Where to go for good J-1 Visa help

[lizaanne 0]

Hello all!

I have a friend who lives in England, she is attending university there, and would like to come to America on a J-1 visa. Is there a site like this out there that I can point her to? She is doing this on her own, and can use all the help she can get.

Thanks much!!!

~Liza

[lizaanne 0]

If I need to move this to a better location - please let me know that as well.

Thanks!!!

~Liza

[Saddle Bronc 124]

Has your friend considered F-1 instead (as J-1 is rather inflexible)?

[lizaanne 0]

I don't believe so - I don't know that she is even aware of the difference. That's part of what I hope to find for her, someplace that will help her sort out those types of decisions.

Thanks!

~Liza

[Fischkoepfin 1]

For J1 (exchange student visa), she needs a sponsor. F1 is the category given to all other international students. If she's doing it by herself, she doesn't qualify for J1, which isn't bad because J1 comes with some conditions attached.

She should check the website of the international student office at the university she plans to apply to (every school has such an office) or run a search on Google within the domain .edu.

She can also just go ahead and apply. She needs to show funds for out-of-state tuition, cost-of-living, books and supplies, and she will also have to purchase health insurance for the time she's a student. International students are not allowed to work off-campus, unless it's an emergency (only F1, J1 can't do that).