FAQ

 

Q. What jobs can students from Thailand allow to work in the United States under J1

Visa?

A. The Exchange Visitor under J1 Visa may work based on individual Skills set on the following lists

01) Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, And Related Sciences

03) Natural Resources And Conservation

04) Architecture And Related Services

05) Area/Regional, Ethnic, Cultural, And Gender Studies

09) Communication, Journalism, And Related Programs

10) Communications Technologies, Technicians And Support Services

11) Computer And Information Sciences And Support Services

12) Personal And Culinary Services

13) Education

14) Engineering

16) Foreign Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics

Including Foreign Languages And Literatures; Linguistics; Language Interpretation And Translation; Comparative Literature; Language, Literature And Linguistics For All Languages In The World Including Various Forms And Study Of Sign Language

19) Family And Consumer Sciences/Human Sciences. Formerly Home Economics

22) Legal Professions And Studies

Including Law, Legal Research, Judicature And All Branches And Specialties In The Practice Of Law

23) English Language And Literature/Letters

Including English Literature, Composition, And Various Types Of English Writing

24) Liberal Arts And Sciences, General Studies And Humanities

25) Library Science

26) Biological Sciences

27) Mathematics And Statistics

31) Parks, Recreation, Leisure, Fitness Studies And Camp Counselor

38) Philosophy And Religious Studies

39) Theology And Religious Vocations

40) Physical Sciences

41) Science & Laboratory Technologies/Technicians

42) Psychology

Including, But Not Limited To Psychometrics And Psychobiology

43) Security And Protective Services

Including Law Enforcement, Fire Protection, And Corrections

44) Public Administration And Social Service Professions

45) Social Sciences

46) Construction Trades

47) Mechanic And Repair Technologies/Technicians

48) Precision Production

Application Of Technical Knowledge And Skills To Create Products Using Techniques Of Precision Craftsmanship Or Technical Illustration.

49) Transportation And Materials Moving

50) Visual And Performing Arts

51) Health Services, Allied Health, Health Sciences, Medical Research, General

52) Business, Management, Marketing, And Related Support Services

54) History

60) Residency Programs

Residency programs are designed to prepare medical doctors M.D. or osteopaths DO, dentists DDS, D.M.D., and veterinarians D.V.M. for certification as practitioners of recognized specialties in their respective professions. These programs are approved and accredited by designated professional associations and require from one to five years to complete, depending on the program. Medical residencies usually require completion of an internship after the M.D. degree for program entry, while requirements vary for dentistry and veterinary programs.

 

 

Q. Positions in which Summer Work Travel Participants cannot work?

A. Participants cannot work as domestic help (housekeepers, etc.) in American homes. Nor can they work in positions that require them to invest their own money for inventory, such as door-to-door sales. Participants cannot work in jobs that require them to provide patient care or that might bring the Department of State into notoriety or disrepute. Please read the regulations for more details.

http://exchanges.state.gov/jexchanges/programs/swt.html

 

 

Q. Where can I find the formal welcome information for US Department of State?

A. http://exchanges.state.gov/jexchanges/docs/welcome_broch2008.pdf

 

 

Q. What is the Typical Wait Time (Calendar Days*) for a Nonimmigrant Visa Interview Appointment?

A. Student/Exchange Visitors Visas: 10 Days for Bangkok

 

 

Q. What is the Form DS-2019?

A. The Form DS-2019 is the “Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status”. The Form DS-2019 is a controlled document which only State Department-designated sponsors are authorized to issue to foreign nationals (prospective exchange visitors) they have screened and selected for participation in their State Department-designated exchange visitor program. Foreign nationals (prospective exchange visitors) then apply at a U.S. embassy or consulate for the J-1 exchange visitor visa to participate in their prospective sponsor’s exchange visitor program. Issuance of the J-1 visa, like all non-immigrant visas, is at the discretion of Consular Officers viewing visa applications at U.S. embassies and consulates.

 

 

Q. What are the required visa fees for participating in the Exchange Visitor Program (obtaining a J-1 visa)?

A. Each applicant for a visa must pay a non refundable $180 (U.S. currency) nonimmigrant visa application-processing fee. If the visa is issued, there may be an additional visa issuance reciprocity fee for citizens of certain countries.

 

 

Q. Do all exchange visitors have to pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee?

A. Most exchange visitors are required to pay a one-time SEVIS fee of $100 (U.S. currency).

For the Summer Work/Travel, Au Pair, and Camp Counselor programs, the fee is $35 (U.S. currency). All those applying for a J-1 visa for initial participation in a program must pay this fee.

 

 

 

Q. How long can I remain in the United States after my J-1 exchange visitor program ends?

A. Two 30 day periods govern an exchange visitor’s authorized stay in the United States. The first 30-day period occurs before an exchange visitor’s program begin/start date stated on the exchange visitor’s Form DS-2019. The second 30-day period occurs after the exchange visitor’s successful completion of the program end date stated on his/her Form DS-2019. Both periods relate to non-immigrant visa holders’ immigration status in the United States.

 

 

Q. What will happen to my J-1 visa status if I withdraw from my exchange visitor program?

A. If you plan to withdraw from your program you must notify your program sponsor. If you withdraw, your program sponsor will enter this information into SEVIS and you will be expected to depart the United States immediately. You will not be entitled to the post-completion 30 day period because you did not successfully complete your program.

 

 

Q. What will happen to my J-1 visa status if my exchange visitor program sponsor terminates my exchange visitor program?

A. If your sponsor terminates you for just cause, they will enter this information into SEVIS and you will be expected to depart the United States immediately. You will not be entitled to the post-completion 30 day period because you did not successfully complete your program

 

 

Q. Will I have to pay taxes on my salary if I am working and receiving wages while on a J-1 visa?

A. Yes. You will need to pay taxes on any salary/wages earned while utilizing the J-1 visa in the United States.