J-1 Visa Processing Time: If you are dreaming of doing an internship or training in the US, you will need a J-1 visa as soon as possible. But sadly, the visa process can be a bit lengthy. Sometimes it takes a few weeks, sometimes it can take a few months. It all depends on how fast the visa processing is in your country and how quickly your documents are ready.
If you plan properly and complete each step wisely, your J-1 visa can come quickly. So let’s know what steps are there in this whole process and how you can speed it up.
J-1 Visa Processing Time
J-1 visa processing is divided into three main steps, and each step can take different time. Some steps are completed quickly, while some require review and approval by government officials.
- Obtaining the DS-2019 Form (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status)
- Scheduling the J-1 visa interview
- Getting the J-1 visa approval
- Now let us understand all these steps in detail.
How long will it take to get the DS-2019 Form?
The first and most important step in the J-1 visa process is to obtain the Form DS-2019. You will receive this form when all your documents are complete and approved by the visa sponsor.
To obtain the DS-2019 Form, you need to complete a few important things:
- Filling the online DS-2019 application form
- Submitting the required documents (including the “Training Placement Plan” made with your host company)
- Paying all the fees
- Confirmation of the internship or training by your host company
Once you have completed all these steps, the visa sponsor will check your form and approve it. Your DS-2019 form will then be mailed to your home address.
This process can take about 4 weeks (1 month). If you need a visa very quickly, you can opt for express processing, but you will have to pay an additional fee for this.
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How long will it take to schedule a J-1 visa interview?
Once you receive your DS-2019 form, you need to book an appointment for a visa interview by filling out the DS-160 form. But the problem is that the waiting time for a visa interview varies from country to country.
In some countries, you can get an interview in 1 week, while in others you may have to wait up to 6 months.
For example, here are the average waiting times for a visa appointment in some countries:
| Country | J-1 Visa Processing Time |
| Addis Ababa, Ethiopia | 192 days |
| Almaty, Kazakhstan | 79 days |
| Amsterdam, Netherlands | 190 days |
| Bujumbura, Burundi | 7 days |
| Phnom Penh, Cambodia | 9 days |
| Taipei, Taiwan | 32 days |
| Warsaw, Poland | 15 days |
If you want to check the visa appointment times for your country, you can check the U.S. Visa Appointment Wait Times website.
If the waiting time in your country is longer, try to book an appointment early and make the most of your time. During this time, you can prepare well for the interview so that you do not face any problems.
How long will it take to get a J-1 visa approval?
- Once you complete the visa interview, the officer decides on your visa.
- In some places, the visa is approved immediately after the interview, and the visa is stamped on your passport and returned. But in some cases, the visa is sent by mail, which can take a few days to a few weeks.
- If your case is a little complicated, it may be put into “administrative processing.” This means that your visa will be approved only after some more investigation. In such cases, it can take up to 180 days (6 months).
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Ways to get a J-1 visa fast
- If you want a J-1 visa fast, follow these simple tricks:
- Fill all your forms and submit documents as quickly as possible.
- Fill all the information correctly, so that the visa does not get rejected due to mistakes.
- Book a visa interview appointment as soon as possible.
- Keep checking your email and phone, so that you can get any updates immediately.
- If you need a visa very quickly, opt for express processing.
Conclusion
Getting a J-1 visa can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. It all depends on how quickly you submit your documents, the interview waiting time in your country, and whether your visa is approved immediately or not.
If you plan properly and complete all the steps wisely, you can get your J-1 visa quickly. So, be patient, have the right information, and move forward towards fulfilling your dreams!
