🇺🇸 United States · Work Visa
J-1 Exchange Visitor
Cultural and academic exchange visa. Common categories: research scholar, intern, trainee, professor.
- Scoring
- Employer-sponsored
- Timeline
- 1mo–4mo
- Est. cost
- $2K
- Category
- Work Visa
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- Designated J-1 sponsor (university, programme)
- Programme-specific eligibility
- Possible 2-year home residency requirement (subject to waiver)
Who this visa fits
J-1 is heavily used in academic / postdoc paths. Flag the 212(e) home-residency trap early — it can block H-1B and green card without a waiver.
Other United States visas
Work Visa
O-1A Extraordinary Ability
3-year work visa for individuals with extraordinary ability in sciences, business, education, or athletics. Requires a US sponsor.
Work Visa
O-1B Extraordinary Ability (Arts)
Same O-1 framework but for arts, film, and TV. Slightly different criteria emphasising commercial/critical success.
Permanent Residency
EB-1A Extraordinary Ability (Green Card)
Self-petitioned green card for individuals at the very top of their field. No employer sponsor needed.
Permanent Residency
EB-1B Outstanding Professor / Researcher
Green card for academic researchers and professors with 3+ years of experience and a US job offer from a university or research institution.
Permanent Residency
EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver)
Self-petitioned green card waiving the job-offer requirement, on the basis that the candidate's work is in the US national interest.
Work Visa
H-1B Specialty Occupation
Lottery-based work visa for specialty occupations. Requires a sponsoring US employer and a bachelor's degree or equivalent.
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