A J-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued by the U.S. Department of State to exchange visitors participating in programs that promote cultural and educational exchange. All applicants must meet eligibility criteria and be sponsored either by a private sector or government program. Berkeley Lab sponsors both the J-1 Short-Term Scholar visa category (maximum stay in the U.S. of six months), as well as the J-1 Research Scholar category (maximum stay in the U.S. of five years).
If you have been offered employment at Berkeley Lab or will become a Berkeley Lab affiliate in the near future, a Visa and Immigration Services Advisor will contact you with the necessary information to help facilitate the J-1 visa issuance process. You will be asked to complete preliminary forms that will help your advisor create the DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility) document, which is required prior to applying for the J-1 visa stamp. If you are currently located inside the United States and are transferring your J-1 program to Berkeley Lab, a Visa and Immigration Services Advisor will help you coordinate and process the transfer.
If you are a current Berkeley Lab employee holding a J-1 visa, or have questions about the J-1 visa in general, please contact a Visa and Immigration Services Advisor.
For further information about the J-1 visa, please visit the U.S. Department of State website..
J-1 Visa Form: Request for DS-2019 Form for J-1 Visa Application
J-1 Medical Coverage Notice:
All J-1 exchange visitors (as well as their accompanying spouses and dependents) must have insurance in effect that covers them for sickness or accidents during the time of their exchange visitor program. Required coverage includes:
- Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness
- Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000
- Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $50,000
- A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.
If your employment at Berkeley Lab includes medical coverage benefits, you must select either the Kaiser plan or the Health Net Blue & Goldplan, as these are both Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans which meet the U.S. Department of State’s requirements as listed above. If your employment at Berkeley Lab does not include medical coverage benefits, or you choose to waive Berkeley Lab offered medical benefits, please refer to the following document to help in your selection of an adequate medical plan: Optional Health Insurance Providers for J-1.
Kaiser and Health Net Blue & Gold do not include Repatriation of Remains or Medical Evacuation coverage. BETINS International Health and Travel Insurance is a company which offers Repatriation of Remains and Medical Evacuation coverage as a stand-alone option. Please refer to the BETA plan, if you need to purchase only Repatriation of Remains and Medical Evacuation coverage as a supplement to your current plan.
