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The
purpose of the
U.S. Department of State’s Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) is to
increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other
countries by means of educational and cultural exchanges, provide foreign nationals with
opportunities to participate in professional training and cultural programs in the U.S. and to
return home to share their experiences, and encourage Americans to participate in similar and
cultural programs in other countries.
An Exchange visitor
means a foreign national who has been selected by a sponsor to participate in an exchange visitor
program and who is seeking to enter or has entered the U.S. temporarily on a J-1 visa. The term
does not include the visitor’s immediate family. J-2 visas are issued to the exchange visitor’s
immediate family.
J-1 Visa Background
Information
As a designated sponsor
of the State Department to promote its Exchange Visitor Program, ICLS provides J-1 visa
Application Services, under the Trainee Category, to recruit participants interested in
receiving professional experience through on-the-job training with U.S. institutions.
An individual cannot
make his/ her own arrangements for a J-1 visa. Either a sponsor organization such as ICLS,
or an American Host Company or Organization must be involved.
The J-1 visa is used by
individuals (students, scholars, trainees, teachers, professors, researchers, specialists,
leaders) in a specialized field of knowledge and skills, coming to the U.S. under the sponsorship
of government agencies, schools and private and nonprofit organizations for a variety of
educational, cultural and professional training exchanges. Designated sponsors, such as ICLS, are
approved by the U.S. Department of State to issue the DS 2019 Form, Certificate of
Eligibility for an Exchange Visitor (J-1 Visa), which is the document used by the individual to
apply for his/her visa at a U.S. Embassy, Visa Consulate Section. Participants retain a copy of
the form in their passports.
J-1 Visa Length.
The term of the J-1 Visa for this program can range from 3 to 18 months (a 12 month
program is preferred with possibility of extension for 6 months upon successful training
accomplishment). Depending upon your country of origin, you may be subject to a two-year home
country physical presence requirement after completion of the training program and upon
expiration of J-1 visa (DS-2019 Form).
U.S. Tax Policy.
Depending on the inter-governmental treaty signed between the United States and your home country
(legal residence), if any, you may be subject to paying U.S. tax if your internship stipend
exceeds the amount determined by the treaty. Some treaties provide a 100% tax exemption. You will
learn more about U.S. taxes regarding foreign students during the program orientation
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