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1) Valid Passport
| If you have never had a passport issued to you, please contact your local passport issuing agency in your home country or country of permanent residence to apply for one as soon as possible.
Your passport must be valid on entry into the U.S. Your passport must have at least one blank page and it should be valid for a minimum of 6 months after your return date from the United States. British, Irish and E.U. passport holders must have a valid passport for the duration of your stay in the U.S. If your visit will be of short duration during which time your passport will expire, you should obtain a new passport before traveling, as you will be admitted to the U.S. only until the date on which the passport expires.
Any applicant who is currently in the UK with a UK Leave to Remain or UK Entry Clearance must ensure that it will allow multiple entries and be valid for a minimum of 6 months after the return to the UK.
| | 2) DS-2019 Form [Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status] | This form will be issued by Global Educational Concepts (GEC), your program sponsor. We are authorized by the U.S. Department of State which is the government body that monitors your exchange program to the U.S. Once you receive the DS-2019 form from GEC, this will allow you to apply for the J-1 visa.
(The DS-2019 form can only be issued to you once you have submitted all of your application paperwork, and you have made full payment of your program fees.)
The DS-2019 form contains information that identifies your program sponsor, Global Educational Concepts (GEC), describes the program purpose and states the exact starting and ending dates that you are allowed to work in the U.S.
Please note, you are only allowed to work during your summer vacation dates as determined by your university. You are therefore not allowed to miss any classes or exams either before or after your summer vacation begins or ends.
The DS-2019 form also lists your individual DS-2019 or SEVIS number, which you will need when registering your SEVIS details.
| | 3) J-1 Visa Application Forms | | Once you have received your DS-2019 form and have made your SEVIS fee payment, you will need to complete the following application forms. Please follow the instructions very carefully and remember to bring these completed application forms with you to your visa interview: | | a) DS-156 Form – all J-1 visa applicants must complete this form. You can complete this form electronically at www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/electronic.html. Alternatively, you can complete the non-electronic form at http://evisaforms.state.gov/DS156_English.pdf. It is suggested that you complete the electronic form as this may help speed up the application process, although this data is not transmitted electronically to the U.S. Embassy. If you must use the non-electronic form, it is recommended that you type your answers and not handwrite them, so that it is clear and easy to read.
| | b) DS-157 Form – all male applicants and all nationals of China, Cuba, Northern Cyprus, Iran, Libya, North Korea, Russia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Vietnam are required to complete this form, which can be downloaded at http://foia.state.gov/FORMS/visa/ds0157.pdf. Again, it is recommended that your answers are typed and not handwritten.
| | c) DS-158 Form – all J-1 visa applicants must complete this form. You can download this form at http://foia.state.gov/FORMS/visa/ds0158.pdf. Again, it is recommended that your answers are typed and not handwritten.
| d) d) One passport sized photograph – must be taken within the last 6 months and be 2 inches (50 mm) square and must be glued or stapled to the appropriate section of the DS-156 form. Go to www.usembassy.org.uk/cons_new/visa/niv/photo.html for more details about photograph requirements.
| | 4) Additional Documents | The U.S. Embassy may wish to see additional documents at your interview to prove that you have sufficient funds to cover your initial expenses while in the U.S. Recent bank statements from you or your parents may be sufficient evidence.
Evidence to show that you have ties to return at the end of your stay in the U.S. is often required at the time of your interview appointment. Examples include evidence of school attendance (i.e. registration for next semester), employment (i.e. letters that indicate your position, length of employment and salary), other evidence of financial, family and property (i.e. mortgage statements) ties, and commitments to a country other than the U.S., which would be a sufficient reason for you to return there at the conclusion of your stay in the U.S.
Prior, expired passports, including any that contain previously issued U.S. visas, are also good evidence that show your intention to return at the end of your program.
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