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United StatesWork permitsLast checked October 17, 2026

J-1 Exchange Visitor

The J-1 is for people taking part in a US exchange visitor program designated by the Department of State, for study, teaching, research, training, internships, au pair work, summer work and travel, camp counselling or graduate medical training. A designated sponsor accepts the person and issues Form DS-2019, after which they pay the SEVIS fee and apply for a J-1 visa. Some J-1 visitors must live in their home country for 2 years after the program before they can get certain US visas or a green card (the INA 212(e) rule).

See requirements ↓
3 entry rules for United States based on recent travel

These apply to people who were recently in certain countries. Sign in and add your trips to see whether any apply to you.

Entry restrictions apply to 20 passports for United States

The government has suspended some or all visas for holders of these passports. Exceptions exist; see the source.

  • Afghanistan
  • Burkina Faso
  • Chad
  • Equatorial Guinea
  • Eritrea
  • Haiti
  • Iran
  • Laos
  • Libya
  • Mali
  • Myanmar (Burma)
  • Niger
  • Palestinian Territories
  • Republic of the Congo
  • Sierra Leone
  • Somalia
  • South Sudan
  • Sudan
  • Syria
  • Yemen

Source: Proclamation 10949 - Restricting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats (Federal Register, 10 Jun 2025)Source: Proclamation 10998 - Restricting and Limiting the Entry of Foreign Nationals To Protect the Security of the United States (Federal Register, 19 Dec 2025)Source: Proclamation 10998 full text (GovInfo)Source: U.S. Department of State - Suspension of Visa Issuance to Foreign Nationals to Protect the Security of the United StatesSource: Presidential Determination on Refugee Admissions for FY2027 (Federal Register, 2 Oct 2026) - cites Proclamation 10998 as in force

Life in United States

Money

3

Currency

US Dollar

USD

US Dollar

Cost of living

100

Price level · US = 100

World Bank price levels, 2025

Tax

10–37%

Income tax (national)

social security 7.65%

Federal rates; most states and some cities add their own income tax. 37% starts above USD 626,350 (single, 2025).

Official rates, 2026 · headline only

Living

1

Happiness

6.8

#22 of 145 countries

World Happiness Report 2025

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Who it’s for

Students, scholars, professors, researchers, teachers, trainees, interns, au pairs, camp counsellors, summer work-travel students, specialists and foreign medical graduates accepted by a designated US exchange sponsor.

Eligibility

  • Accepted by a designated sponsor

    The person must be accepted into an exchange visitor program designated by the State Department's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, shown by a properly issued Form DS-2019.

  • Category criteriaTrainee / Intern

    Each category has its own rules; trainees and interns must meet specific education and work experience requirements.

    • Trainee: foreign post-secondary degree or certificate plus at least 1 year of related work experience abroad
    • Trainee alternative: 5 years of experience abroad
    • Intern: enrolled in a foreign post-secondary institution, or graduated within the last 12 months
    Official wording

    Each category has its own rules. For example, a trainee needs a foreign post-secondary degree or certificate plus at least 1 year of related work experience abroad, or 5 years of experience abroad. An intern must be enrolled in, or have graduated within the last 12 months from, a foreign post-secondary institution.

  • Teacher requirementsTeacher

    You need a degree and teaching experience, and you must be working as a teacher when you apply.

    • Degree equivalent to a US bachelor's in education or the subject to be taught
    • At least 2 years of full-time teaching experience after the degree
    Official wording

    A teacher needs the equivalent of a US bachelor's degree in education or the subject to be taught, at least 2 years of full-time teaching experience after the degree, and must be working as a teacher when applying.

A sneak peek at what's inside

  • Next requirementSummer Work and Travel
  • Document checklistForm DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status
  • FeesSEVIS I-901 fee (most J-1 categories)

The full requirements are for members

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  • 6 more requirements
  • 9 documents
  • 6 fees
  • 7 steps
  • Processing times and conditions
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