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Extensions of J-1 Status Q. How can I extend or change my status, or transfer to another program? A. The Program Designation Branch in the Bureau of Education, Cultural Exchanges and Academic Programs (ECA) handles J-1 extensions, category changes, and program transfers. You will need to contact ECA directly if you have further questions about one of these issues. They can be reached at 202-203-5096.
Q. How does an exchange visitor acquire an extension of the 30-day voluntary departure status? A. You will need to contact Citizenship and Immigration Service (CIS), Department of Homeland Security, for an extension of the 30-day, post-program, voluntary departure status period.
Q. How do I acquire an extension beyond the maximum limitation of stay of my exchange visitor program? A. You will need to contact your responsible officer/alternate responsible officer at your institution concerning an extension.
Dependent Spouses and Children/J-2 Questions Q. I am the J-2 spouse and/or child of a J-1 who is subject to the two-year home residence requirement. Am I subject also? A. Yes. A J-2 is subject to the same requirements as a J-1. Q. If the J-1 obtains a recommendation for waiver of the two-year home residence requirement, will that apply to the J-2 derivative applicants? A. Yes, if the J-1 receives a favorable recommendation from the State Department, which is forwarded to USCIS, and USCIS grants the waiver, then the J-2s will also benefit from the waiver. Q. Can a J-2 apply independently from the J-1 for a waiver of the two-year home residence requirement? A. J-2 cannot independently apply for a waiver. However, in cases of death or divorce from the J-1, or when a J-2 child reaches age 21, the Waiver Review Division may consider requests for waivers on behalf of the J-2 on a limited case-by-case basis. If the J-2 feels that his/her case merits special consideration by the Waiver Review Division, he/she will need to complete Online Form DS-3035, pay the processing fee, and submit the appropriate statements of reason. The Division will also need the J-1’s DS-2019/IAP-66 forms and divorce decree or death certificate, whichever is applicable. For a dependent J-2 son or daughter who has turned 21 the Division will also need a copy of his/her birth certificate.
Question Concerning Exchange Visitors who do not return home but move to another country, i.e. Canada. Q. For example, if the EV from country X completes the J program in the US, but instead of returning home to country X, moves to another country Y, i.e. Canada, and acquires landed immigrant status there, can the EV fulfill the two-year foreign residence requirement in Canada? A. No. The country which was your country of legal permanent residence at the time you received your J-1 status is the country to which you must return to fulfill the two-year foreign residence requirement.
Processing Fee Questions Q. Who must pay the processing fee?
A. The J-1 applicant is responsible for paying the processing fee, not the dependent J-2 spouse or child who will benefit from the J-1’s waiver, if one is granted. Q. How much is the processing fee and in what form must it be paid?
A. The fee is $215 and it must be paid in a U.S. currency cashier's check or postal money order drawn on a U.S. financial institution. The check should be made payable to "U.S. Department of State” and sent to a lockbox address in St. Louis. For further information, please review the Fee Required for J Waiver Processing page. Q. Where do I send the processing fee?
A. Follow the instructions on the Fee Required for J Waiver Processing page. Q. At what point in the application process is the processing fee sent? A. The fee should be sent with your completed Online Form DS-3035 at the beginning of the application process. Q. If I withdraw my application for a waiver recommendation, may I get a refund of my processing fee? A. No. Processing fees are NOT refundable.
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