Hello, this is Matsui of IMS Legal Professional Corporation. I am looking forward to working with you again this year! Like many others, I am hoping that the world returns to normal this year, but the explosive spread of Omicron worldwide seems unstoppable. Japan's strict border measures are still in effect, and new entries of foreign nationals are still restricted (excluding some exceptions).
On the other hand, traveling from Japan to the U.S. has never been restricted in all this time since COVID-19 was first detected at the beginning of 2020. There were a few restrictions for visas such as the L (Intracompany Transferee) visa during the Trump administration, but short-term business and travel has continued as normal. Recently, the number of inquiries we receive regarding U.S. visas has been increasing. Perhaps this is in preparation for Golden Week or the summer holiday in a few months.
I hope we will be able to go on vacations both within in and out of the country by the time it gets warm.
What is the J-1 Visa?
In this post, I would like to focus on the J-1 visa.
The J visa is also called the "Exchange Visitor Visa" and is for those traveling to the U.S. to participate in an exchange program. Before applying for a visa at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, applicants must first be issued a DS-2019 form (Certificate of Eligibility). This form is issued by an organization (program sponsor) authorized to do so by the U.S. State Department. The applicant must have this form before applying, as it proves they have been accepted and approved as an exchange visitor.
There are a total of 14 categories within the J visa, and applicants can only apply for one category at a time. The categories most likely to be used by Japanese applicants are probably the following:
- Trainee
- Intern
- Research Scholar
- College/University Student, Secondary School Student
Many universities and other educational institutions act as program sponsors, and they are the ones to issue DS-2019 forms for research scholars and exchange students. Whether or not the program sponsor is a designated sponsor organization can be checked here.
When going as a corporate trainee or an intern, if the host company is unable to issue their own DS-2019, the applicant must find a designated third-party sponsor organization that can issue the DS-2019. There are many sponsor organizations, but considering the stress of finding one and navigating the procedures, it might be better to contact an organization that has Japanese support (i.e. this organization).
Mail-in Application Requirements
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, applications for some J visas (secondary and university students, professors, research scholars, short-term scholars, and specialists) can be done by mail without an in-person interview if you meet the following requirements listed below.
- You are a Japanese citizen
- You are currently living in Japan
- You have not been arrested in Japan, U.S., or any other country
- At least one of the following is true:
・You have traveled to the U.S. on ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) in the past and never had an ESTA application denied
・You have been issued a U.S. visa of any type in the past, and all ten fingerprints were collected at the visa interview.
Applications by mail were originally allowed until the end of 2021. However, though there was a slight change in the requirements, it has been extended to until December 31, 2022. If you meet the requirements, we recommend you to apply by mail ahead of time. Note: Even if you apply by mail, there are cases when an in-person interview is required, due to the consul’s decision.
The J visa has original rules that other visas do not have, and quite difficult to understand. At IMS, we provide online consultations whenever needed. Please feel free to contact us.
For more information, please contact us below ↓
https://imsvisa.support/en/contact/
