J-1 Exchange Visitor
The J Exchange Visitor category was developed to implement the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act (Fulbright-Hayes Act) of 1961. The overall purpose of that Act, and the objective of the Exchange Visitor category, 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.”
J-1 Categories Available at UTRGV:
- Student Intern
- Professor and Research Scholar
- Short-term Scholar
- Student, college/university
Pay for the J-1 Administrative Processing Fee
ISS collects a $105 processing fee for each initial Form DS-2019 requested. There are no processing fees for amendments.
- This fee must be paid online while the visitor is completing the initial request for the Form DS-2019. It is $105 per each initial DS-2019. This charge applies to J-1, dependents are included.
- Do not pay this fee for any dependents who will not require a DS-2019.
- Do not pay this fee “in advance” for family members who will not join you as J-2 dependents within 30 days of the start of your program.
- This fee is non-refundable. Do not pay this fee unless you have received your official invitation email/letter from your UTRGV host department. ISS will not refund fees for unused Form DS-2019s.
This fee does not apply for J-1 Degree/Non-Degree Seeking students.
Submit your Payment here.
J-1 Insurance Requirement
You are required to provide evidence that your insurance, and that of your J-2 dependents, meets the U.S. Department of State requirements outlined below:
Coverage/Minimum Requirement:
- Medical Benefits per accident or illness: $100,000
- Medical Evacuation: $50,000
- Repatriation of Remains: $25,000
- Deductible per accident or illness: (less than) $500
If you will be employed by UTRGV for at least 20 hours per week and for a duration of 4.5 months during your J-1 program, you may be eligible for health insurance benefits as part of your appointment. Please consult your hiring department regarding your eligibility for employee benefits. If you receive UTRGV's health insurance benefit, you will only be responsible to purchase the additional coverage for medical evacuation and repatriation.
ISS does not have the expertise to evaluate individual insurance policies. The Exchange Visitor must check with their insurance provider to verify that the policy meets the minimum insurance requirements set by the U.S. Department of State.
How to Apply for the Visa
There are several steps to apply for a visa. The order of these steps and how you complete them may vary by U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Please consult the instructions on the embassy or consulate website.
Complete the Online Visa Application- Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-160 – Learn more about completing the DS-160. You must: 1) complete the online visa application and 2) print the application form confirmation page to bring to your interview.
- Photo – You will upload your photo while completing the online Form DS-160. Your photo must be in the format explained in the Photograph Requirements.
Schedule an Interview
Interviews are generally required for visa applicants with certain limited exceptions below. Consular officers may require an interview of any visa applicant.
You should generally schedule an appointment for your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country where you live. You may schedule your interview at another U.S. Embassy or Consulate, but be aware that in some cases it may be more difficult to demonstrate that you qualify for a visa outside of the country where you live. Wait times for interview appointments vary by location, season, and visa category. You should apply for your visa early.