Pre-Departure Orientation Manual - US Agency for International ...

PASSPORT
PRE-DEPARTURE
LOGISTICS
06/14/2012 New Edition
Your passport must be current and valid for six months beyond the end of your training program. If you
do not have a passport, or you need to renew your existing passport, allow a minimum of 60 days
before your travel date to receive the new document.
EXCHANGE VISITOR VISA AND TRANSIT
VISAS
As discussed in the Conditions of Sponsorship for U.S.-based
training, you must obtain and use a J-1 visa for entry into the
United States. Please allow a minimum of 60 days for obtaining a
J-1 visa. If you have more than one visa in your passport,
including a business or tourist visa for the U.S. please be sure to
mention that you are using your J-1 visa when you go before the
Customs and Border Protection Officer at the U.S. port of entry.
The consular officer at the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country will seal your immigration
documents in an envelope attached to your passport, which you must not open. Only the Customs and
Border Protection Officer at the U.S. port of entry may open this envelope. You can review
requirements for U.S. Exchange Visitor visas at
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1267.html#24.
Often, a visa will only be issued for a period of one year, even though the DS 2019 form is for a longer
period. This does not mean you will be out of status after one year. The I-94 card you receive on entry
to the U.S. will be stamped to show duration of stay (D/S) meaning your stay in the U.S. is legal as long
as you have a valid DS 2019 form. If you travel home during your program, you should arrange with the
USAID Mission to visit the Consul to obtain a new visa stamp.
PERSONAL DOCUMENTS
For participants traveling to the U.S., you also must carry on your person and have ready access to the
following documents:
Passport with Form DS 2019
Letter of acceptance into your USAID-sponsored program
Documents and correspondence related to your training
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