The process for determining which civil servants are eligible to participate in overseas training programs is based on criteria provided by the government of each fellow’s home country. Government officials who are selected via this process and intend to participate in the fiet fellowship program must indicate their research goals and objectives to fiet staff. Fellows are then matched with American host organizations according to their professional background.

The host matching process takes into account the research objectives, professional background, and position of the official who is applying for the program. This process typically takes 2-4 weeks, and must be approved by the applicant’s supervisors.

The process for matching applicants with a host organization and sponsoring their visa applications are conducted independently. Typically, applicants are matched with a host organization before they receive visa sponsorship, as the match must be approved by both parties, and an official letter of recognition must be exchanged between the host organization and the applicant’s government office. Once the match has been approved, applicants may then begin the visa sponsorship process. The total duration for these processes is approximately 6 to 10 weeks.

The J-1 visa is for visitors who will participate in the exchange visit program designated by the U.S. Department of State. The J-2 visa is granted to the dependents of the J-1 visa holder, and the dependents are eligible for free public education.

Each prospective government fellow must be interviewed in order to obtain a visa. Interviews are conducted at U.S. consulates in the home countries of prospective fellows. Once a client submits the required documents, including the DS-2019 issued by the U.S. host university, the client can be interviewed. When making reservations for visa interviews, clients must provide the program number stated on the DS-2019, as well as the SEVIS codes for everyone planning to enter the U.S.

Visas must be obtained in the home countries of government fellows and, therefore, cannot be extended within U.S. territories. However, the DS-2019 may be extended even if the J-1 visa has expired. In these circumstances, government fellows may legally stay in the U.S. during the permitted period, but will be subject to restrictions upon exiting and entering the U.S.

Host university officials must sign the Travel Validation section of the DS-2019. This signature allows government fellows to freely exit and enter the country. The signature is valid for six months and must be renewed upon expiration.

Government fellows may work with a J-1 visa. However, based on the exchange visit program, fellows can only work for the host university or the institute designated by the host university, as shown on the form titled IAP-66 (Certificate of Eligibility), which is issued by the host university or sponsoring institute.

Spouses or children with J-2 visas can submit a work permit application (Form I-765) to the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) and earn authorization to work. In order to receive this authorization, J-2 visa holders must provide proof that they are working to support themselves financially, rather than working to support the J-1 visa holder.

Once a travel date has been established, fiet will schedule the orientation and inform government fellows of the date and time they must arrive. Orientations must occur within 30 days of their arrival in the U.S. During this orientation, government fellows will meet with an authorized official at the host university to discuss the duties of the fellowship.

The documents required for enrollment in school include a vaccination confirmation and proof of enrollment for elementary students, as well as transcripts for middle and high school students. All documents must be provided in English. Other documents should be provided after settling in the U.S., such as the visa, passport, and proof of address.

A J-2 holder is dependent on the J-1 holder. Thus, it is best for a J-2 holder to enter the country with the J-1 holder. If this is not possible, the Travel Validation section of a J-2 holder's DS-2019 must be signed by the authorized university official in order to allow a J-2 holder to enter the country separately.

The insurance criteria for a J-1 visa may differ depending on the host university. For accurate information, fellows should consult the insurance criteria provided by the university.
The following is the minimum standard applicable to a J-1 visa:
Medical Benefit ($100,00), Repatriation of Remains ($25,000),
Medical Evacuation ($50,000), Deductible per Accident or Illness ($500)
Insurance may be purchased through fiet before entering the U.S. or through the host university after entry.