This section outlines the fees associated with the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program. It elucidates each component, ensuring you are fully informed of your financial obligations as you engage in this enriching cultural exchange experience.
Reviewing J-1 visa applications and related documents, DS-2019 issuance, offering orientations, insurance coordination, monitoring and support, cultural exchange facilitation.
All J-1 participants must have insurance throughout their programs. The insurance provided by VISTA J-1 Exchange surpasses the minimum program requirements.
Mandatory U.S. government fee to fund the operation of the U.S. government’s SEVIS, which oversees the SEVIS database. This fee must be paid online before attending the visa interview.
| Service | Cost (USD) | Description of the Service | ||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Application Fee |
$300 |
Initial processing and eligibility verification fee. Non refundable |
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Sponsor Fee |
$1,100 (3~4 months) $1,300 (6 months) |
Base sponsor fee. Applies when the Partner organization (agent) successfully secures a host company placement for the candidate, or self-placed applicants have already secured a host company independently. |
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Sponsor Fee |
$2,100 (3~4 months) |
Premium Sponsor fee. Applies when Vista J-1 Exchange provides full host company placement matching and interview coordination. It includes all standard services plus matching the applicant with a qualified host company and coordinating interviews. |
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Insurance |
$39/56/89/month |
Fee varies by ages. All J-1 participants must have insurance throughout their programs. The insurance provided by Vista J-1 Exchange, LLC surpasses the minimum program requirements. |
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SEVIS Fee |
$220 |
Mandatory U.S. government fee to fund the operation of the U.S. government’s SEVIS, which oversees the SEVIS database. This fee must be paid online before attending the visa interview. |
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| Service | Cost (USD) | Description of the Service |
|---|---|---|
|
Shipping Fee |
$90 (International) |
Expense of sending a DS-2019 document to the participant in the world |
|
Visa Application Fee |
$185 |
Mandatory U.S. government fee for the processing of the visa application to schedule an appointment for the visa interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. |
|
Site Visit (if applicable). |
$250 |
Visiting and evaluating the host company’s site to ensure it meets program requirements. It is required only if the host company does not fulfill the minimum staffing or revenue criteria. |
|
Roundtrip Airfare |
$1,500 |
Estimated cost of airfare. |
|
Arrival Funds |
$2,000 |
The minimum amount of personal funds that all J-1 participants must have upon their arrival in the U.S for incidental expenses. |
|
Agent Fee (if applicable). |
$1,600 ~ $2,000 $600 ~ $1,000 |
Fee varies by program length. Recruitment, candidate screening, document collection, interview coordination, placement with host companies, pre-departure orientation, and administrative costs. |
|
J-2 Application |
$500 |
Issuance of a DS-2019 form per J-2 dependent and administrative fee for the eligibility verification. It does not include insurance coverage. |
|
J-2 Insurance |
$96/month (child) |
J-2 dependents may purchase their own insurance from their home country, provided it meets program requirements. |
|
Reinstatement |
$450 |
Restoring a participant’s active status after termination or invalidation. |
|
Expediting Fee |
$450 |
Give the application priority processing and places it at the front of the queue. |
|
DS-2019 Reprint |
$150 |
If a new DS-2019 needs to be issued due to visa denial, loss, damage, or theft, an additional fee applies, excluding shipping costs. |
|
Change of Host Company |
$1,100 |
The fee covers administrative costs for transferring a participant to a new host company, including eligibility verification and SEVIS updates. Approval by Vista J-1 |
Please note that government fees (SEVIS/Visa) are non-refundable. For a full breakdown of our VISTA J-1 Exchange refund schedule in the event of visa denial or cancellation, please click here
Participants should plan for monthly living costs while in the United States. Actual expenses vary by location and lifestyle, but estimated monthly costs may include:
Some internship or training placements may offer a stipend to help offset living expenses. Stipend amounts vary by host organization and location and typically range from:
Withdrawal After Application submitted: Participants who request withdrawal from the program after submitting the application but before the DS-7002 Form is issued are eligible for a refund. Participants will receive a full refund of the program fees paid, excluding designated non-refundable fees (such as the Application Fee, SEVIS Fee, Shipping Fee, and Site Visit Fee- if applicable). Refunds will be processed within 30 days of receiving the official refund request.
Withdrawal After Issuance of the DS-7002 Form: If a participant chooses to withdraw from the program for any reason after the DS-7002 form has been issued, no refund will be granted. This policy accounts for the administrative expenses associated with creating the SEVIS profile and generating the DS-2019.
Visa Denial: In the event of a J-1 visa denial, participants must notify Vista J-1 Exchange, LLC within 5 business days and provide proof of the denial. This proof must include:
Upon verification, the participant’s SEVIS record will be canceled, rendering the DS-2019 invalid. The participant will be eligible for a refund of the program fee, minus $450, which will be retained to cover the administrative costs of Vista J-1 Exchange, LLC. The refund will be issued within 30 days of receiving the required documents and request.
Embassy/Consulate Delays: Vista J-1 Exchange, LLC holds no financial responsibility for delays outside our control at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, including appointment shortages or visa processing delays. Refunds will not be issued for any program time lost as a result of such delays.
COVID-19 Related Withdrawals: Participants who withdraw due to COVID-19 after the issuance of the DS-2019 form are not eligible for a refund. However, they may postpone their participation and apply their payment as a credit toward a future program.
Termination Due to Non-Compliance: Participants will not receive a refund if they are dismissed from the program for violating rules, regulations, or policies. This also applies if the host company terminates the placement due to misconduct or policy breaches.
Cancellation After Arrival: No refunds will be granted if the program is canceled after the participant has arrived in the United States. Additionally, if the participant is dismissed or laid off by the host company for any reason—including COVID-19 impacts—no refund will be issued.
Host Company Cancellation: If the host company cancels the placement after the DS-2019 has been issued but prior to the program’s start date, a refund will not be available. The participant is permitted to defer their program and apply their payment as a credit for a future placement.
Non-Refundable Fees: SEVIS fees, visa application fees, mailing/shipping fees, and insurance fees are non-refundable.
Overstay and Visa Infractions: Participants are required to disclose any past visa infractions or overstays during the initial application process. If participants fail to report this information and their visa is subsequently denied as a result, they will be ineligible for a refund.
We offer a variety of convenient payment methods to make your experience seamless. Choose from credit card payments, bank transfers, or PayPal options to meet your preferences. This flexibility ensures that all participants and host organizations can easily manage their fees.
Certain fees are strictly non-refundable. The U.S. government Visa Application Fee ($185) is non-refundable even if your visa is denied. Administrative fees, such as the Change of Host Company fee ($1,100), are also non-refundable if your request is denied by VISTA J-1 Exchange.
The mandatory SEVIS Fee ($220) must be paid online before you attend your visa interview. The Visa Application Fee ($185) is paid when you schedule your appointment at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
Yes. The program fees cover your sponsorship and administrative costs. You are responsible for your roundtrip airfare (estimated at $1,500), housing, and daily living expenses. You must arrive in the U.S. with a minimum of $2,000 in personal funds to cover initial costs before your first stipend is paid.
If you fail to adhere to the rules, regulations, and requirements set by VISTA J-1 Exchange, your program may be terminated prematurely. In this event, you will be required to return home immediately without any refund of your program fees.
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