Frequently Asked Questions and Answers

Frequently Asked Questions and Answers What do I do when I receive my assignment packet? Confirm with your Program Counselor that you received the packet. Check your documents carefully for errors. (Names are written in the English version - no accents, “Umlauts” etc.) Read all instructions. Pay the required SEVIS fee and visa application fee). Complete the form DS-160 online and the visa interview application form. Schedule your visa interview at the U.S. Embassy. Let your Program Counselor know the date of your interview. What visa fees do I need to pay? J-1 visa applicants have to pay the SEVIS fee of $180 US before making an appointment for the visa interview. In addition, a visa application fee of approximately $150 must be paid. You should pay both online and print out the receipt to save time. Detailed instructions are in your packet. Do I need to provide proof of health insurance or an airline ticket at the visa interview? No, neither is necessary at the interview. In fact, you should wait until you have been granted the visa before purchasing health insurance and your airline ticket due to the fact that your visa could be delayed or denied. Do you have any suggestions for my visa interview? Take a deep breath, answer questions honestly, and bring all required documents. Most interviews take 10 minutes or less and you may not have a chance to show all documents that you have with you. The #1 reason for most visa denials is failure to prove “strong ties to your home country”. You need to prove to the consular officer that you have reasons to return home at the end of your assignment. Keep in mind you are coming to the U.S. for an educational internship as part of a cultural exchange. You will also share your language and culture with students in the U.S. If asked whether you will work or study while in the U.S., the correct answer is “no”. Such activities would need either a student or a work visa. What do I do after being granted my visa? Immediately let your Amity Program Counselor, school coordinator, and host family know. Return the required documents to Amity. Your Program Counselor needs to receive these documents before you arrive in the U.S. Can I return the required documents to you by email or fax? Yes, you can scan/email or fax your documents to your Amity Program Counselor. This is the quickest way to return materials to the Amity office. Can I use my health insurance from home? The J-1 visa requires that all program participants follow regulations. If you chose a health insurance policy other than the one Amity is offering through Trawick International, you will need to send your Program Counselor the “Declaration of Insurance Corporation” (in your packet) and a copy of the policy. All policies must meet the minimum visa requirements: Medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness Repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500 Medical evacuation expenses in the amount of $10,000 Deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness If your own insurance plan is based on reimbursement, where you pay all treatment cost at the time of service and submit your paid bills to your insurance to be re-paid, we will need to know how you plan to cover potentially expensive medical costs.

My passport will expire soon, what do I do? Passports must be valid for six months past the expected stay in the United States. Before applying for your visa you need to get an extension or a new passport if your current passport will expire soon. Contact the U.S. Consulate where you will apply for the visa for specific questions.

Can I arrive earlier and stay longer than my listed program dates? J-1 visa holders can enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the Program Begin Date listed on the DS-2019 form. J-1 visa holders are also permitted to stay in the U.S. up to 30 days following the official Program End Date listed on the DS2019 form. Remember, the Program End Date is printed on your form DS-2019. Your visa expiration date may differ from the official Program End Date. Make sure not to book a flight earlier or later than the allowed 30-day period relating to your program dates. You should not arrive at your host school or host family’s home until the agreed upon date stated in your Amity assignment letter. Do not expect your host family to host you at their home once the assignment has ended. You are required to make your own housing arrangements for any periods before or after the official dates. If you withdraw from the program or Amity has to cancel your program for any reason before the official end date, you will have to leave the U.S. immediately. The 30-day grace period does NOT apply.

Can I travel during my Amity assignment? Yes, you are permitted to travel within the U.S. without restriction. It is important to keep in mind that travel plans can only be made during school vacations or official holidays. Do not ask for extra days off – your assignment has priority over personal trips! Ask visiting family or friends who want to visit you to schedule their travel plans during your offtimes. Do not expect your host family to house them! If you plan to travel to another country and want to re-enter the U.S. during your assignment you need a Travel Authorization signature on your original DS-2019 form. This signature states that you are in good standing with the program which will permit you to re-enter the U.S. following a trip home or a vacation outside of the U.S. The signature is valid for the duration of your assignment. You need to mail your original DS-2019 to your Program Counselor at least three weeks prior to your planned trip. Your J1 visa with travel authorization does not permit you to enter any other country. Depending on your citizenship, you may need a tourist visa for places such as Mexico and Canada. Some countries even require transit visa for travel. It is your obligation to inquire with your destination country’s Consulate if you need a visa. Plan early! You cannot travel in and out of the U.S. is during the 30-day “grace period” before and after your assignment dates.

Can you tell me more about my responsibilities to the school and my host family? General responsibilities are described in the Internship Handbook and also on your Training/Internship Placement Plan (T/IPP). Your school coordinator is the best resource for any specific information related to your assignment and host family questions. What do I have to do if I cannot come? Keep in mind that your host school and the students are counting on you to be there. You should not make the decision to withdraw lightly. If serious reasons prevent you from fulfilling your commitment to the host school and Amity Institute you must inform your program counselor immediately. We will have to cancel your visa sponsorship and inform the host school.

AMITY INSTITUTE 5030 Camino de la Siesta, Suite 206 ● San Diego, California 92108 ● U.S.A. Tel: (619) 222-7000 ● Fax: (619) 222-7016 ● Web: www.amity.org