J-1 Immigration Regulations

The purpose of the J-1 program is to provide foreign nationals with opportunities to participate in educational and cultural programs in the United States and return home to share their experiences, and to encourage Americans to participate in educational and cultural programs in other countries.

The decision on whether to grant a student or exchange visitor visa is entirely up to U.S. Consular Officers. Virginia Tech is not responsible for any delays in processing visas or decisions on the part of the U.S. government to refuse visa applications.

International students on a J-1 visa must obey the immigration laws and regulations of the United States. They are responsible for learning, understanding, and obeying the U.S. laws and regulations that apply to them. Those who fail to do so risk being placed in removal proceedings by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services at any time and barred from re-entering the country in the future.

More information about maintaining J-1 student status is available from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and from Virginia Tech International Support Services.

J-1 visa holders, as students at the LCI and Virginia Tech, must meet all academic and student conduct requirements as part of maintaining their status. LCI Global Initiatives advisors will provide needed information about the Form DS-2019 and arrival information as well as housing, program requirements, and activities.