"J" visas are appropriate for people participating in an exchange visitor program funded by the United States Government.
Following is a checklist of submission requirements for Iraqi “J” visa applicants: - Completed Visa Application Forms:
- A photograph:
- Taken within the past six months;
- 2 inches x 2 inches
- White background;
- Applicant facing the camera directly.
- Visa applicant's original passport, valid for at least six months from the date of departure from the United States. Iraqi S, M, and N series passports are no longer valid for travel to the United States. Find more information here.
- A copy of the applicant's Civil Identity Card.
- If the applicant has previously traveled to the U.S., an original or copy of the previous visa.
- $131 non-refundable application fee, payable in the Consular Section at the time of the interview, in U.S. cash only.
- Provide supporting documentation to demonstrate ties to Iraq such as family, financial and social ties to demonstrate the intent to return to Iraq following the completion of training program in the United States.
- Supporting documentation may include but not necessarily be limited to the following items: bank statements, university records, publications, employment letters, pay slips, proof of property ownership, birth and marriage certificates or other proof of family ties, photos of family and property, proof of organizational membership, official government documents showing address and family information, tax records, etc. The applicant may bring any documentation he or she wishes to provide evidence of claims to economic, educational, family, and social ties.
Iraqi visa applications require special administrative processing that is performed in Washington. We request that applications be submitted at least 90 days prior to the estimated date of departure in order to complete all administrative processing.
Applicants are required to personally appear in order to apply for the visa unless they are under 14 years of age. After the administrative processing is completed, the Consular Section will notify the applicant that the passport and visa are ready for pickup. PLEASE NOTE: Non-immigrant visas are issued only to applicants who can establish - without a doubt - that they intend to return to their home country after a temporary stay in the United States. This may be accomplished by showing substantial ties (social, professional, financial, etc.) to a country other than the United States. Under United States law the responsibility for demonstrating valid reasons for travel and substantial ties to a foreign country rests with the applicant. The burden of proof in all cases lies with the applicant to overcome the presumption that he or she intends to immigrate to the United States. | 
