The Exchange Visitor (J) non-immigrant visa category is for individuals approved to participate in work-and study-based exchange visitor programs.
Exchange Visitor: College/University Student: May be authorized in SEVIS by the Responsible Officer (RO) for employment or Academic Training. Employment authorization is limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session (full-time during official school breaks) under the following circumstances: 1) on the campus of the school in which they are enrolled, or 2) off-campus due to unforeseen economic necessity. The RO may also authorize in SEVIS Academic Training related to student’s course of study either before or after completing the course of study. Academic Training is limited to a maximum of 18 months or the duration of the student’s program of study, whichever is less. Doctoral and post-doctoral students are eligible for an additional 18 months.
Exchange Visitor: Professor, Researcher, Specialist, Trainee, Physician, Intern: May be employed “incident to status” only by the designated program sponsor or appropriate designee, and within the guidelines of the program approved by DOS (Department of State), for the period of validity as stated on the DS-2019.
J-1 visitors must provide the following documents to receive honorarium:
Copy of Passport
Copy of Visa page in passport
Copy of I-94: visitor will need to visit: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/ and print the I-94 and the Travel History
Copy of DS-2019
Fill out: Social Security Affidavit Form (if visitor does not have a SSN or ITIN)
Fill out: Form W-8BEN
Fill out: Travel History Form
Letter from visitor’s sponsoring J-1 visa institution authorizing visitor to perform services at Mount Holyoke College (required)