Effective Jan. 5, the U.S. Department of State has implemented new regulations that increase the responsibilities for J-1 visa program sponsors. Amid the technical changes, five major changes have been implemented which will require many sponsors to adjust their policies and procedures in order to meet heightened regulatory compliance.

Specifically, entities that sponsor individuals for these exchange visas will now need to undertake additional efforts to verify the English proficiency of prospective program participants, provide more comprehensive orientation for participants and track their whereabouts and activities, run background checks on program administrators, and implement greater security of the credentials that allow one to obtain a visa. Further, effective May 15, sponsors will need to ensure that exchange visitors have increased levels of health insurance coverage.

Background

With a storied history stretching back to 1961, the J-1 visa is a nonimmigrant (i.e., temporary) visa designed to encourage international exchange between the U.S. and other countries. According to the Department of State, every month there are more than 170,000 exchange visitors (EVs) in the United States, working, studying or teaching through their respective programs. J-1 visas are awarded in 15 different categories, including interns, au pairs, trainees, camp counselors, students, teachers, research scholars, physicians and a handful of other program types. In 2012—the most recent year for which data is available—11,006 EVs participated in programs based here in New Jersey, which at the time was home to 87 designated sponsors operating in most of the program categories. Spouses and unmarried minor children of J-1s can also enter the U.S. under the J-2 category, ensuring family unity during the exchange period.