may take up to four months, depending on how quickly you provide The Washington Center with all necessary application materials and information.

When you have secured The Washington Center sponsorship, you need to apply for the J-1 Visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy in your home country. This process may take anywhere from one day to ten or more weeks, depending on the specific consulate or embassy where you apply. We recommend you submit to The Washington Center your application for J-1 Visa sponsorship well in advance of the desired start date of your training program to avoid possible delays. Please remember that securing sponsorship for the J-1 Visa does not guarantee that you will actually be granted the J-1 Visa by a U.S. consulate or embassy.

3. What is "SEVIS?"

On February 15, 2003, the Department of State introduced the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) in an effort to improve the tracking of J and F Visa holders during their stay in the U.S. When The Washington Center approves sponsorship for you, we will issue the DS-2019 Form by registering you on SEVIS. When you submit your J-1 Visa application to a U.S. consulate or embassy, the consular officer handling your application will have access to the data that The Washington Center entered into SEVIS.

Whenever there is a change in your U.S. contact information or in your program or visa status (e.g. when The Washington Center approves a program extension or when you finish your program early), The Washington Center updates your SEVIS record. If you are terminated from the J-1 Program, your SEVIS record will reflect this and have a negative impact on future visa applications. To maintain your legal visa status and SEVIS record, it is very important that you inform The Washington Center of any changes.

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4. In which subject fields does The Washington Center sponsor trainees on the J-1 Visa Program?

The Washington Center sponsors trainees on the J-1 Visa Program in the fields of management, business, commerce and finance for both graduate and undergraduate students. Eventually, The Washington Center will also sponsor students in the fields of information technology, media, communications, the sciences, engineering, architecture, mathematics, industrial occupations, public administration or law.

5. What are the application requirements?

To be eligible for The Washington Center Sponsorship of the J-1 Trainee Visa, you need to:

• Have completed the application form and submitted all the required information.
• Have been admitted into the program.
• Have at least two years of education, training, or work experience in a field directly related to the proposed training.
• Know English well enough to perform successfully in the proposed on-the-job training position.
• Plan to leave the U.S. within 30 days after the completion of your training program.
• Submit proof of health insurance.
• Have not held the J-1 Visa in the Trainee category before.
• Not perform work that a part-time or full-time staff member of the company would otherwise be responsible for. As a J-1 Trainee you are not allowed to make final decisions about, or carry the full responsibility for, major tasks, assignments or projects. However, you may provide assistance in such matters since on-the-job training is encouraged as an important learning tool.

6. Do I really have to apply for the J-1 Visa in my home country?

You can obtain the J-1 Visa (or any other visa) only at a U.S. consulate or embassy outside the U.S. If you have secured The Washington Center sponsorship for the J-1 Visa but are unable or unwilling to apply for your visa in your home country, you may be able to do so in another (third) country. For example, if you are already in the U.S., you may apply for the J-1 Visa at a U.S. consulate in Canada. However, The Washington Center discourages visa applications in third countries since your chances of obtaining the J-1 Visa can be considerably lower (and consular policy on such applications may change without notification). We encourage all exchange visitors to apply for the J-1 Visa in their home country.

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7. How long can my training program last?

The Washington Center Training programs last 10 weeks in summer and 15 weeks in fall and spring.

8. Can I bring my wife, husband and/or children?

Your spouse and/or children may be able to obtain the J-2 Visa to accompany you to the U.S. or join you later. Each dependant (spouse and/or unmarried child under the age of 21) wishing to enter the U.S. with you must apply for The Washington Center sponsorship of the J-2 Visa at the same time you are submitting your application for The Washington Center sponsorship of the J-1 Visa. If a dependant wishes to join you in the U.S. later, they need to apply for The Washington Center sponsorship separately. The application fee is $300 U.S. dollars per dependant.

You and your dependants must bring sufficient funds to cover all living expenses in the U.S., pay for round-trip air travel, and purchase adequate health insurance, both for yourself and your spouse and/or children. The Washington Center -sponsored dependants on the J-2 Visa are not allowed to accept any employment while in the U.S. (unless under exceptional circumstances). Please note that securing sponsorship for a J-1 or J-2 Visa does not guarantee that you or your dependants will actually be granted the J-1 or J-2 Visa by a U.S. embassy or consulate.

9. Can I extend my training program later?

Unfortunately The Washington Center does not grant extensions on the J-1 Visa training program. After you have successfully completed your program, you are permitted to remain in the U.S. for another 30 days. During this 30-day "Grace Period," you are no longer in J-1 Visa status and therefore, you cannot continue training. The Grace Period allows you to visit friends or finish shopping and packing before you return to your country.

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10. Can I apply for a second J-1 Trainee Visa?

According to the Department of State you may be a J-1 Trainee on the Exchange Visitor Program only once in your life. However, you might qualify for other student visas under other categories once accepted in U.S. School.

11. What should I do if there are problems during my training program?

As your J-1 Visa sponsor, The Washington Center acts as your advisor and liaison between you and your host company. You are required to notify us immediately if you encounter any problems during your training program. Please contact Virginia Gergoff at virginiag@twc.edu or Peter Stephens at peters@twc.edu.

12. Can I work and/or accept another job outside my training program?

No. As a J-1 Trainee you are strictly prohibited from accepting any employment in the U.S outside your training program and/or performing any work in the U.S. If you are found to engage in unauthorized employment and/or work, you are in violation of federal regulations, subject to immediate termination from the J-1 Visa Program, and may face deportation and/or other penalties through the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS).

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13. Do I need to have health insurance for my training program?

All trainees and their dependants on the J-1 Visa must be covered by an insurance plan that satisfies the insurance requirements of the U.S. Department of State for the entire duration of the training program. Before The Washington Center can approve sponsorship, you and your dependants must show evidence of such coverage or purchase insurance through The Washington Center (see details in the next item). To satisfy the requirements of the Department of State, your and your dependants' insurance coverage must:

1. Provide, at a minimum, up to 10,000 U.S. dollars in case of medical evacuation.
   
   
2. Provide, at a minimum, up to 7,500 U.S. dollars in case of repatriation of remains.
   
   
3. Provide, at a minimum up to 50,000 U.S. dollars of regular and customary medical expenses per accident or sickness or 75% of regular and customary medical expenses per accident or sickness
   
   
4. Have a deductible that does not exceed 500 U.S. dollars per accident or sickness.

The provider must either:
Be underwritten by an insurance corporation with one of the following ratings:

a. an A.M. Best rating of "A-" or above


b. an Insurance Solvency International Ltd. (ISI) rating of "A-i" or above


c. a Standard & Poor's Claims-paying Ability rating of "A-" or above


d. a Weiss Research Inc. rating of "B+" or above


e. a corresponding rating from the United States Information Agency


OR: Be backed by the full faith and credit of the government of your home country, or be offered through or underwritten by a federally qualified Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) or eligible Competitive Medical Plan (CMP), as determined by the Health Care Financing Administration of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

 

14. Can I buy insurance through The Washington Center?

Trainee applicants cannot purchase insurance through The Washington Center at this time. However, we refer our international trainees to: Creative Benefit Solutions. Attention to Mr. Stephen B. Miller. You can contact him at steve@sbmiller.com , address: 6444 Windermere Circle. Rockville, MD 20852. Phone: 301-896-0430. The Washington Center is not responsible for any problems that might occur with the health insurance provider.

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15. How will I pay for my living expenses during my training program?

Some host companies provide their trainees with a monthly stipend that helps them pay for rent and other living expenses. However, regardless of whether your on-the-job training is paid or unpaid, it will be your responsibility to have sufficient funds to cover all living expenses in the U.S., pay for round-trip air travel, and purchase adequate health insurance.

When you apply for your visa, you will be required to show the U.S. consular officer that you have available personal funds at least in the amount stated in item 5.g. on the DS-2019 Form issued by The Washington Center. If your expenses are covered by a third party, you will have to show a letter from the third party indicating that they are going to cover your expenses. (i.e: letter from a government institution, etc.).

16. How long may I stay in the U.S. after I finish my training program?

After you have successfully completed your J-1 training program, you are permitted by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) to remain in the U.S. for another 30 days. During this 30-day period, which is often referred to as the "Grace Period," you are no longer in J-1 Visa status and are under the jurisdiction of the BCIS. The BCIS grants this period to allow you to settle your affairs and to prepare your return to your home country. You cannot work during this 30-day period. Although you may travel in the United States, we recommended that you do not travel beyond the borders of the U.S. as you may not be permitted re-entry with the same visa status. For your own safety we suggest your health insurance also covers this period.

17. What paperwork do I need to travel abroad during the training program?

Before traveling you must come to our office and SEVIS Responsible Officer Mr. Peter Stephens must sign your form DS-2019 to indicate that you are in good standing with The Washington Center. On the date of the travel, you must take with you your passport along with the signed form DS-2019. Please note that your J-1 Trainee Visa has to be valid beyond the dates of your travels.

 

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