Page 111 iStudy Guide 2019/20
P. 111
iStudy
2019/20
111
Unsurprisingly, obtaining my J-1 visa wasn’t as simple
as booking my flight; applying for a visa of any kind
from the US is a long, drawn-out process that involves
many of administrative hurdles. For me, this meant
a lot of research and careful attention-to-detail was
carried out every step of the way. As easily done as
HOW DID I OBTAIN THE VISA?
accidentally ticking the ‘yes’ box is when being asked
if you have any previous criminal convictions, it can be
the embarrassing difference between spending your
summer at the beach in LA and a weekend on the beach
in Brighton – and Brighton wasn’t adventurous enough
for me. Here’s how I obtained a J-1 visa:
Every application for a J-1 visa requires a visa programme
sponsor – this is the organisation that will represent and
support you whilst in the US. Without finding a sponsor,
you cannot begin your visa application. The sponsor
organisations will provide you with a job in the US,
whether that is with themselves directly, or with one
of the affiliated companies signed up to their J-1 jobs
database. Although the jobs available are largely blue-
collar, like waiting and reception work, it is up to you to
choose what field of work you would like to apply for
and where in the country you would like to live.
STEP 1: FIND A SPONSOR
Once signed up to a sponsor, you will be given a DS-
2019, or in other words, a ‘Certificate of Eligibility for
Exchanger Visitor (J-1) Status’. This two-page form
will ask you for all your personal details including
name, address and passport number, a description
of the exchange programme, including the start and
end date, as well as the cost of the programme (with
a breakdown on financial support). This form will be
your official document used by the US Department of
State to permit you an interview with the US embassy
or consulate.
STEP 2: APPLY FOR THE DS-2019
2019/20
111
Unsurprisingly, obtaining my J-1 visa wasn’t as simple
as booking my flight; applying for a visa of any kind
from the US is a long, drawn-out process that involves
many of administrative hurdles. For me, this meant
a lot of research and careful attention-to-detail was
carried out every step of the way. As easily done as
HOW DID I OBTAIN THE VISA?
accidentally ticking the ‘yes’ box is when being asked
if you have any previous criminal convictions, it can be
the embarrassing difference between spending your
summer at the beach in LA and a weekend on the beach
in Brighton – and Brighton wasn’t adventurous enough
for me. Here’s how I obtained a J-1 visa:
Every application for a J-1 visa requires a visa programme
sponsor – this is the organisation that will represent and
support you whilst in the US. Without finding a sponsor,
you cannot begin your visa application. The sponsor
organisations will provide you with a job in the US,
whether that is with themselves directly, or with one
of the affiliated companies signed up to their J-1 jobs
database. Although the jobs available are largely blue-
collar, like waiting and reception work, it is up to you to
choose what field of work you would like to apply for
and where in the country you would like to live.
STEP 1: FIND A SPONSOR
Once signed up to a sponsor, you will be given a DS-
2019, or in other words, a ‘Certificate of Eligibility for
Exchanger Visitor (J-1) Status’. This two-page form
will ask you for all your personal details including
name, address and passport number, a description
of the exchange programme, including the start and
end date, as well as the cost of the programme (with
a breakdown on financial support). This form will be
your official document used by the US Department of
State to permit you an interview with the US embassy
or consulate.
STEP 2: APPLY FOR THE DS-2019
