Is ESTA needed with a J-1 Visa?
I'm going on an internship in the USA this Summer. I already received my J-1 Visa but I was wondering if I still have to apply for ESTA. Is this the case?
Best Answer
Visa holders do not need to apply for ESTA to travel to the US for the purpose of their visa.
If you intend to travel to the US for a different purpose than the one permitted by your visa, i.e. you want to go on a holiday but not start your exchange program, then you need to apply for ESTA to travel under the Visa Waiver Program. (But if you do that, as I understand it, you have to exit and re-enter the US to change to J-1 status.)
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Can I enter the US with a J-1 visa?
Once you have obtained your J-1 visa, you are ready to travel to the U.S. Immigration regulations allow you to enter the U.S. no earlier than 30 days prior to the start date of your program indicated in Section 3 of your SEVIS Form DS-2019.What type of visa is a J-1 visa?
The J-1 exchange visitor visa is for educational and cultural exchange programs designated by the Department of State, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The Q-1 visa is for participation in certain international cultural exchange programs.Can I leave the US with J-1 visa?
Generally, a J-1 visa holder may not travel outside the U.S. for more than 30 days without being considered to have \u201cabandoned their program\u201d. Any exceptions must be approved, in advance, by your J-1 visa sponsor.What is a J-1 visa waiver?
A J-1 visa waiver eliminates the two-year home residency requirement and allows physicians to change into H-1B visa status that will allow them to stay in the U.S. to practice in a federally designated primary care or mental health Health Professional Shortage Area (HPSA), if recommended by an interested federal ...How To Get a J-1 Visa in USA
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