Overview
This broad category is used by a wide variety of non-immigrants including students, scholars, trainees, teachers, professors, research scholars and assistants, au pairs and international or government visitors. These individuals come to the United States temporarily for the purpose of travel, observation, consultation, research, training, or to participate in an organized program.

Requirements Under the Various J Categories

College and University Students
J students must be pursuing a full time course of study that will lead to a degree from an approved post-secondary educational institution, or be participating in a full time non degree course of study of up to24 months at an approved post-secondary educational institution. Students are eligible for J status if the U.S government, the government of the student’s home country, or an international organization in which the United States is a member, finances their program. Students are permitted to work as long as it involves academic training related to their course of study, is related to academic funding, is on-campus work or is required due to economic necessity.

Professors and Research Scholars
Individuals under this occupation are permitted to temporarily enter the United States to participate in teaching, research, observing, lecturing, or consulting at research facilities, museums, libraries, post –secondary accredited educational institutions, or other similar institutions. Status under this category is granted for up to three (3) years. It may be granted for up to six (6) years if the United States or foreign government directly funds the program. Medical trainees and short-term scholars are excluded from this category.

Short Term Scholars
The Short Term Scholars category applies to professors or research scholars who are seeking to enter the United States for a short period of time .The maximum permitted stay for a short term scholar is six (6) months.

Trainees
The purpose of this category is to enhance the alien’s skills by having him participate in a structured training program emphasizing American techniques, methodologies, or expertise. The sponsors of the program must show that they are not intending on recruiting training the alien for the purpose of working in the United States .This category is open to specialty and non-specialty occupations, but not to unskilled workers. College and university students as well as medical trainees are excluded from this category.

There are eleven areas considered for this category:

1. Arts and culture;
2. Information media and communications;
3. Educational, social sciences, library science, counseling and social services;
4. Management, business , commerce and finance;
5. Health-related occupations;
6. Aviation;
7.The sciences,engineering,architecture,mathematics,and industrial occupations;
8. Construction and building trades;
9. Agriculture, forestry and fishing;
10. Public administration and law;and
11. Other (specified by the sponsor).

Specialists
The purpose of this category is for individuals who are experts In a field of specialized knowledge or skill, come to the United States to observe, consult and demonstrate their special knowledge or skill with their American colleagues and well as gain information and knowledge on American institutions and methods of practice.

International Visitors
An international visitor is defined as an individual who are selected to consult, observe, research, train and demonstrate a specialized skill in the United States. The individual participates in observation tours, discussions, meetings, conferences and workshops in order for him to gain knowledge of American culture and to contribute knowledge about his own culture.

The maximum duration of stay under this category is one (1) year.

Governmental Visitors
This category is only used for U.S federal, state and local government agencies. The maximum duration of stay is eighteen (18) months.

Teachers
This category encourages the exchange of American and foreign teachers by allowing foreign teachers to teach in both public and private schools in the United States .Teachers may work full time in an approved primary or secondary school.

The eligibility requirements are as follows:

• The individual must be qualified teacher in both his home country as well as the U.S.States in which he plans to teach;

• The individual must be of good character;

• The individual must be coming to the United States to work full time in an approved primary or secondary educational institution;

• The individual must have at least three (3) years experience.

The maximum duration of stay under this category is three (3) Years.

Secondary School Students
Secondary student are required to continue with a full course of study at an approved educational institution. Students may participate in extra-curricular activities or events as provided by the school. However, students are not permitted to work while in the United States. Secondary students may visit the United States for up to one year of study at an approved public or private secondary educational institution. The student must live with either a US family or at an approved boarding school while staying in the United States.

Camp Counselors
This category is intended to encourage and improve America’s knowledge of foreign cultures and permit foreign individuals to learn about American culture. Camp counselors are defined by US regulations as an individual selected to be a counselor in a summer camp who imparts skills to American campers and information about his or her country and culture. Camp counselors must be at least 18 years of age and must work in an organization that meets the following requirements:

• Be accredited;
• Be a member of the American Camping Association;
• Officially affiliated with a “nationally recognized non-profit organization”; and be
• Inspected, evaluated, and approved by the J program sponsor.

Au Pairs
The purpose of this category is to allow foreign individuals to work and live with a US family. The individual provides childcare services and attends a US secondary school. Au pairs must be between the ages of 18 and 26, have a high school diploma and be able to communicate in English. Au pairs must also undergo a personal interview conducted in English, provide three non-family references, and successfully pass a background check. The employers must be either US citizens or permanent residents, be fluent in English, and pass background checks. Adult family members living in the house are required to have a personal interview.

The au pairs must enroll in, and attend, a US school for at least six (6) semester hours or its equivalent. In addition, the au pairs must not provide more than 45 hours a week in childcare services. The family is required to pay the au pair at least minimum wage and up to $500.00 for his academic work.

Summer Student Travel/Work Program
This category allows foreign students to travel and work during the summer months when they are not attending school. The employment must be prearranged and must be of a commercial or industrial type. The student must be between 18 and 23 years of age.

Foreign Medical Graduates
Any medical graduates wanting to participate in an internship, residency or other clinical training in the United States under this category may only do so if sponsored by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates(“ECFMG”). Foreign medical graduates wanting to participate in only observation, consultation, teaching or research may do so as long as an accredited academic institution sponsors him or her. Patient care must be limited to teaching and research purposes only. The sponsor must certify that:

• The program involves observation, consultation, teaching, or research;

• Any patient contact by the alien will be under the supervision of a US citizen or permanent resident who is licensed to practice medicine in the State;

• The alien will not have authority in the diagnosis or treatment of patients;

• The alien’s activities will comply with the State licensing requirements and health care regulations; and

• Experience gained by the alien will not be commendable towards the requirements of medical specialty board certification.

The maximum length of stay in the United States under this category is limited to the length of time it would normally take to complete the program. In some cases an extension may be permitted.

Dual Intent
Dual intent under this category is limited to certain aliens. Generally, J aliens must return to their home country for two years before applying for H or L status or before applying for resident alien status. Assuming residency in another country (not the alien’s home country) will not satisfy this requirement. Some exceptions to this general rule may apply.