J1 Research Visa Application Process

Special thanks to Dr. Suryanarayanan Balakrishnan for his support and guidance.

Links for more detailed information about the procedure and information for different visas.
https://www.immihelp.com/us-visa-procedure-from-india/
https://www.immihelp.com/

J1 Visa Application Process -

1. Fill out and submit the DS-160 https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/. 
• You can submit your DS-160 anytime before your biometrics appointment.
• If you need to make any changes to your DS-160 you can retrieve it before submitting it.
• The process to change information is different, please let me know if you require this information.
2. Visit this link and click on "Create Account" in the Apply for US Visa section. -https://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/index.html?firstTime=No
3. Click on "New Application/Schedule Appointment" after logging in.
4. Fill out the application.
5. Make the payment for the US Consulate Fees. 
• You can make this payment online or at the banks mentioned. 
• For making the payment at the bank, you will have to print out the CGI cash deposit slip. https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn%3Aaaid%3Ascds%3AUS%3A0fe208cf-0c3f-4ca4-9f26-f47b1bbf3bb9
• After making the payment at the bank, you will get a receipt with the CGI reference number and Bank reference number. https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn%3Aaaid%3Ascds%3AUS%3A0469d580-2868-4ba9-92b3-df13526c7a10
• After a day or two, this bank reference number will get updated in your application. 
6. Then you can select the dates for your Biometrics and Interview. 
7. Make the payment for the SEVIS fees/I-901 fees at https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.html
• Payment Instructions Before Proceeding:
• You must have a complete and accurate Form I-20 or DS-2019 If you do not have an I-20 or DS-2019 or if the information on the form is incorrect, contact your school official or program sponsor.
• Do not pay for a dependent child or spouse who is on an F-2, M-2, or J-2 visa. There is no I-901 SEVIS fee due for a dependent child or spouse for these visa types.
• Do not pay again if you know that you have made a mistake after you submitted your information. Instead, send an email to fmjfee.sevis@ice.dhs.gov and explain what information may need to be changed.

Documents required -

1. Appointment confirmation
2. DS-160 confirmation
3. DS-2019 
4. Passport

Additional documents you may require -

1. SEVIS I-901 Payment Confirmation
2. Payment Acknowledgement-US Visa Fees
3. Financial support documents -
• If funded by parents, you will require
• Cover Letter https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn%3Aaaid%3Ascds%3AUS%3A2be28224-956d-4418-a47e-4e1c079ca13b
• Parents' detailed bank statements.

The following items are not allowed inside for your appointments -

• Mobile phone
• Smartwatches
• Other battery-operated or electronic devices such as 
• digital diaries, pagers, cameras, audio/video cassettes, compact discs, MP3s, floppy disks, flash drives, memory sticks, Blue Tooth devices, laptop or tablet computers, and portable music players
• Large shoulder bags/purses, travel bags, backpacks, briefcases, or suitcases. 
• Only bags that can be carried by hand will be permitted like unsealed plastic bags containing application-related papers, small cloth bags, and zip folders.
• Food or drink items
• Cosmetics (including, but not limited to, spray perfume/cologne and talcum/baby powder)
• Sealed envelopes or packages
• Flammable items such as Cigarettes, cigars, matchboxes, lighters
• Sharp objects, including scissors, pocket knives, pen knives or nail files
• Weapons, weapon-like objects, or explosive material of any kind
• Long Handled Umbrella's (longer than 40 cm when closed) 

This list is not exhaustive. Other items may be prohibited at the discretion of the security staff.

Biometrics appointment -

1. Go to the consulate 30 mins before your scheduled time with the following documents.
• Appointment confirmation
• DS-160 confirmation, and
• Passport
2. You will be called inside based on the time of your appointment.
3. Once inside, you will be in a queue, and your documents will be checked.
4. You will be called for a security check, and your DS-160 and Passport details will be checked if there are any changes to be made you will be asked to do so at this time. 
• I had to change my name as my passport mentions my full name in the given name and there is no surname mentioned, but as per the visa requirements if this is the case then the entire name should be mentioned as the surname and FNU must be entered under the given name as the surname is a required field and cannot be left empty.
5. After completing the security check, you will be called inside for fingerprinting and a photograph. 
6. This concludes your Biometrics appointment.

Interview appointment -

1. Be early on the day of your interview 30-60 mins before your appointment as the queue may be long.
2. You will require the following documents -
• Appointment confirmation
• DS-160 confirmation
• DS-2019 
• Passport
• Additional documents you may require -
• SEVIS I-901 Payment Confirmation
• Payment Acknowledgement-US Visa Fees
• Financial support documents -
• If funded by parents, you will require
• Cover Letter. https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn%3Aaaid%3Ascds%3AUS%3A2be28224-956d-4418-a47e-4e1c079ca13b
• Parents' detailed bank statements.
3. After checking your passport and appointment confirmation, you will be allowed inside and will have to wait for your turn to go for a security check and then for your interview.
4. During the interview some questions they may ask are
• Where will you be working?
• What research will you be doing?
• Who will be funding your stay?
• What is your plan after completing your research work?
5. The interviewer will then tell you if you got the visa or not and will sign the DS-2019 and take your passport for visa printing.
6. Keep the DS-2019 with you. It is a vital document.

Passport collection/delivery - https://www.ustraveldocs.com/in/in-niv-passportretrieve.asp

1. There is a pick-up option and delivery option. I went with the pick-up option as it is faster, and you will get your passport within 2-3 days of your interview.
2. You can track your passport using this link - http://ustraveldocs.com/in/in-niv-passporttrack.asp
3. You will need to carry the following documents when you go to pick up your passport
• Appointment confirmation.
• Your original government-issued photo ID for identification.

• If a representative is collecting your passport from the document collection office on your behalf - even in case of family members - the representative must present -

• Their own original government-issued photo ID for identification
• A photocopy of your government-issued photo ID
• A letter of authority, signed by you, authorizing your representative to collect your passport. The letter of authority must contain the following information:
• Your representative's full name as shown on their government-issued photo ID
• Your name

• If the applicant is under the age of 16, the following documents are required:

• An original, signed letter of authority from either of the applicant's parents
• A clear photocopy of the government-issued photo ID belonging to the parent who signed the applicant's letter of authority
• The representative's original government-issued photo ID

Note: In the case of a group/family, a single letter of authority with the required information for each of the applicants will be accepted.

More information about J1 Visa - https://j1visa.state.gov/participants/common-questions/

• You may not arrive more than 30 days before the program start date shown on your DS-2019.  Upon completion of your exchange program, you have a grace period of 30 days to depart the United States. (i.e. you can arrive 0-30 days before your program start date).
• Your program sponsor may extend your program up to its maximum length. If an extension is granted, a new Form DS-2019 will be issued to you reflecting the change. More information for this is available on https://j1visa.state.gov/participants/current/adjustments-and-extensions/
• For information on J1 to H1B transfer visit https://www.nnuimmigration.com/j1-to-h1b-visa-transfer/ and https://www.immi-usa.com/j1-to-h1b-visa/
• Research Scholar J-1 Exchange Visitor category has a minimum stay of three weeks, and a maximum continuous stay of 5 years.
• Please read 
• https://ecuadoctors.com/j1-vs-h1b-visa-residency/
• https://j1visa.state.gov/programs/physician
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J-1_visa#J-1_categories

Please let me know if there are any changes or updates to be made to this post and if you found this post helpful, in the comments section below.

Thank you.