Page 112 iStudy Guide 2019/20
P. 112
112
iStudy
2019/20
It is required for every J-1 visa applicant to attend a face-
to-face interview at the US embassy or consulate with an
official consulate officer. Each consulate offers time slots,
which need to be booked well in advance as, depending
on where you are located, waiting times can be lengthy
and you don’t want to miss your chosen visa start date. If
you do, you won’t be permitted into the country.
Be warned, the interviews can be tricky and there is no
guarantee under any circumstances that the consulate
officer will accept your application. Depending upon the
STEP 3: INTERVIEW WITH A US CONSULAR
So as to avoid disappointment upon your trip to the
US consulate or embassy for your interview, I would
advise being as prepared as possible. First of all, before
you even endeavour to apply for the J-1 visa, ensure
you are eligible for it by conducting thorough research
and talking to programme sponsors. Secondly, upon
attending your J-1 visa interview, be armed with the
following correct documentation that is required by
the US Department of State:
REQUIREMENTS & DOCUMENTS
DS-2019 form
DS-160 form: Online Non-immigrant Visa
Electronic Application
A passport valid for travel to the US with validity
six months after the intended period of stay
One 2x2 photograph
officer on the given day you attend the interview, you
can be lightly quizzed on your intentions for your visit
to the US, or you can be (somewhat) interrogated about
your ties to your home country, your reasons to return,
how you plan to cover expenses and so on. Don’t be
intimidated or disheartened; this is purely the duty of the
consulate. Your application for a J-1 visa will be accepted
or denied during your visit and if successful, you will hand
over your passport to be adorned with your shiny new J-1
visa, which is then returned via post within the following
two weeks.
Without these documents, any application will be
declined on the spot. However, they do request
further documentation to support your application.
This includes:
University acceptance letter (to prove you are
a student)
Proof of address (to ascertain your residency
within your stated home country)
Bank statements (to prove that you have enough
funds (around $800) to support yourself during
your visit to the US)
Any document that proves you intend to return
to your home country (a signed letter from your
employer, landlord or university is usually
most appropriate)
iStudy
2019/20
It is required for every J-1 visa applicant to attend a face-
to-face interview at the US embassy or consulate with an
official consulate officer. Each consulate offers time slots,
which need to be booked well in advance as, depending
on where you are located, waiting times can be lengthy
and you don’t want to miss your chosen visa start date. If
you do, you won’t be permitted into the country.
Be warned, the interviews can be tricky and there is no
guarantee under any circumstances that the consulate
officer will accept your application. Depending upon the
STEP 3: INTERVIEW WITH A US CONSULAR
So as to avoid disappointment upon your trip to the
US consulate or embassy for your interview, I would
advise being as prepared as possible. First of all, before
you even endeavour to apply for the J-1 visa, ensure
you are eligible for it by conducting thorough research
and talking to programme sponsors. Secondly, upon
attending your J-1 visa interview, be armed with the
following correct documentation that is required by
the US Department of State:
REQUIREMENTS & DOCUMENTS
DS-2019 form
DS-160 form: Online Non-immigrant Visa
Electronic Application
A passport valid for travel to the US with validity
six months after the intended period of stay
One 2x2 photograph
officer on the given day you attend the interview, you
can be lightly quizzed on your intentions for your visit
to the US, or you can be (somewhat) interrogated about
your ties to your home country, your reasons to return,
how you plan to cover expenses and so on. Don’t be
intimidated or disheartened; this is purely the duty of the
consulate. Your application for a J-1 visa will be accepted
or denied during your visit and if successful, you will hand
over your passport to be adorned with your shiny new J-1
visa, which is then returned via post within the following
two weeks.
Without these documents, any application will be
declined on the spot. However, they do request
further documentation to support your application.
This includes:
University acceptance letter (to prove you are
a student)
Proof of address (to ascertain your residency
within your stated home country)
Bank statements (to prove that you have enough
funds (around $800) to support yourself during
your visit to the US)
Any document that proves you intend to return
to your home country (a signed letter from your
employer, landlord or university is usually
most appropriate)
