Sept 2, 2021 Free US Immigration Community Conference Call with Rajiv (Every Other Thursday)
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Nonimmigrant Visas
Discussion Topics, Thursday, September 02, 2021
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J-1 exchange visitors and NIE (National Interest Exception)
Question details
I am a Slovenian citizen, and I plan to do a 3-month student internship in the USA in December. I have everything arranged with my employer. The only question I have is, can I travel from the Schengen area on my J-1 visa? And if not, how can I come to the USA for my internship?
J-1 exchange visitors will be able to travel only if the visa is approved and they qualify for a national interest exception (NIE).
FAQ Transcript
Note: Where transcribed from audio/video, this is a verbatim transcript of the referenced audio/video media delivered as oral communication, and, therefore, may not conform to written grammatical or syntactical form.
Memorandum: Employment Eligibility for Derivatives of Conrad State 30 Program Physicians
USCIS does not believe that a J-2 dependent of a J-1 foreign medical graduate can change to H-1B status, or any other employment-authorized nonimmigrant classification (with the exception of T or U status) until the principal Conrad State 30 waiver recipient has fulfilled his or her three-year employment obligations in a medically underserved area.However, USCIS is open to reviewing current regulations and considereing whether steps should be taken to enable such J-2 dependents to engage in employment while in H-4 status.