New Japanese J-1 Visa Program

The U.S. Department of State recently announced that the U.S. and Japan have established a new J-1 Exchange Program – the Japanese Specialist Program. The new program specifically facilitates the exchange of Japanese language and culture specialists to observe U.S. educational methods and to share their knowledge of Japanese educational methods with U.S. colleagues.

The program is expected to expand cultural exchange opportunities and promote long-term mutual understanding and international cooperation with Japan throughout the United States.

The State Department’s J-1 Specialist programs are for experts in a field of specialized knowledge who come to the United States to exchange knowledge with their American counterparts. The maximum duration of these programs is generally one year.  These specialists will be able to remain in the U.S. for up to three years.  Placement of the specialists is managed through State Department-designated sponsors who handle the screening and selection of participants. Individuals selected for program receive a form from the sponsor which they use to apply for a visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate.

According to the Department of State, the Japanese Specialists “will share their specialized knowledge of Japanese language and education in the United States at community based non-profit organizations, U.S. Government offices, secondary schools or post-secondary academic institutions offering Japanese, and similar types of institutions to increase U.S. local communities’ understanding of Japan, its culture, and language.”

https://j1visa.state.gov/programs/specialist

For more information, please contact our office.