J-1 visa guide: every step from DS-2019 to your interview

The J-1 visa is the U.S. visa for exchange visitors. Participants in Work and Travel, internships in America, summer camps, high school exchange and academic research programs all travel to the United States on this visa. The U.S. Department of State promotes these programs under the name "BridgeUSA", and they run through sponsor organizations designated by the Department.

A J-1 visa is always tied to a program. First you're accepted by a sponsor and receive your DS-2019, then you apply for the visa. In short, the order never changes: program, document, visa. Our programs that lead to a J-1 visa:

• Summer Work and Travel: university students who work and travel during their summer break
• Intern / Trainee: students, recent graduates and professionals interning in America
• Camp and Travel: camp counselors at American summer camps
• J-1 High School Exchange: students aged 15–18 who spend a semester or a year at an American high school
• Research Scholar: academics conducting research at U.S. institutions

The DS-2019, officially the Certificate of Eligibility, shows that you qualify for a J-1 program and is the foundation of your visa application. Only the sponsor organization running your program can issue it; consultancies, employers and schools cannot.

It lists your name, program category, sponsor, program start and end dates, and your SEVIS ID. When it arrives, sign it and compare the details with your passport; even a small spelling difference can cause problems later on.

• In Work and Travel, the DS-2019 is issued after the sponsor approves your job offer.
• In Intern / Trainee, you also need a signed DS-7002 Training Plan alongside the DS-2019.
• In Research Scholar, the DS-2019 is usually issued by the host university or institution.

The SEVIS fee (SEVIS I-901) is a system fee that every J-1 participant with a DS-2019 pays before the visa interview. It's $35 for Work and Travel and Camp and Travel, and $220 for interns, trainees, high school exchange students and research scholars (as of September 2026, subject to change). Spouses and children in J-2 status don't pay it.

• Where? On the official payment site, fmjfee.com, with a Visa, Mastercard or American Express card.
• What do you need? The SEVIS ID on your DS-2019, your program number, and your name and date of birth exactly as they appear on the form.
• When? At least three business days before your interview, so the payment has time to show up in the system.
• Receipt: Print your payment confirmation and bring it to the interview.

The SEVIS fee is non-refundable. However, if your visa is refused and you reapply for the same program category within 12 months of your first payment, you don't pay it again.

The DS-160 form is the U.S. Department of State's online visa application, completed in English. It covers your identity and passport details, your education and work history, your travel history and your program information. The barcoded confirmation page you receive at the end is required for your appointment and your interview.

• Consistency: Your name, dates, sponsor and program details must match your DS-2019 and passport exactly.
• Social media: List every social media username you've used in the last five years.
• Photo: Upload a photo taken within the last six months, on a white background.
• Save as you go: Note down your application ID and save the form regularly so you can pick up where you left off.

Mistakes spotted after you submit may require a correction or a brand-new form, which can affect your appointment plans. That's why we go through the form with you line by line before you hit submit.

Once your DS-160 is complete, you pay the visa application fee ($185, as of September 2026, subject to change) and book your J-1 visa appointment. In Türkiye, interviews take place at the U.S. Embassy in Ankara and the U.S. Consulate General in Istanbul. Payment and booking are both handled through the official visa appointment system. The visa application fee is non-refundable.

• Plan early: Wait times vary by city and season; we track the current figures with you on the official visa wait times page.
• The spring rush: Most Work and Travel and Camp and Travel applicants interview between February and May. We recommend booking your appointment as soon as your DS-2019 arrives.
• In person: For every J-1 application, the Work and Travel visa included, the interview takes place in person at the embassy or consulate.

The interview is short and in English. After security screening, your documents are collected, your fingerprints are scanned digitally and you have a brief conversation with a consular officer. Questions usually revolve around three topics: the program you'll join, your study, work and family ties to Türkiye, and how you're covering your costs.

The officer usually shares the decision at the end of the interview. If you're approved, your passport is returned to you with the visa; some applications may be held for additional administrative processing. The visa decision rests solely with the consulate. The best preparation is knowing your program well and talking about yourself naturally and honestly. For sample questions and practice tips, read our guide to J-1 visa interview questions.

Once you have your passport with the visa, you can book your flight. You can enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the program start date on your DS-2019. Keep your passport and DS-2019 in your carry-on throughout the journey; officers may ask to see them when you arrive.

• Your I-94 record: When you arrive by air, your arrival/departure record (I-94) is created electronically. After you arrive, download it from the official I-94 website and check that the details are correct.
• Sponsor check-in: When you arrive, you check in with your sponsor to activate your program.
• Health insurance: You need valid health insurance for the entire program; your sponsor either provides it or approves your coverage.
• When the program ends: You have 30 days after the end date on your DS-2019 to depart the U.S. You can't work during this period, but you can travel.

The validity dates on your visa don't show how long you can stay in America; your stay is set by the program dates on your DS-2019.

As you prepare for the 2027 season, keep these four points in mind:

• Social media: Online presence is also reviewed for J visa applications, and applicants are asked to set their accounts to public. Simply make sure your declaration is complete.
• Personal interview: Every applicant, high school students included, attends the interview in person.
• Up-to-date fees: Official fees are updated from time to time; we confirm the amounts with you before you pay.
• Start early: Sponsor, employer and appointment calendars give early starters a wider range of options.

Preparing for Work and Travel? You'll find every cost item, official fees included, on our Work and Travel fees page. For other common questions, see our FAQ.

Some J-1 participants must spend a total of two years in their home country after their program before they can move on to certain U.S. work visas or permanent residence; when this applies, it's noted on the visa. Turkish students who join Work and Travel, Camp and Travel, Intern / Trainee or high school exchange with their own funding are generally not subject to this requirement, because Türkiye is not on the Exchange Visitor Skills List.

If your program is funded by the Turkish or U.S. government, for example if you're going abroad for research on a government scholarship, the requirement may apply to you. Even then, short trips to the U.S. remain possible. Academics can find the details on our Research Scholar requirements page.

This guide is based on the official sources below; during your application, we check the latest information on these pages with you:

• Official BridgeUSA J-1 website (j1visa.state.gov)
• Exchange Visitor visa (travel.state.gov)
• SEVIS I-901 payment site (fmjfee.com)
• U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Türkiye (tr.usembassy.gov)
• I-94 records (i94.cbp.dhs.gov)

This guide was prepared by the Bridge USA Türkiye Program Team based on official sources. Last updated: September 24, 2026.