United States · Student
United States J-1 Exchange visitor
First stay: 4 yrs
Checked against official sources on Rule changed 15 Sept 2026Change log
Key facts
J-1 Exchange visitor is a student route for United States. Local work: limited. Checked 2026-10-12 against the official source.
- Government fees
- $220
- First stay
- 4 yrs
Cost, time and long term
Government fees$220
- $220I-901 SEVIS fee for J visa applicants; special J categories pay USD 35 and government visitors pay nothing.
RenewalRenewable
A new programme end date on the Form DS-2019 does not by itself extend the stay: a J-1 exchange visitor who needs more time must apply to USCIS for an extension of stay.
CitizenshipTime here doesn't count
Naturalisation requires years of lawful permanent resident status (5 years, or 3 if married to a U.S. citizen), so time in this temporary status does not count toward it.
Why this route may not fit
Check this before you apply.
- Time on this route doesn't count toward citizenship
- Needs a place at a school or university in United States
- Work rights are limited
What you'll need
What you must show and pay1
- A fee of $220 · I-901 SEVIS fee for J visa applicants; special J categories pay USD 35 and government visitors pay nothing.
Documents1
- A Form DS-2019 from the sponsor's responsible officer is required for an approved programme.
Steps2
- Then apply for the J-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
- Entry is allowed no more than 30 days before the programme begins.
After you arrive1
- To stay beyond the admission date, the exchange visitor must apply to USCIS for an extension of stay, even when the sponsor extends the programme on the Form DS-2019.
When you become tax resident
How United States decides tax residence and treats foreign-source income, from its tax records.
- Stay on this route
Up to 4 years at first, renewable
- Tax residence
- At least 31 days in the current calendar yearMinimum days of presence in the current year.
- At least 183 days in the current year plus two preceding years (weighted 1, 1/3, 1/6)Weighted days of presence over the three-year period.
- Foreign-source income
U.S. citizens and resident aliens are taxed on worldwide income at the graduated rates that apply to citizens; non-residents are taxed on U.S.-source income under Form 1040-NR rules.
All tax rules for United States Tax records checked
Full official text
Exchange visitor status for approved programmes (study, research, teaching, training, au pair and others) run by a sponsor designated by the State Department. 1 2 3 4
What you must show and pay
- A fee of $220 · I-901 SEVIS fee for J visa applicants; special J categories pay USD 35 and government visitors pay nothing. 2
- Savings 1
Requirements
- A Form DS-2019 from the sponsor's responsible officer is required for an approved programme. 1
- Then apply for the J-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate. 1
- Entry is allowed no more than 30 days before the programme begins. 1
- To stay beyond the admission date, the exchange visitor must apply to USCIS for an extension of stay, even when the sponsor extends the programme on the Form DS-2019. 3
Stay
- Since 15 September 2026 J-1 exchange visitors are admitted for a fixed period, no longer for duration of status: until the programme end date on the Form DS-2019, not more than 4 years, plus 30 days to prepare to leave. A longer stay needs an extension of stay approved by USCIS.
- First stay: up to 48 months, decided case by case.
Nationality
No nationality restriction; some J-1 holders are subject to a foreign residence requirement (Form I-612 waiver).
Work
Employment only as authorised under the terms of the exchange programme; J-2 spouses and children can apply for employment authorisation.
Family
Spouse and unmarried children under 21 as J-2.
Official sources
- Exchange Visitors (J-1) · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-10
- I-901 SEVIS Fee · U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement · checked 2026-10-12
- Final rule: fixed time period of admission and extension of stay for F, J and I nonimmigrants (91 FR 44976, 17 July 2026; effective 15 September 2026) · Department of Homeland Security, in the Federal Register (govinfo.gov) · checked 2026-10-12 · published 2026-07-17
- Student and Exchange Visitor Program: notice of the final rule published 17 July 2026 · U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement · checked 2026-10-12
- USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 12, Part D, Chapter 2: Lawful permanent resident admission for naturalization · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-11
- I am married to a U.S. citizen (naturalization) · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-11
J-1 Exchange visitor and its alternatives
| Route | Money needed | Stay | Work |
|---|---|---|---|
| J-1 Exchange visitor | – | 4 yr | Limited |
| F-1 / M-1 Student visa | – | 4 yr, renewable | Limited |
| Student residence Mexico | Needs income of MXN 26k+ a month ≈ $1,410 | – | – |
| Student visa V Colombia | – | 2 yr | Yes |
| Student stay Costa Rica | – | 2 yr, renewable | – |
Questions people ask
How much money do I need for the J-1 Exchange visitor?
A fee of $220. I-901 SEVIS fee for J visa applicants; special J categories pay USD 35 and government visitors pay nothing.
How long can I stay on the J-1 Exchange visitor?
Since 15 September 2026 J-1 exchange visitors are admitted for a fixed period, no longer for duration of status: until the programme end date on the Form DS-2019, not more than 4 years, plus 30 days to prepare to leave.
Can I work on the J-1 Exchange visitor?
Limited. Employment only as authorised under the terms of the exchange programme; J-2 spouses and children can apply for employment authorisation.
Can I bring my family on the J-1 Exchange visitor?
Spouse and unmarried children under 21 as J-2.
More in United States
Study visas elsewhere
≈ USD figures are approximate: daily reference rates from ExchangeRate-API, dated 12 Oct 2026, refreshed when the site is updated.
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How this was checked
Checked on 2026-10-12 against 6 official sources. Status: verified against the official sources.
Every figure on this page comes from the official source it links to. The record was researched against these sources, then reviewed separately, with special attention to effective dates and amendments. Where a source does not state something, the page leaves it out.
- Exchange Visitors (J-1) · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-10
- I-901 SEVIS Fee · U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement · checked 2026-10-12
- Final rule: fixed time period of admission and extension of stay for F, J and I nonimmigrants (91 FR 44976, 17 July 2026; effective 15 September 2026) · Department of Homeland Security, in the Federal Register (govinfo.gov) · checked 2026-10-12
- Student and Exchange Visitor Program: notice of the final rule published 17 July 2026 · U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement · checked 2026-10-12
- USCIS Policy Manual, Volume 12, Part D, Chapter 2: Lawful permanent resident admission for naturalization · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-11
- I am married to a U.S. citizen (naturalization) · U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services · checked 2026-10-11
Tracked since 2026-10-10. Rule changes and corrections are listed on the changes page, and the methodology page explains how facts are checked. Found something out of date? Email contact@stayglobe.app with a link to the official source.