US J-1 Visa granted but not used [duplicate]
![US J-1 Visa granted but not used [duplicate] - Serious ethnic woman messaging via smartphone while standing near subway](/assets/images/us_j1_visa_granted_but_not_used_duplicate_0.jpeg "US J-1 Visa granted but not used [duplicate] - Serious ethnic woman messaging via smartphone while standing near subway")
Suppose I have applied for a 6-month J-1 internship Visa and suppose it is successfully granted. Suppose that, due to force majeure or other circumstances beyond my control, I am forced to cancel my travel to the US and that, therefore, I never validate and use my Visa. Will this have negative consequences on my status/record for possible future Visa applications?
Thanks for your support.
Best Answer
You generally can follow the advice given in the linked question: Does being granted a B1/B2 visa for the US and not going have any consequences?
That is, that it’s fine to not use a visa.
The one exception and special case for J-1 visas is if you are subject to the two year home-country physical presence requirement.
If so, you might want to get your visa cancelled without prejudice at the American embassy. Otherwise, you might encounter some minor hassle in the future as you’ll have to prove that you didn’t use the J1 and aren’t subject to the home residency requirement if you ever apply for a H, J, L or green card.
If you never see yourself working in the USA, then it’s not worth the hassle.
Pictures about "US J-1 Visa granted but not used [duplicate]"
![US J-1 Visa granted but not used [duplicate] - Black worker with smartphone waiting for subway at metro station](/assets/images/us_j1_visa_granted_but_not_used_duplicate_1.jpeg "US J-1 Visa granted but not used [duplicate] - Black worker with smartphone waiting for subway at metro station")
![US J-1 Visa granted but not used [duplicate] - Young man photographing girlfriend on smartphone during date in city downtown near river](/assets/images/us_j1_visa_granted_but_not_used_duplicate_2.jpeg "US J-1 Visa granted but not used [duplicate] - Young man photographing girlfriend on smartphone during date in city downtown near river")
![US J-1 Visa granted but not used [duplicate] - Crop unrecognizable young guy using smartphone while photographing happy young ethnic girlfriend standing on river embankment with hand on waist during trip in New York City](/assets/images/us_j1_visa_granted_but_not_used_duplicate_3.jpeg "US J-1 Visa granted but not used [duplicate] - Crop unrecognizable young guy using smartphone while photographing happy young ethnic girlfriend standing on river embankment with hand on waist during trip in New York City")
Can you get two J-1 visa twice?
Can I apply for a J-1 visa twice? Yes. The J-1 visa for interns and trainees can be applied for multiple times.How do I keep J-1 status?
To maintain J-1 nonimmigrant status, you must:Can a J-1 visa be terminated?
J-1 visa early termination is a very serious case that can affect you substantially in several different ways if not handled correctly. Apart from the financial implications, it can be detrimental to your career and lead to a setback. This is why you need the service of an immigration attorney.How long are J-1 visas good for?
Length of Time Business and Industrial Trainees Can Stay in the U.S. on a J-1 Visa. Business and industrial trainees may be issued J-1 visas for a maximum of 18 months.I GOT DENIED MY J1 VISA 😭
More answers regarding uS J-1 Visa granted but not used [duplicate]
Answer 2
It's fine not to use your J-1 visa, as long as you inform your J-1 program sponsor and make sure they "cancel" your DS-2019. Doing so confirms that you never arrived in the US for your program. If the sponsor flagged your DS-2019 as "no show" (meaning you entered the US as J-1 but didn't report to your program) it would cause a lot of trouble for any future travel to the US.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Keira Burton, Ketut Subiyanto, Samson Katt, Samson Katt