J1 visa

Social Security Numbers for J-1 Visa holders

November 21, 2018 by Chiranth Nataraj

Visas are legal documents that serve to indicate that a person is authorized to enter the issuing country. This fundamental document allows people to travel to a specified area for a specified amount of time. The J-1 is a non-immigrant visa that U.S. immigration uses to allow exchange visitors to participate in science, art, and educational exchange programs. According to the rules of the program, applicants must fulfil eligibility criteria and obtain sponsorship from either a government program or any private sector organization. For those who will receive compensation from their U.S. host organization, a Social Security Number (SSN) is a requirement.

The Need For A Social Security Number
If you plan on receiving compensation by your U.S. host organization, you will need an SSN. The reason is that you will pay taxes on all of the income you earn in the U.S. as a J-1 trainee or intern. The card serves many purposes including employment eligibility. Your employment eligibility verification takes place when your host organization enrolls you into their payroll system. Even if the program is unpaid, an SSN is excellent to have because the SSN may be a requirement to open a bank account, rent an apartment, or to make a large purchase. Be sure to speak with your host organization in advance to determine if they require an SSN.

Applying For Your Card
There are instructions for applying for your SSN on the Social Security Administration website. You must go to a local Social Security office and apply in person for your Social Security number. The process is straightforward, and the office can assist you with any questions that you may ask of them. Although it is a simple process, it can take two weeks so plan accordingly. The following steps are required to obtain an SSN:

1. Validation of a visa is a requirement for getting an SSN. Upon arrival to the U.S., participants must submit a U.S. residential address.
2. Go to a local Social Security office with the required documentation to apply. The following are required documents:
• Form SS-5. The SSN application form is available here.
• Form DS-2019
• Letter of sponsorship
• I-94 Record
• Passport with J-1 visa
• Form DS-7002
• Offer letter from the host company
3. Wait for SSN processing which may take up to two weeks. The agency will mail the card to the residential address provided. Your host organization can add you to their payroll without an SSN. A participant can show a receipt of having applied for a card, or the host organization can provide a temporary number for the payroll until the number arrives. An individual must submit their SSN to their host organization as soon as it comes.

Social Security Card Type
Social Security offers three types of cards. You will receive the number two card that is valid for work only with DHS authorization. This particular card is for people with temporary admittance to the U.S. for employment. If you feel that the card you receive is incorrect, contact your visa sponsor and go to a local Social Security office to correct the problem. If you have an SSN from prior work experience, know that it is a lifelong number and you do not need to apply for a new SSN.

J Visa Medical Insurance
As you prepare for your work experience, remember that you are required to purchase medical insurance for your visit. J visa insurance plans meet the requirements set forth by the U.S. Department of State. You can buy exchange visitors insurance for five days up to one year at a time. This insurance will keep you compliant with J-1 visa requirements and may cover:
• Emergency medical expenses
• Emergency medical evacuation
• Accidental death and dismemberment
• Prescription drugs
• Return of mortal remains

Protect Your Identity
It is vital to keep your number safe. Remember there is a connection between your number and your tax information, payroll information, bank account, driver’s license, and other sensitive information. Identity theft is common, and people steal numbers to use identities to engage in criminal activity. The American Immigration Council will not need to know your information for any reason, and neither do most people. Protecting your information is your responsibility.

Working in the U.S. while on J1 Visa

January 4, 2016 by Chiranth Nataraj

If you want to work in the United States, but live in another country, you will need a special Visa. There are many Visas available for working in the U.S. One of them is the Exchange Visitor (J) non-immigrant visa. This visa is only for people who are seeking to not only work in America, but also study in the country.

Working-in -US-J1

More about the J1 Visa
Working and studying in the U.S. under a J1 Visa means that you are part of an academic program. This program provides education and training that is not offered in the country where you reside. For example, if you want to learn how to fly a plane, but your country does not provide that training, you can come to the U.S. for that instruction under a J1 Visa.

While in the U.S., students can work to develop their new skills. After the completion of the program, students must return to their home country. They must stay there for at least two years before they can apply for permanent residence in the U.S.

Qualifying for the J1 Visa
The J1 Visa is part of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). There are specific requirements of the INA to be able to get the J1 Visa. Only the consulate will be able to determine if someone is qualified for the visa. Usually, they have to fall into these criterion:

Plan to be in the U.S. temporarily
Able to afford expenses in the country
Ties to the home country to ensure they will return to it after they complete the program

Documents will need to be provided to ensure those interested meet all of the criteria. Usually, the consular officer at the U.S. embassy in the country of origin will be able to help with the verification process. He will be able to tell you exactly what you need and how to get what you need. The most important thing is to enter into a program that is supported by the U.S. If it is not, you will not be able to enter into the country or get a J1 Visa.

To get the J1 Visa, you have to be part of the Exchange Visitor Program. This program is part of the Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation, which is the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs part of the government. You can learn more about them on their website.

Organizations Sponsoring a J1 Visa
Many organizations in the United States are sponsoring exchange programs for those interested in training. Some of these are:

North Carolina State University
Mastercard
Tesla Motors Inc.
The Humane League

There are thousands more you can work with depending on the job you would like to train for and work. There is a J1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program website that allows you to choose from many different jobs, such as:

Au Pair
Camp Counselor
College and University Student
Government Visitor
Intern
International Visitor
Physician
Professor and Research Scholar
Secondary School Student
Short-Term Scholar
Specialist
Summer Work Travel
Teacher
Trainee

After choosing one of these roles, you can see a list of organizations/programs offering them. The next step is to contact them to see how to get started with enrolling in the program.

Final Words of Encouragement

As you are going through the process of getting your J1 Visa, remember to have patience. It’s usually not a quick and easy process. The U.S. has to make sure the program is included, and that you are who you say you are, so the country doesn’t put itself at risk. While no one is saying you are trying to harm Americans, others have done this in the past, and that has become a concern when allowing people into the country.

The good news is that you do have this opportunity. Just because you live in a country that doesn’t provide you the possibilities you want and need, it doesn’t mean you can’t pursue your dreams. The U.S. is the land of opportunity, and while you may need to take some extra steps to take advantage of them, it’s worth it. It’s a great way to get the knowledge and skills you need to not only set you up with a good future for yourself, but for your country as well. In addition, if you find that you enjoy America, you can become a permanent resident after two years of working in your country.

Consider the J1 Visa and then see about getting the training you need in the U.S. It may just be the best decision for your life.

J1 Visa Health Insurance Gives You Total Cover

July 12, 2013 by Chiranth Nataraj

J1 visa health insurance plan offers coverage for doctor visits, hospitalization, maternity, mental health and pre-existing conditions.

Every month, almost 170,000 students and scholars come on a J1 visa to study, work and teach in the US. As a J1 visa holder, a student or a scholar can come to the US to participate in an exchange visitor program. Whether you are visiting the US as an exchange visitor, scholar or a research student, having health insurance is a great option because most often, exchange visitors find it difficult to cope with health care expenses in US. Your insurance plan will help you deal with your hospital expenses in the best possible way, as it offers coverage for doctor visits, hospitalization and mental health. Whether it is getting ambulance services on urgent notice, buying prescription drugs or getting hospital care, health insurance offers total medical protection.

J1 visa health insurance is exclusively designed for exchange visitors to the US. It offers a great flexibility in terms of insurance duration. You can choose it for one month or you can get a plan for five years. All these plans are renewable which makes it easy to choose from monthly, quarterly or annual plans. It is easy to find a plan tailored to your specific needs to get several benefits. If you are traveling to the US on a J1 visa, you and any family members traveling with you will be required to have health insurance coverage for the entire duration of your trip. If you are traveling with your family, then you should consider an insurance plan that caters to the health needs of your family members.

Most schools and sponsoring organizations provide mandatory health insurance that meets the J1 visa requirements. If your school or sponsor does not provide health insurance coverage, then you can purchase your own plan and take your pick from a variety of options. Remember, if you do not have visitor health insurance, your visa will no longer be valid and your sponsor will have no choice but to terminate your exchange visitor program. Do remember that there are some regulations concerning your health insurance plan. Your plan should provide benefit of a minimum of $50,000 for accidents and illnesses. There is a deductible limit of $500, which means that a deductible should be less than this limit for an illness or accident. The repatriation limit must be around $7500; the rating of your insurance company must be “A” or more. If the exchange visitor wants to satisfy the requirements of health insurance as per the rules of the home country, then such a plan must be backed by full credit and faith of the home country. However, you need not worry, as there are many insurance providers in the US who are specialized in providing health insurance policies that conform to all the regulations set by the Department of State.

With the wide range of benefits offered by health insurance, exchange scholars can get financial aid for medical expenses. This comes in handy especially in a country like the US, where medical care is very expensive. Before purchasing insurance, it is good to research your options and choose a plan that best meets your needs. Remember to read the plan brochure to understand the benefits and the coverage of the plan you are purchasing. Sometimes, pre existing conditions are not covered, that is, any injuries or illnesses that exist at the time or prior to the activation of the insurance plan. It is a good idea to go through the details of your plan for any conditions and exclusions. With a health insurance plan in place, exchange students and scholars visiting the US can pursue their academic programs in peace.

English Language Courses in The US With J1 visa

July 5, 2013 by Chiranth Nataraj

Visit the US on a J1 visa to improve your English language skills. ESL classes focus on teaching how to talk, read and write in English.

For international students interested in learning English or improving their language skills, the US is the most sought after destination. English as a second language program (ESL) is the perfect program for students who want to improve their level of English. ESL classes teach English language skills depending on the student’s abilities, interests and needs. All programs however focus on teaching conversational English, reading, writing and vocabulary.

J1-Visa-Sponser

There is an intensive program that teaches academic English to students, a general English program for people wanting to improve their English for travel or business purposes, where they can learn the skills necessary for communicating in different situations. Business English courses are good for people who want to learn the vocabulary and communication skills that help in their business. Many people take up ESL programs for personal or professional reasons and not just for academic credit. They may be taken to prepare for college or university admissions in the US; some programs even offer bridge programs that can help students transfer into an academic program. They are designed for any level of English proficiency and usually require 20-30 hours per week of intensive study of English language. Most ESL classes have small classes, so students can get individual attention from their teachers. Besides studying English, students also participate in the cultural and social activities of the school.

English language programs may also be taken to improve a specific reading skill such as reading, writing or grammar. They help in adjusting to the culture and campus life in the US; they can even help in advancing your international business skills or achieving personal goals. ESL courses offer a lot of flexibility can be full time or part time and can last from one week to one year. Once you define your priorities, you can narrow down your choices and find the right English language learning program for you.

Read more for information on Employment for students on J1 Visa

J1 Visa Exchange Student Program

June 27, 2013 by Chiranth Nataraj

J1 exchange program allows students proficient in English from all over the world a chance to visit and study in the US for a year.

The student exchange program offers a life changing experience for foreign students; it gives a great opportunity for foreign students to study in the US while living with an American host family or at a boarding school. To qualify as an exchange student, applicants must be accepted into a certified secondary school exchange program in the US. Participants must be aged between 15 and 18 ½ and should not have completed more than 11 years of primary and secondary education. Students must have proficiency in English and meet specific academic health and character requirements. A J1 visa for exchange student program is usually granted for 1 year and extensions are not permitted.

girl student

Typically, sponsoring organizations look for students who are independent, mature and have an open mind. Sponsors monitor the students program and also help them with any issues during their stay in the US. They ensure that they get a written approval from the students and from their parents and make sure that exchange students do not stay with relatives in the US. Sponsors will have to screen potential host families and give them all the details about the exchange student program and the duties and obligations of the host family. They should get a detailed profile of the host family and the home environment and also get personal references from the school or community.

Host families must ensure that the student has a comfortable stay in their home; they must provide the student with room, board, bathroom facilities and study space. The host family must ensure that the student is in a safe and caring environment where he or she is treated like a member of the family. At the end of their stay, exchange students go back home with a new found sense of independence and memories of a lifetime.