On this page
What the J-1 visa is
The J-1 visa covers exchange programs the State Department administers under 22 CFR part 62. Applicants apply through a designated sponsor, which enters their record in SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) and issues Form DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status).
The State Department lists 14 categories: Au pair and EduCare · Camp Counselor · Government Visitor · Intern · International Visitor · Physician · Professor and Research Scholar · Short-term Scholar · Specialist · Student (college/university) · Student (secondary) · Summer Work Travel · Teacher · Trainee.
Spouses and unmarried children under 21 may apply for J-2 visas. Degree study outside an exchange program uses the F-1 visa.
Categories Thai applicants use most
Eligibility and duration of the categories Thai applicants use most, under the current 22 CFR part 62.
| Category | Key eligibility | Program length | Regulation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Intern | Enrolled full-time at a post-secondary institution outside the US, or graduated no more than 12 months before the program begins | Up to 12 months | 22 CFR 62.22 |
| Trainee | A degree or professional certificate plus 1 year of related experience outside the US, or 5 years of experience outside the US | Up to 18 months; hospitality and tourism up to 12 months | 22 CFR 62.22 |
| Au pair | Aged 18 to 26, secondary school graduate or equivalent, proficient in spoken English | Up to 1 year, extendable; child care no more than 10 hours a day and 45 hours a week | 22 CFR 62.31 |
| Summer Work Travel | Full-time post-secondary students outside the US who have completed at least one semester | Up to 4 months during the long break; no extensions | 22 CFR 62.32 |
Interns and trainees. Sponsors must complete and sign a Form DS-7002 Training/Internship Placement Plan before issuing Form DS-2019, and may not place participants in unskilled or casual labor, child or elder care, or positions involving more than 20 per cent clerical work.
Au pairs. Au pairs are paid weekly in conformance with the Fair Labor Standards Act, must complete at least six semester hours of academic credit, and the host family contributes up to USD 500 towards coursework.
Work and Travel. See US Work and Travel.
Applying for a J-1 visa in Thailand
Step one: choose a program with a designated sponsor and receive Form DS-2019 once the sponsor has entered your record in SEVIS.
Step two: pay the SEVIS I-901 fee before visa issuance. Under 8 CFR 214.13 the standard J-1 fee is USD 220; au pairs, camp counselors and Summer Work Travel participants pay USD 35; participants in federal government-sponsored programs (codes G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7) pay nothing.
Step three: complete the DS-160, pay the application fee and book an appointment. The State Department asks F, M and J applicants to set all social media profiles to public.
Step four: attend the interview with your passport, DS-160 confirmation and Form DS-2019. Under the policy effective 1 October 2025, interview waivers do not cover J-1 visas.
Step five: you may enter the United States no earlier than 30 days before the program start date.
Validity, length of stay and work
Under the State Department's reciprocity schedule, J-1 and J-2 visas for Thai nationals are valid for up to 60 months with multiple entries and no reciprocity fee.
The program period follows Form DS-2019. After the program ends, a J-1 has a 30-day grace period to depart. A J-1 may perform only the activity on Form DS-2019; any other work requires sponsor approval.
The rule ending D/S. 91 FR 44976 also covers J visas, but the U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts enjoined it nationwide on 14 September 2026 and the government appealed on 30 September 2026. See F-1 student visa.
Proposed exchange program rule. The State Department proposed 91 FR 48021 on 30 July 2026 to revise program termination, extension and reinstatement, and to remove the separate au pair extension provision. The proposal is not in effect.
The two-year home-country requirement (INA 212(e))
INA section 212(e) (8 U.S.C. 1182(e)) provides that a J-1 who is subject to it may apply for an immigrant visa, permanent residence, or an H or L visa only after residing and being physically present in the country of nationality or last residence for an aggregate of at least two years following departure from the United States. The State Department adds that a person subject to the requirement cannot change status in the United States until it is met.
There are three grounds.
First, the program was financed in whole or in part by a US government agency or by the government of the country of nationality or last residence. Thai government scholarship holders may therefore be subject.
Second, the J-1's country is on the Exchange Visitor Skills List for that field. The current list is 89 FR 97693, applicable from 9 December 2024, and it does not include Thailand.
Third, the person came or acquired J status to receive graduate medical education or training.
Those subject to the requirement may seek a waiver through the State Department's Form DS-3035 (J-1 Visa Waiver Recommendation Application).
Visa Connext J-1 service
Visa Connext reviews Form DS-2019 and the DS-7002 plan, assesses the two-year rule against the program's funding, prepares the DS-160 and supporting documents, and prepares applicants for the interview. See our US visa service.
Frequently asked questions
How is a J-1 different from an F-1?
A J-1 is for exchange programs run by sponsors designated by the State Department and uses Form DS-2019; an F-1 is for full-time study at an approved school and uses Form I-20.
How much is the SEVIS fee for a J-1?
Under 8 CFR 214.13, USD 220. Au pairs, camp counselors and Summer Work Travel participants pay USD 35, and federal government-sponsored programs with codes G-1, G-2, G-3 and G-7 pay nothing. The fee must be paid before the visa is issued.
Source: 8 CFR 214.13
How long is a J-1 visa valid for Thai nationals?
Up to 60 months with multiple entries under the reciprocity schedule. Time in the United States follows the program on Form DS-2019.
Source: Reciprocity: Thailand
Do J-1 holders have to return to Thailand for two years?
Only those subject to INA 212(e): programs funded by the US or Thai government, or graduate medical training. Thailand is not on the Skills List of 9 December 2024, so that ground does not apply.
Source: 8 U.S.C. 1182(e) · 89 FR 97693
How old must a US au pair be?
22 CFR 62.31 requires an age of 18 to 26, a secondary school diploma or equivalent and proficient spoken English. The program lasts up to one year and may be extended.
Source: 22 CFR 62.31
How long can I intern in the US on a J-1?
Interns up to 12 months; trainees up to 18 months; hospitality and tourism up to 12 months, under 22 CFR 62.22.
Source: 22 CFR 62.22
How long can I stay after my J-1 program ends?
A J-1 has a 30-day grace period after the program end date to depart the United States.
Source: J-1 Visa: Common Questions
Sources and legal texts used on this page
- U.S. Department of State — Exchange Visitor Visa
checked 30 Oct 2026 - 8 U.S.C. 1182(e) — INA section 212(e)
U.S. Code 2024 edition (govinfo) · checked 30 Oct 2026 - Public Notice 12555 — Revised Exchange Visitor Skills List, 89 FR 97693
applicable from 9 Dec 2024 · supersedes the 2009 list · checked 30 Oct 2026 - 22 CFR 62.22 — Trainees and interns
last amended 75 FR 48559 (11 Aug 2010) · checked 30 Oct 2026 - 22 CFR 62.31 — Au pairs
last amended 73 FR 34862 (19 Jun 2008) · checked 30 Oct 2026 - 22 CFR 62.32 — Summer work travel
text per 77 FR 27609 (11 May 2012) · checked 30 Oct 2026 - 8 CFR 214.13 — SEVIS fee
last amended 87 FR 75911 (12 Dec 2022) · checked 30 Oct 2026 - U.S. Department of State — Reciprocity: Thailand
checked 30 Oct 2026 - U.S. Department of State — J-1 Visa: Common Questions
checked 30 Oct 2026 - U.S. Department of State — Waiver of the Exchange Visitor Two-Year Home-Country Physical Presence Requirement
checked 30 Oct 2026 - 91 FR 48021 — Exchange Visitor Program: Termination, Extension and Reinstatement (proposed rule, FR Doc. 2026-15450)
published 30 Jul 2026 · 60-day comment period · not in effect · checked 30 Oct 2026 - 91 FR 44976 — Establishing a Fixed Time Period of Admission (FR Doc. 2026-14439)
enjoined 14 Sep 2026 · checked 30 Oct 2026 - Presidents' Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration — Duration of Status Litigation
appeal 30 Sep 2026 · checked 30 Oct 2026 - U.S. Department of State — Announcement of Expanded Screening and Vetting for Visa Applicants
last updated 25 Mar 2026 · checked 30 Oct 2026 - U.S. Department of State — Interview Waiver Update, 18 September 2025
effective 1 Oct 2025 · checked 30 Oct 2026