The program fee covers the evaluation and administrative support Cultural Vistas provides through the participant and host company application process; the issuance of visa sponsorship documents; orientation and resources provided to participants in preparation for their arrival to the U.S.; maintenance of the participant’s SEVIS record and on-going support throughout the training program; services including a 24 hour hotline available to participants and resources for filing appropriate tax forms; cultural activities organized in major U.S. cities; and more.
Participants are required to have insurance through Cultural Vistas. We offer three options for individual health insurance: Standard Lite for $60/month, Enhanced for $100/month, and Family Lite for $120/month. Accompanying family members on a J-2 may select either Standard Lite for $60/month or Family Lite for $120/month.
The SEVIS I-901 fee is a federally mandated fee that supports SEVIS, an automated system that tracks exchange visitors activity in the United States. Cultural Vistas pays the fee on behalf of the exchange visitor and issues a copy of the receipt. The original receipt will be mailed directly to the participant in his or her home country a few weeks later.
Please note that all J-1 Visa applicants must pay a fee of $185 to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where they interview for the visa. Canadian citizens are exempt from scheduling an interview and paying this fee.