What Do I Need to Apply as a Non-Korean Citizen?
Anyone physically present in Korea may apply for a nonimmigrant visa (NIV) here. Exchange visitor (J1) and dependent (J2) visa applicants who do not hold a Korean passport must also submit:
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A passport valid for travel to the United States with any plastic/leather cases removed.
(Note: A passport with a validity date at least six months beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in the United States is required for certain countries, unless country-specific agreements provide exemptions. Korean and certain other country passports are exempt from this requirement.) -
A completed and signed Electronic Visa Application Form (EVAF DS-156) with photo (See "photo requirements") for each applicant.
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Form DS-157, Supplemental Nonimmigrant Visa Application, is required to be submitted with Form DS-156 by all male nonimmigrant visa (NIV) applicants between the age of 16 and 45, regardless of nationality or place of application.
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A completed Contact Information And Work History For Nonimmigrant Visa Applicant (DS-158) for aged 16 and above applicants.
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Proof of legal status in Korea (i.e., Korean visa, Korean alien registration card, etc.).
- For students, official school transcripts of your record
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A receipt from Shinhan Bank for the visa processing fee. The fee may be paid at any of the bank's branches in Korea. There is a branch only a short walk from the Embassy; click for map. A receipt showing payment of the visa application fee for each applicant, including each child listed in a parent's passport who is also applying for a U.S. visa, is needed. *Please see exceptions below.
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Your old passport containing your previously issued J visa, if applying for a renewal.
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Original Form DS-2019, SEVIS Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status (Any J-1 applicant, who has a DS-2019 issued on July 19, 2007 or later, must present a DS-7002 if he wishes to pursue training or an internship in the United States). The form must be signed in blue ink by the designated exchange organization official. You must also sign your DS-2019 on the "Signature of Applicant" line.
We will no longer put DS-2019 forms in a sealed envelope. Please be sure to carry your DS-2019 with you and show it to the U.S. immigration inspector when you arrive in the U.S. -
Financial evidence showing that you have sufficient funds to cover expenses (i.e., original bank books, income tax certificate, proof of sponsorship) for at least the first year of program participation. If supported by a third-party, please submit financial information only of the person(s) who will be supporting you for the program in the United States. For government-sponsored J visa applicants, annotations on Form DS-2019 will serve as sufficient evidence.
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Paper receipt indicating SEVIS fee payment for J1 visa applicant. Only the primary J1 applicant is required to pay the SEVIS fee. The SEVIS fee can be paid online at www.fmjfee.com. (Note: Continuing students do not need to pay the SEVIS fee again. For more information click I-901 FAQ)
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A courier receipt from an Embassy-approved courier company within Korea. Courier forms are available through the Ilyang (1588-0002; www.ilyanglogis.com) or Hanjin (1588-0011; www.hanjin.co.kr) courier companies.
Note: The consular officer may request additional information if needed.
* All current Korean diplomats and accredited diplomats to Korea, and their immediate family members who are applying for J1/J2 visas with their diplomatic pasport or equivalent are not required to pay the MRV processing fee at Shinhan Bank. Please note that the MRV processing fee is different from the SEVIS fee which is paid online at www.fmjfee.com.
* Exchange visitors who are participating in U.S. Federal Government-sponsored and funded (G1, G2, G3 and G7) educational and cultural exchange programs are exempt from paying the MRV processing fee at Shinhan Bank.
U.S. law requires that all visitor and student NIV applicants show sufficiently strong family, social, professional or economic ties to a residence abroad to ensure that their stay in the U.S. will be temporary. Section 214(b) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, as amended (INA), states that "every alien shall be presumed to be an immigrant until s/he establishes to the satisfaction of the officer, at the time of the application for a visa, that s/he is entitled to nonimmigrant status." This means that we are required to view each NIV applicant as intending to immigrate, and therefore ineligible for an NIV, until the applicant proves otherwise. We must caution non-Koreans that establishing such ties while someone is away from home, and in Korea temporarily, can be difficult. Please be aware that applicants form certain countries or backgrounds, or engaged in certain fields of study, may require additional, quite lengthy processing.
NIV processing usually takes up to seven working days, during busy periods longer, after we have received all application materials in good order. Please apply early to avoid last minute problems.
For more information on J visas, please click here.
Updated: November 13, 2009