USA Immigration Legal Services
J-1 Exchange Visitors
- The J-1 classification (exchange visitors) is authorized for those who intend to participate in an approved program for the purpose of teaching, instructing or lecturing, studying, observing, conducting research, consulting, demonstrating special skills, receiving training, or to receive graduate medical education or training.
- Examples of exchange visitors include, but are not limited to:
- EProfessors or scholars, research assistants, students, trainees, and teachers, among others
- To qualify as a J-1 intern, you must:
- EBe at least 18 years old, be enrolled in an accredited academic institution or have graduated within 12 months of your internship start date, have English language skills, and intern in a field related to your academic or professional background.
- To qualify as a J-1 trainee, you must:
- EBe at least 18 years old, have a diploma from an accredited academic institution and at least 1 year of relevant professional work experience (or 5 years of relevant professional work experience if you do not have a post-secondary degree), have upper-intermediate or advanced English language skills, and train in a field related to your academic and/or professional background.
