Exchange programs

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR APPLICANTS WHO ARE NEITHER COSTA RICAN CITIZENS NOR RESIDENTS

If you wish to apply for a J visa at Embassy San Jose and you are neither a permanent resident nor citizen of Costa Rica, please be aware that it may be more difficult for the consular officer to determine your visa eligibility than were you to apply in your home country.  Please also be advised that any questions or concerns that arise about your qualifications for the visa may result in unforeseen delays.

ABOUT THIS VISA

This visa category (J visa) is designed for applicants planning to participate in programs approved by the US Department of State to teach, study, research, demonstrate special skills or receive training, or to participate in a program to receive graduate medical education.

The category also includes programs approved by the US Department of State to place people into firms, institutions and other agencies for on-the-job practical training in specialized fields for periods not exceeding 18 months. Attendance at English language programs and seminars, workshops or short courses directly related to the practical training may be allowed. The J visa also enables visitors to travel for observations appropriate to practical training, to train in US techniques and methodology, to contact American counterparts, and to promote cross-cultural contacts between workers, professionals, researchers and students in the general interest of international exchange. This may include camp counselor, seasonal work such as at ski resorts and summer camps or as au pairs.

Before applying for a visa, you must have been accepted into an approved program. Evidence of your acceptance is the form DS-2019, sent directly to you by the US sponsor and registration in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). 

In addition to the above items, you may be asked to present evidence and documents that establish your purpose and qualifications. You may be asked to submit documentation of a residence abroad to which you will return after your visit to the US. 

The spouse and minor children (under age 21) of the principal applicant are eligible to apply for visas as dependents (Note: unmarried partners and de facto/ common-law marriages are not accepted for US visa purposes). Each dependent must complete a separate application, and submit separate processing and other visa fees.

Residency Rules

Many programs under the J-category are supported partially or wholly by U.S. government agencies. If they are, or if the applicants are to receive graduate medical education or training, regardless of the source of financing, applicants are bound by the following condition: J-visa recipients cannot apply for immigration to the US and for certain work visas (H and L-visas) until the applicants have returned to and resided and been physically present in their own country of nationality or last residence for at least two years. This condition may also apply if the area of study or research is included in a skills list agreed to by the US Department of State and the applicant's government. Before accepting a J-visa, you should inquire to see if this condition applies or not.

For persons wishing to participate in medical programs, there may be additional requirements. You can ask about these requirements by writing to the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) located at 3624 Market Street, Level 4, Philadelphia, PA 19104-2685. The telephone number is 1-215-386-5900.

Do you want to learn more about visa application process and US-VISIT Program? CLICK HERE!

Contact Information

If you have any additional questions please contact at consularsanjose@state.gov. Please allow up to 5 business days for a response.

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