What are the steps to obtaining a J1 visa? Can I do it myself or do I need to go through a lawyer?
410365
Well you didn't say for what purpose... J-1 visas can be used for a multitude of reasons... the most common are a high school exchange programs, university research and temporary univ. studies (6-12 months programs) also medical doctors commonly use it... the requirements for each of these situations vary quite a bit... \n\nAt any rate I can't think of any reason to use a lawyer to obtain this visa but to obtain a J-1 visas you need to go through an approved program, hence, you can't just walk in and say you want a J-1 visa...the program provides you with a specific form which you take with you at the embassy\n \n\nIt's hard to speculate since I don't know what you intend to do in the US, so let me know and I'll elaborate
919213
it's a Spouse Visa, you should have proper documents to apply for this and your spouse required documents  It is not difficult but needs time for processing and completion.\n\nIn cases where the person concerned is a spouse of a Japanese national, the following materials are required. \nDocuments certifying that the person concerned is a spouse of the Japanese national and his or her resident card. \nDocuments certifying the profession and the income of the person concerned or his or her spouse. \nA letter of guarantee by a person living in Japan. \nIn cases where the person concerned is a child or an adopted child of Japanese national, the following materials are required. \nA copy of the family registration of the Japanese national concerned, the birth certificate of the foreign national concerned, and other documents certifying the personal relationship between the parent and the child. \nDocuments certifying the profession and the income of the foreign national concerned or his or her father or mother. \nA letter of guarantee by the Japanese national concerned or another person living in Japan.
180624
Hi, I'm a Canadian working in the US.  It is very difficult to get a work visa  here.  You have to be able to show that there are no Americans who can legitimately do the work you're doing, or have a corporate sponsor in the States to file the visa paperwork on your behalf.  Even with that, until you can get a green card (and that took me 7 yrs, even being married to an American), you need to renew your visa periodically (I believe it's yearly).  Go to the INS website (I think they're under the Dept. of Justice now), but it'll take a lot.  BTW, I am still a canadian citizen.
511865
It all depends on rules and regualtions applied, the country you are from.\n\n1]First you should get an acceptance letter from an American company as your employer.\n\n2]You should then apply for a work visa H1-b. You should have the required papers and certificates to prove that the compnay made a right decision employing you and you are worth it.\n\n3]Then all depends again on day of your interview. If you are able to establish that all the expenses for relocating justify you and you have the required expertise that the compnay cannot find elsewhere, you will be lucky to get a visa.\n\nVisit the US embassy website of your country for detailed procedure.
502636
As long as you are not on a J-1 visa, you can petition for permanent residency. Being in a shortage profession, you will not need to go through the labor certification process and can immediately petition USCIS for residency once you have completed a certifying exam such as NCLEX or CGFNS and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).\n\nGood luck!
92949
if your J-1 stay was financed by US and China, you can try to get a waiver from Chinese authories; if it's 100% US funding, only the sponsoring agency can waive it (good luck with that).\n\nyou can try to prove that you will be repressed and abused if you return, e.g. if something like that happened to previous returning students in your field.
169223
Joshua,\n\nWhen your wife (J1) left to return to your country, you became an illegal alien. Then you waited one year after your J2 visa expired to inquire how you could apply for permanent residence. All these actions could jeopardize any chance you had to letigimize your stay. Your employer could have filled out a form requesting your change of visa status. My best advice to you is to consult with a reputable immigration lawyer as obtaining permanent residency is not as simple as filling out some forms. Good Luck!
878064
go to a lawyer who specializes in immigration
880473
Firstly, I must say that my wife and I have never regretted engaging an immigration attorney.  It made everything so much easier.  They can help with filing the petition, adjustment of status, work permit application and citizenship.  It will cost several thousand dollars over the course of about 3-4 years but, in my view, it was worth every last penny.  If you file something wrong they will send it back and you will go to the end of the queue.\n\nMy fiancee filed the petition in June 2001 (Vermont SC) and was approved about three weeks later.  I got the appointment at the doctor and the embassy in mid-October 2001 and was on the plane on Hallowe'en.  As embassies go, I gather London is one of the better ones, both in terms of getting an appointment and on the day you go there.  However, you should travel light, if you can.  Take a book to read - I was there for five hours and spent about 15 minutes actually doing something.  Have you found the US Embassy's London website yet?  It gives lots of good advice.  See the link below.  I also found the helplines well worth the money.  It's the same cost as calling an adult chatline, but much more satisfying!\n\nYou will have to keep on top of the paperwork at your end(police certificate and innoculations - sort out your innoculations NOW) it will be fairly pain-free (except the jabs of course!)\n\nOnce you are here you should get married as soon as possible so that you can apply for adjustment of status and work permit.  My wife and I did a very quick civil ceremony in front of the Mayor and then did the big wedding a few months later when we had time to plan everything.  I was able to work fairly soon because, for some reason, the immigration officer stamped my passport allowing me to work pending issuance of a work permit.  I gather that happens very rarely, so don't bank on it.  If I did not have that, I would have waited about four months for my work permit. \n\nPlease be aware that time scales vary greatly depending on which service center your file goes to.  I got lucky with Vermont - the other three generallyhave longer delays.  Go to the link below to see what the processing times are.  You can get that information without registering at the site.  I must observe that I got all my appointments or responses ahead of the posted times.\n\nAnyway, I hope this, and the other answers you will get, will help you.  You are about to enter a period of your life which can get quite stressful at times.  For instance you cannot usually visit the USA whilst your petition is pending.  All you can do is focus on the "prize."  For me, the prize is being able to take my lovely wife to an expensive restaurant tonight for our fifth wedding anniversary.  Good luck and welcome to the Land of Opportunity.
1103181
I guess you would have to go to the American embassy. If you were in America you would go to the English embassy, but since you're already in England...\nWhere did you get your visa, though, because that's probably where you would find a better answer.\nBut I agree with the other people who suggested to consult a lawyer.\nOr you could find other immigrants in there and ask them how they're doing everything and so.\nLucky b itch, I wish I could go to England.
975174
You may want to check out the immigration website and see how you go about it. check source below.
148994
Hi dak.  If marriage is out of question for now, then I would still suggest the student visa (F-1).  This is especially relevant if you guys are planning to attend college in US.  From experience, it shouldn’t be that hard to obtain a F-1 for Japanese citizens.  \n\nFirst, figure out which college you/him want to attend, then research their policy on international students.  Most colleges welcome international students (out-of-state tuition).  So if your boyfriend has relatively decent grades, speaks decent English (to pass TOEFL exam), and can get decent SAT scores (optional if you/him want to attend community colleges), all he has to do is apply for the college and as them to issue an I-20 (it’s like an “invitation” or “authorization” to attend that particular school).  Once the school sends and he receives the I-20, take it to the US Embassy/Consulate in Japan to apply for an F-1 visa.  The visa should be valid for several years.  \n\nJust remember that your boyfriend will need to show that he has some financial support (i.e. enough money for him to pay tuition and live in US).  Also, he has to establish that he has ties in Japan and intends to return upon completion of education.   Do not mention anything about having an U.S. citizen girlfriend, because immigration intent is ground for denying visa.  (This is not lying, because you have no plans to marry him yet.)  \n\nGood luck and “kanbade”!!
483090
J1 Visa Details\nThe J1 visa is designated for educational and cultural exchange programs designated by the US Department of State and the Exchange Visitor Program and Designation Staff. The J1 exchange visitor program is designed to promote the interchange of persons, knowledge, and skills in the fields of education, arts, and sciences.\n\nSome J1 visa holders are subject to INA §212(E) and will need to obtain a J1 Waiver before they can change their status to H1B, L1 or to adjust their status to permanent resident.\n\nSpouses and children of J1 visa holders may enter and remain in the US in J2 status. J2 spouses may apply for a work permit. J2 spouses and children may attend school in the US.\n\nFor whom is a J1 Visa appropriate?\nIndividuals coming to the US for training from programs approved by the DOS in the following areas:\n\nAu Pairs; \nCamp Counselors; \nCollege and University Students; \nGovernment Visitors; \nInternational Visitors; \nPhysicians; \nProfessors and Research Scholars; \nSecondary School Students; \nShort-term Scholars; \nSpecialists; \nSummer Work Travel; \nTeachers; and \nTrainees and Flight Training. \nWhat are the requirements for obtaining an J1 Visa?\nA nonimmigrant exchange visitor and his or her accompanying spouse and minor children may be admitted into the United States in J1 and J2 classifications, if the exchange visitor and his or her accompanying spouse and children each presents a SEVIS Form DS-2019 issued in his or her own name by a program approved by the Department of State for participation by J-1 exchange visitors. Prior to August 1, 2003, if exigent circumstances are demonstrated, the Service will allow the dependent of an exchange visitor possessing a SEVIS Form DS-2019 to enter the United States using a copy of the exchange visitor's SEVIS Form DS-2019. However, where the exchange visitor presents a properly completed Form DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J1) Status, which was issued to the J1 exchange visitor by a program approved by the Department of State for participation by exchange visitors and which remains valid for the admission of the exchange visitor, the accompanying spouse and children may be admitted on the basis of the J1's non-SEVIS Form DS-2019.
694133
look for an immigration lawyer...they'll give you some advice.
117622
You need a reason to get a visa to come to the US. Go to the US EMbassy.
968516
First, you must find an employer willing to sponsor you.\n\nYour employer will submit all the necessary paperwork and pay all the fees involved.
358586
go here\nhttp://www.lawyerment.com.my