J-1 Visa Orientation: What Your Sponsor Must Explain

What Must Your J-1 Sponsor Cover at Orientation?

Your sponsor must give you pre-arrival information and offer an orientation covering your J-1 program, US life, rights and reporting duties.

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Before You Arrive

Your J-1 Sponsor must give you clear pre-arrival information on program activities and cultural goals; employer details, duties, hours, wages, benefits and deductions; insurance costs; and other conditions and restrictions.

It must also explain the program's purpose, the Two-Year Rule, visa and SEVIS-fee procedures, travel and entry documents, housing and its expected cost, itemized fees, other likely expenses, and health care and insurance for you and any accompanying family.

Other required information covers Arrival & Reporting procedures and preparation for US life, including applicable Social Security, driver's license and banking procedures, employee rights, workers' compensation and maintaining lawful status.

Source: 22 CFR § 62.10: Program admin­is­tra­tion

What Orientation Must Include

Under § 62.10(c), orientation must cover at least:

• Life and customs in the US.
• Local community resources, to the fullest extent possible, such as transport, medical centers, schools, libraries and banks.
• Available health care, emergency assistance and health insurance coverage.
• Program length, location and main components, plus any stipend or wage and deductions, including housing and trans­porta­tion deductions.
• Sponsor rules you must follow.
• The sponsor's name and address, and names, emails and phone numbers for its Responsible Officer and Alternate Responsible Officers.
• Office of Designation contact details and the Exchange Visitor Program brochure or other appropriate or required State Department materials.
• The Wilberforce Pamphlet on rights and protections for temporary workers.
• Your duty to report changes of phone, email, actual US address and any site-of-activity change permitted without prior approval within ten calendar days.

Source: 22 CFR § 62.10: Program admin­is­tra­tion

Participation and Family

Your sponsor must offer an appropriate orientation to all exchange visitors and record participation. The rule encourages orientation for accompanying spouses and dependents, especially when the exchange visitor will be in the US for more than a year.

Source: 22 CFR § 62.10: Program admin­is­tra­tion

FAQs

Must orientation explain my pay and deductions?

Yes. It must cover any stipend or wage you will receive and deductions from wages, including for housing and trans­porta­tion. These also belong in the pre-arrival information. See Pay & Housing.

Source: 22 CFR § 62.10: Program admin­is­tra­tion

The Bottom Line

Pre-arrival information prepares you for entry and costs. Orientation explains your program, daily life, protections, contacts and reporting duties.

Related Terms

• 
  Arrival & ReportingEntering the US on a J-1 Visa and what you report to your sponsor afterwards, first your arrival, then any change of address, phone, email or site of activity.
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• 
  J-1 SponsorAn organization designated by the US Department of State to run J-1 exchange programs. Every J-1 participant needs one.
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  Health InsuranceCoverage every J-1 participant must have for the whole program, with minimum benefits set by US rules.
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  Pay & HousingWhat the J-1 rules say about pay and accommodation for interns and trainees. They set no wage, but you must be able to cover your whole stay, housing included.
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• 
  Lawful StatusKeeping J-1 status means following your exchange program's rules and staying within your authorized period of admission.
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• 
  Two-Year RuleSome J-1 participants must spend two years in their home country before getting an H or L visa or a green card.
  more

Sources

1. 22 CFR § 62.10: Program admin­is­tra­tion