Non-Immigrant Visas
Exchange Scholar Visas (J-1)
GENERAL INFORMATION:
The "J" exchange visitor program is designed to promote the interchange of persons, knowledge, and skills in the fields of education, arts, and sciences. Participants include students at all academic levels; trainees obtaining on-the-job training with firms, institutions, and agencies; teachers of primary, secondary, and specialized schools; professors coming to teach or do research at institutions of higher learning; research scholars; professional trainees in the medical and allied fields; and international visitors going to the United States for the purpose of travel, observation, consultation, research, training, sharing, or demonstrating specialized knowledge or skills, or participating in organized people-to-people programs.
SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
Scholastic Preparation
"J" exchange visitors must have sufficient scholastic preparation and knowledge of the English language to enable them to undertake a full course of study in the institution of learning or other place of study at which they have been accepted. If the an applicant's knowledge of English is inadequate to enable him/her to pursue a full course of study, he/she must submit documentation that special arrangements have been made for English language tutoring by the receiving institution.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION:
• Forms DS156, DS157 (Men between 16 and 45) and DS158. Download forms
• One photograph 2 inches square (50 square mm).
• Participants in the "J" program must present a Form DS-2019 prepared by a designated sponsoring organization.
• Evidence of sufficient scholarship or personal funds to cover the applicant's expenses, or evidence that other arrangements have been made to provide for the applicant's expenses. Possession of "sufficient funds" means the applicant is neither likely to become a public charge nor likely to engage in unauthorized employment in order to support his or herself while in the United States.
OTHER DOCUMENTATION:
Evidence establishing the applicant's intention to depart from the United States upon completion of his or her stay. This means you have residence in Yemen or another foreign country that you have no intention of abandoning; and social, economic, and other ties that would compel your return after a temporary and lawful visit. Under Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, as amended, a visa may not be issued to any applicant who is unable to overcome the presumption that he or she is an immigrant by demonstrating the above factors to the satisfaction of the interviewing consular officer.