Specialty Categories

The J-1 visa, also known as the Exchange Visitor Visa or J student visa, is a non-immigrant visa for individuals approved to participate in study- and work-related exchange programs in the United States.

The spouse and unmarried children under 21 years of age, regardless of nationality, are entitled to 

J-2 classification.

FAQs

Q: Do I need to have a program sponsor before I can apply for the J-1 visa?

A: Yes, before applying for a J-1 visa, the applicant is required to have a program sponsor and be
accepted in an Exchange Visitor Program. The J-1 program categories include:

·        Professors or scholars

·        Research assistants

·        Students

·        Trainees

·        Teachers

·        Specialists

·        Au Pairs

·        Camp counsellors

Q: Where do I apply for a J-1 visa after being accepted to the program?

A: The applicant will apply at the U.S. Embassy in Israel after being accepted in an Exchange Visitor Program. The sponsor will provide a Form DS-2019 for each of the J-1 and J-2 visa holders, which is required at the time of visa processing.

The Q-1 classification is a non-immigrant visa intended for participants in an international cultural exchange program with a designated U.S. employer. The Q cultural exchange program is for the purpose of providing practical training and employment, and sharing the history, culture, and traditions of your home country with the United States.

FAQs

Q: What is the difference between a J-1 and a Q-1 visa?

A: The employer of a Q-1 applicant must prove that it maintains an established international cultural exchange program approved by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) while the J-1 visa program is approved by the Department of State.

Q: Can my spouse and child join me?

A: The Q non-immigrant classification is limited to the visa beneficiary and does not have a provision for the spouse or children to accompany or follow to join a Q-1 non-immigrant. Therefore, any spouse or children must qualify for another non-immigrant classification for which they may be eligible.

The F-1 Student Visa allows the applicant to enter the United States as a full-time student at an accredited college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or other academic institution or in a language training program. 

FAQs

Q: What are the requirements for a student visa?

A: One must be enrolled in a program or course of study that culminates in a degree, diploma, or certificate and the school must be authorized by the U.S. government to accept international students.

Q: What is an F-2 visa?

A: F-2 is a non-immigrant dependent visa which allows the immediate family members of an F1 student visa holder to relocate to the United States. The spouse and unmarried children (under 21 years of age) of F1 student visa holders are eligible for an F2 visa to enter and live in the U.S. The F-2 visa holder does not qualify for employment authorization, but does allow academic study.

 Q: How long is a student visa valid for?

A: One may remain in the U.S. as long as he/she is enrolled in the school to complete the academic program. After the program ends the applicant will have 60 days to depart the U.S. 

 Q: What is the difference between an M-1 visa and an F-1 visa? 

A: The M-1 visa (Vocational Student) category includes students in vocational or other non-academic programs, other than language training. 

The R-1 non-immigrant visa is intended for a visitor who is coming to the United States temporarily to be employed as a minister or in another religious vocation or religious occupation by a:

·       Non-profit religious organization in the United States;

·       Religious organization that is authorized by a group tax exemption holder to use its group tax exemption; or

·       Non-profit organization which is affiliated with a religious denomination in the United States.

FAQs

Q: What are requirements for an R-1 visa?

A: To qualify, the applicant must have been a member of a religious denomination having a bona fide non-profit religious organization in the United States for at least two years immediately before filing the petition.

Q: Can my spouse and/or children obtain visas as dependents?

A: Yes, the spouse and/or children of an individual who holds an R-1 visa may obtain R-2 visas as the principal holder’s dependents. Individuals in the R-2 status may not work in the U.S., but they may study.