Comments on: J-1 Visa – Internship (INT) & Professional Career Training (PCT) Programs

By: Jamie

Jamie — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 14:43:08 +0000

Hi there,

I am wondering if you are on a J-1 Professional Career Training visa and your host company closes or goes bankrupt, whether you can change jobs within your field for the duration of your visa?

Any advice would be most appreciated.

By: Kamo

Kamo — Wed, 06 Jul 2011 20:25:37 +0000

Hi there, I’m going to the US for 4 months with an additional 30 days to travel so a total of 5 months via the J1 Work And Travel.. I’m a student studying IT in a certificate qualification, I was wondering is it possible to change my visa to H1B when I get to the US? I’m just so uncertain about it.. Thanks oh and how long does it take?

By: e3visa

e3visa — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 04:32:58 +0000

Hi Sarah,
You will find it very difficult to get either the H1B or E3 visa with no completed degree and around 7 years of experience, especially as it not even fully applicable to the role. Your best option is to complete your degree and then follow your plan.
Cj

By: SK

SK — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 04:17:21 +0000

Oh, and I’m Australian, so I don’t know if that gives me any more options..

By: SK

SK — Tue, 25 Jan 2011 04:16:15 +0000

Hello!
I’m currently a student but hoping to find work in film (my degree is in arts/English) if I can find a job within the film field I will do so on the J1 WAT visa. How easy is it to transfer to either the E3 or H1B visa WITHOUT completing my degree? I have 7.5 years experience in my current customer service job, but obviously none of these attributes really apply to the role I would have in the film industry. Would I be better off applying for an E3/H1B instead? Keeping in mind I have no certified qualifications for the job I am applying for, and no degree.
Sorry for the somewhat convoluted question! Thanks if you can help me even a little.

By: e3visa

e3visa — Sun, 21 Nov 2010 04:08:50 +0000

Hi Mist3rh,
If the 2 year home residency rule is applied to your J1 visa that prevents you being under any type of visa in the US for 2 years unless you get it waived.
Cj

By: Mist3rh

Mist3rh — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 05:52:31 +0000

Hi E3visa, sorry, i may be double posting,but you mentioned PCT has a 2 year home residency requirement. I think that may not be correct (perhaps?) as I have not found any such information on the travel.state.gov website regarding this.

What is does say is that once you complete a PCT program you are unable to undetake “another PCT” unless you return home and stay for 2 years. It does not say that you cannot convert to any other visa or return back on any other visa (other than the J1 trainee visa).

Could you clarify this for me please?

thanks

By: e3visa

e3visa — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 15:27:58 +0000

Hi Jrpabs,
You can transfer from the J1 WAT to the J1 PCT in theory, although it is rarely done because the J1 WAT is usually so short to allow time to do it. People generally leave the country and come back. If you are subject to the 2 year rule, it doesn’t matter if you leave the US early, it still applies.
Cj

By: jrpabs

jrpabs — Thu, 17 Jun 2010 18:01:35 +0000

Hi there, few questions…can one transfer from the J1 WAT program to the J1 PCT? Also if you’re on the J1 PCT, and you end it before the maximum length of the program, would you still be subject to the 2 year rule?

Thanks

By: e3visa

e3visa — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 17:14:01 +0000

Hi Alan, Yes you would fall under the J1 Visa PCT program and thus the 2 year home residency rule given your description of the offer and your background. You would be eligible for the 2 year rule waiver, however this is neither a guaranteed nor a quick process. Your best option would either be to extend your Internship if possible, hopefully to the maximum 18 months, thus allowing you more time to get the waiver. Alternatively, if you could get your employer to hire you on an E3 visa instead of the J1 visa, then you will not be as limited, even if it is just for the 3 months. You should note there are minimum wage criteria per role and per location with the E3 visa. The E3 visa also is not for Internship so that would not be mentioned anywhere in your application as it would need to be a specialty occupation. This is a broad term but it needs to be met along with the Bachelors Degree condition. An E3 visa extension can be done within the US (just ensure you apply well in advance) or a renewal can be done outisde the US in closer places like Canada or Mexico. Good Luck, CJ