J-1 Culinary Students
The "J" exchange visitor visa is a nonimmigrant visa given to foreign participants in a “J Visa Program”--a program designed to promote the interchange of persons, knowledge, and skills in the fields of education, arts, and sciences. Participants include culinary students at all levels as well as culinary trainees obtaining on-the-job training with restaurants and/or culinary institutions; and international culinary specialists coming for the purpose of traveling, observing, consulting, conducting research, training, sharing, or demonstrating specialized knowledge or skills in the culinary arts. For instance, a Japanese master sushi chef may come to the United States in J-1 status for a period of time in order to provide hands-on instruction to sushi chefs at a U.S. restaurant. A J-Visa Program will serve as an exchange visitor sponsor who will sponsor the foreign participant(s) so that they may receive a J Visa.It is very important to remember that each J-1 category (i.e.) J-1 Trainee, J-1 Instructor, etc. has its own requirements for eligibility and duration of stay. Except for the short-term scholar category, all categories have a minimum required stay of three weeks. The J-1 Culinary Student may study in the United States for up to 24 months. The J-1 Culinary Trainee may train in the U.S. for up to 18 months, and the J-1 Culinary Specialist has a maximum length of stay of one year to complete the program.