J visas are issued for educational and cultural exchange programs designated by the Department of State and the Exchange Visitor Program and Designation Staff. At present, the Department has thirteen categories of exchange (two categories are included under “Student”). Each category of exchange has specific requirements and regulations. For additional information on J-1 visas, click here. (The Bureau of Consular Affairs Website)

If you are applying for a J-1 visa under the category of “Summer Work/Travel”, please note that the U.S. Department of State and the American Institute in Taiwan have established that, for Taiwan students, J-1 Summer Work/Travel programs must end no later than September 30, to enable students to return to Taiwan in time for the beginning of the fall semester. Please note that there is no exception for this rule, even if the student will not be returning to school in the fall.

All J-1 visa applicants must make an appointment and appear in person for interview at Taipei Office of the American Institute in Taiwan. Please bring the following documents to your interview:

• A current valid passport signed by the bearer .
• All old passports. Applicants who do not have their old passports due to loss or some other reason should present a certified copy of their entry and exit record. This record is issued by the Bureau of Entry and Exit, 15 Kuang Chou St, Taipei, Telephone 2388-9393.
• An application form DS-156 completed in English with one photo. Please include a Taiwan telephone number on the form. Local addresses may also be written in both English and Chinese for clarity. Addresses written in Chinese are not required. The photo should be 2 inches square (50 mm square) full-face (eyes facing camera) taken within the past six months. The head, from top to chin, should measure between 1 to 1 3/8 inch (25 to 35 mm). The photo should be in color with a white or off-white background.
• Male applicants between 16-45 years of age must also submit a completed form DS-157, Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application (in English).
• A completed form DS-158, Contact Information And Work History For Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant (in English).
• A non-refundable US$131 visa application processing fee. Please pay this fee in equivalent Taiwan currency at any branch of the Taiwan post office before you come in to apply. Our account number is 19189005. The account name is "AIT Visa Processing Fee". This receipt is valid for one year. In order to assist us with our record-keeping, we ask that one receipt be presented for each individual applicant.
• If you have changed your name, please include your previous name(s) on your application form DS-156 and bring a copy of your household registration record.
• Form DS-2019, signed and dated at the bottom.
• Persons applying for a J-1 visa with a DS-2019 form issued on or after September 1, 2004 are required to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee before making a visa application. You must submit your SEVIS fee receipt to the Consular Officer to confirm your payment of the SEVIS fee. If you have paid the SEVIS fee but decide to study at a different school, you must request for a fee transfer from your previous SEVIS ID number to the new one before applying for a visa. (For more information, click here.) All dependent visa applicants are not required to pay the SEVIS fee. (J visa applicants participating in a program who are sponsored by the U.S. Federal Government whose program number begins with "G-1", "G-2", "G-3", or "G-7" do not have to pay the SEVIS fee, visa processing fee, and the APC service fee. These applicants may come directly to the Nonimmigrant Visa Unit Information Window from 8:00 to 10:00 am on any working day. No advance appointment is needed but these applicants should complete their DS-156 by using the Department of State e-form.) For detailed information on how to pay the SEVIS fee, click here.
• Transcript from the most recent school.
• Evidence that you are qualified for the program and that sufficient funds are available to cover program costs.
• Evidence of strong social, family and economic ties outside the U.S. that will cause you to leave the U.S. after your visit.