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Frequently Asked Questions
About Visas Issues, Restrictions and Return Home Requirements

What type of visa do I receive?
You are a participant in an educational exchange program approved by the US Department of State and will receive a J-1 visa. Under the terms of the J-1 visa, you are allowed to work for up to 4 months at sites approved by the sponsor. The visa does not allow you to work as a domestic, au pair, camp counselor, or in the medical field. In Nov. 1986, the US Congress passed a new Immigration Law requiring employers to verify that all employees – both US citizens and non-resident aliens—are eligible to work. The company supervisor will ask to see your passport and a copy of the Exchange Visitor Visa Form called DS-2019. This was the form that served to obtain the visa. The Immigration officer will stamp it and leave it in your passport. It should remain there at all times. We encourage you to make photocopies of your passport and the DS-2019 and keep them in a safe place. These are the documents that prove your work eligibility and identity. You will also be asked to sign a form (I-9) that the host company keeps in its files. The form proves that the company has verified work eligibility.

Can I leave the U.S.A. and re-enter on my J-1 visa?
During your time off, we do not recommend leaving the U.S.A. given the short time frame of the program and commitments that have been made to the employer. However, if necessary, you may leave and re-enter the U.S.A. without obtaining a new visa, provided the visa and DS-2019 form have not expired, you hold a
multiple-entry visa, the passport is still valid, and you have the copy of the DS-2019 form in your possession. Before you leave the United States, however, ASPIRE must coordinate a signature on the DS-2019 form to show that you are still in good standing with the work program. ASPIRE staff will coordinate this signature of the DS-2019 Form if:

• Your supervisor approves of the leave in writing to ASPIRE indicating the exact date of departure and return, the reason for the leave, and that you are in good standing.
• The above is sent to ASPIRE Worldwide along with the copy of the DS-2019 form at least 15 days before the planned departure.
• You send it in a self-addressed, stamped envelope in which to return your DS-2019 form.

Can I leave the U.S.A. early?
You will sign an agreement that commits you to a certain company and time frame. If you don't fulfill the commitment that will be very disappointing to the company as they will be counting on you for assistance. Thus, there can be no refund of any kind once you are in country. If you leave your position early, without your employers consent or with valid reason your program will be cancelled and you will be required to leave the USA within 10 days. However, If you have to leave due to an emergency, our program will off course do everything possible to ensure a smooth departure and transition.

Can I choose to extend my visa once arrived in the U.S.A.?
Unfortunately, no. According to the visa regulations, you cannot work more than 4 months. Plus, you have an additional 30 days in which to leave the U.S.A. for home. Many students use the 5th month to sightsee and travel. They must go home after this period. To confirm the exact dates for departure, the white card (I-94) stapled into your passport by the US Immigration officer upon entry to the U.S.A. states the length of time you are allowed to stay in the U.S.A. In most cases it will be marked "D/S." This stands for "Duration of Status." It means that you can stay until the expiration date on the DS-2019 form plus 30 days for travel providing you remain in compliance of the visa conditi ons. During the 30-day travel period, you may be a tourist in the U.S.A., but may not work. If you leave the U.S.A. during the 30-day travel period, you cannot be re-admitted on the J-1 visa. If you wish to stay beyond the 30-day travel period, you must leave the country and reenter on another visa (tourist, student, etc.) The ASPIRE staff cannot help with this process. To stay illegally after the 30-day extension can prevent you from receiving future U.S. visa or immigration status.

What if I lose the copy of the DS-2019 Form?
You must have the copy of the DS-2019 Form for the visa to be valid. If this is lost, ASPIRE will replace the form for a $50 fee. A good safeguard is to always keep the copy of the DS-2019 Form in the passport and have copies put elsewhere in a safe place. If you lose your passport, please contact your nearest Embassy or Consulate as soon as possible so that they can assist you in obtaining new documentation.