Under a new Memorandum of Cooperation with Japan, the US Department of State (DOS) has extended the permitted duration of stay under the J-1 visa classification for Japanese language and culture specialists from one year to three years.
The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program facilitates work-based and study-based exchanges in a range of professional fields. The “specialist” category is established for experts who can thereby visit the United States to observe, consult, or demonstrate their special skills.
Eligible Japanese-national specialist are issued a J-1 nonimmigrant visa valid initially for one year, with the option of a one-time extension for up to an additional 24 months, at the sponsor’s discretion.
Japanese exchange visitors are expected to share their specialized knowledge of Japanese, language, education and culture in community-based non-profit organisations, US government offices and secondary and post-secondary schools and institutions.
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