- J-1 Exchange Students
- J-1 Exchange Visiting Scholars
- Professor, Research Scholar, Short-term Scholar, & Specialist
- J-1 Exchange Pre-Arrival & Orientation
- eShipGlobal Payment (for Express Mail Requests)
- Scholar Stories
Program Information
Please click on each tab below to view more detailed information.
What is the J-1 Exchange?
This is a program primarily for foreign students coming to the United States to pursue a full-course of study at the accredited post-secondary educational institution in the United States (22 CFR 62.23).
Who Should Apply for J-1 Exchange?
You should apply for a J-1 Exchange Student, instead of an F-1 full-time student, when you are substantially supported by any source other than personal or your family funds or when you meet the funding requirements outlined in 22 CFR 62.23(c)(4). The funding source could be a scholarship, fellowship, or other funding program from an external source, like Bellevue College, your home government, or an international corporate sponsor that the United States is a member by treaty or statute.
Differences between J-1 Exchange and F-1 Student visa?
J-1 Exchange Student Visa/Status | F-1 International Student Visa/Status |
|
|---|---|---|
| Funding must come from a source other than personal or family funds. Funding can be financed directly or indirectly by the U.S. government, the government of their home country, an international organization of which the United States is a member by treaty or statute. | Source of Funding | Funding can come from any source. |
| J-1 Exchange Students in good academic standing are eligible for on-campus employment authorization. On-Campus employment is limited to part-time while school is in session and may be full-time during the official school breaks or the student's authorized vacation term. Employment must be approved by the Responsible Officer (RO) or Alternative Responsible Officer (ARO) in the OIEGI office in advance and prior to working. | On-Campus Employment | F-1 Students in good academic standing can work on-campus part-time while school is in session and may work full-time during school breaks or on an authorized vacation term. |
| J-2 dependents can study part-time or full-time in the U.S. | Can Dependents (J-2 or F-2) Study in the U.S.? | F-2 minors can attend Kindergarten through 12th grade full time. F-2 dependents may now study part-time in any post-secondary or language schools. |
J-1 Exchange – General Admission Requirements:
- Completed an online J-1 Exchange Student Application Form. Follow the “How-To-Apply Instructions for J-1 Exchange Programs” page to create an account and fill out an application.
- $50 Non-Refundable application fee, due with application
- $500 Non-Refundable program process fee, due with application
- $750 Non-Refundable program process fee per dependent (spouse/child), due with application
- Per J-1 Exchange Student (ES) immigration regulations, an ES must be financed directly or indirectly by the U.S. Government or the government of their home country, or be supported substantially (more than 51%) by funding from any source other than personal or family funds. Official bank statement and financial supporting documents, in English, with a minimum total balance of $26,591 USD (or $36,457 USD for bachelor’s programs).
- An additional $5,000 is required per dependent (spouse/child)
- Financial statement and support documents must be dated within six (6) months of application
- Copy of Student’s passport ID page, including expiration date
- Copy of passport ID page of each dependent that travels with Student to the U.S.
- Official transcript in English from current or previous school
- Proof of English language proficiency for Associate & Certificate programs, and bachelor’s programs, (more detailed information on the “English Proficiency” tab)
*** Admission documents sent outside the U.S. must be sent by express mail via eShipGlobal.
No English proficiency is required
Student must meet one of the following:
Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) and Paper-based TOEFL (PBT)
- 61 (iBT) or 500 (PBT)
- More information about TOEFL
Academic IELTS
- Overall score of 6.0 with all sub-scores 5.5 or higher
- More information about Academic IELTS
DUOLINGO
- 95
- More information about DUOLINGO English Test
First Language on the IGCSE or O-Level
- A “C” or higher in English
- More information about Cambridge IGCSE Subjects
- More information about Cambridge O-Level Subjects
An AP English Language or Literature/Composition Score
- 3 (places into English 101 at BC (*))
(*) Official exam result issued by the testing company is required for the placement into English 101.
- More information about AP English Language or Literature/Composition
An IB English A Exam With A Minimum Score
- 4 (places into English 101 at BC (*))
(*) Official exam result issued by the testing company is required for the placement into English 101.
- More information about the IB International Baccalaureate
Smarter Balanced ELA Score Option Available For US High School Students Only
- 3 (places into English 101 at BC (*))
(*) Official exam result issued by the testing company is required for the placement into English 101.
- More information about Smarter Balance ELA
Successful Completion of the BC’s Intensive English (ESL) Program
- A grade of “A-” in Integrated Skills 5 and “B-” in all other courses taken that quarter
- More information about the Intensive English
Other College’s Placement Test Result(s)
A valid placement result from another college into the equivalent of BC’s English 101
U.S. High School or an International School
Two years of regular English courses (non-ESL) in a U.S. high school or international school with a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher (reviewed on a case-by-case basis)
Public Diplomacy ESL-school of The US Embassy
Successful completion of the advance 5 with a passing grade (a verification letter from the school official is required) – reviewed on a case-by-case basis
Countries with English as Official or Primary Language
1. Anguilla, 2. Antigua and Barbuda, 3. Australia, 4. Bahamas, 5. Barbados, 6. Belize, 7. Bermuda, 8. Botswana, 9. British Virgin Islands,10. Cameroon, 11. Canada (except Quebec), 12. Cayman Islands, 13. Dominica, 14. England, 15. Fiji, 16. The Gambia, 17. Ghana, 18. Gibraltar, 19. Grenada, 20. Guyana, 21. Ireland, Northern, 22. Ireland, Republic of, 23. Jamaica, 24. Kenya, 25. Lesotho, 26. Liberia, 27. Malawi, 28. Malta, 29. Mauritius, 30. Montserrat, 31. Namibia, 32. New Zealand, 33. Nigeria, 34. Papua New Guinea, 35. Scotland, 36. Seychelles, 37. Sierra Leone, 38. Singapore, 39. Solomon Islands, 40. South Africa, 41. St. Kitts and Nevis, 42. St. Lucia, 43. St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 44. Swaziland, 45. Tanzania, 46. Tonga, 47. Trinidad and Tobago, 48. Turks and Caicos Islands,
49. Uganda, 50. United Kingdom, 51. Vanuatu, 52. Wales, 53. Zambia, 54. Zimbabwe
Transferring to Bellevue College:
Students transferring from another US school to Bellevue College need to submit additional documents. Transfer students are strongly advised to submit their completed applications at least two weeks before their grace period ends.
Transfer students also must upload/submit copies of the immigration documents:
- A copy of J-1 visa page
- A copy of current DS-2019 form
- Most recent I-94 document (retrieve from i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home)
- Completed and signed Transfer Eligibility form
Programs Offered
Bellevue College offers J-1 Exchange programs. Requirements vary by program.
Intensive English
Our Intensive English program prepares non-native English speakers for college-level classes by enhancing reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills. Basic English proficiency is required to enroll.
Bridge
Our Bridge Pathway program is a quarter-long English preparation program. Students will take a college-level English class along with other courses that focus on developing writing skills, critical thinking, and personal responsibility for learning.
Certificate
Our 1-2 year Professional and Technical Certificate Programs offer a focused, hands-on learning experience—perfect for those seeking specialized skills without committing to a 4-year degree.
Associates
Begin your education at Bellevue College with our associate programs. These programs are designed for students to complete their first 2 year and then transfer to university or they will lead directly into one of our specialized bachelor’s programs, allowing completion of an associate’s and bachelor’s degree in 4 years.
Bachelor’s
Our bachelor’s degrees are career-oriented programs designed to prepare students to successfully compete for specialized jobs that require advanced knowledge and skills for a respective industry. These programs are meant for third and fourth year students, usually who have already completed an associate’s degree.
Program Cost
The costs below are the minimum required. Include the SEVIS fee, visa fee, and airfare in your total budget.
| Fee | Cost - USD |
|---|---|
| Application Fee (Non Refundable) | $50 |
| Program Administrative Process Fee | $500 |
| Program Administrative Process Fee (for each dependent) | $750 |
| College-Level, Int'l HS Completion, Intensive ESL | Bachelor Programs | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Expenses | Quarter (3 months) | Academic Year (9 months) | Quarter (3 months) | Academic Year (9 months) |
| Tuition | $3,524 $3,180(for Intensive ESL) | $10,573 $9,539(for Intensive ESL) | $6,813 | $20,440 |
| Mandatory Medical Insurance | $483 | $1,449 | $483 | $1,449 |
| Books & Supplies | $254 | $762 | $254 | $762 |
| Computer / Other Fees | $144 $116(for Intensive ESL) | $298 $284(for Intensive ESL) | $144 | $298 |
| Metro Bus Pass | $120 | $360 | $120 | $360 |
| Room & Board (Not paid to BC) | $4,383 | $13,149 | $4,383 | $13,149 |
| Total (Estimated) | $8,908 $8,535(for Intensive ESL) | $26,591 $25,542(for Intensive ESL) | $12,197 | $36,457 |
| Required Amount shown on Bank Statement for I-20 | $26,591 | $36,457 | ||
It is mandated by the U.S. Department of State that all J-1 Exchange Students and their dependents must have medical insurance coverage in effect for the entire period of their exchange visiting program and coverage with the following minimum benefits [22 CFR 62.14]:
- Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000;
- Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the exchange visiting scholar to his or her home country in the amount of $50,000;
- Medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness;
- A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.
As a condition of participating in the Exchange Student program, J-1 Exchange Student visa holders on the BC’s DS-2019 are required to join the BC-Foundation arranged accident and sickness medical benefit plan every quarter including approved vacation (providing coverage was in effect the full term immediately prior to the approved vacation term) and first time Reduced Course Load (RCL) term.
| Health Insurance Fee, if purchase through BC | One to Two Weeks | Three to Four Weeks | Up to One Quarter (3-month) | One Year (12-month) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student (Primary) (through age 64) | $82 | $161 | $483 | $1,932 |
| Student (Primary) (age 65 & up) | $230 | $491 | $1,473 | $5,892 |
| Spouse (through age 64) | $313 | $690 | $2,070 | $8,280 |
| Child(ren) (Up to 26 years-old) | $161 | $339 | $1,017 | $4,068 |
How to Apply
Step 1: Create Account
- Before you can apply, you need to create a non-Bellevue College account to use during the application process. Accepted students will get a Bellevue College NetID to use while an exchange student scholar.
- Only create a non-Bellevue College account once. If you are a current student re-applying, or if you already started an application and would like to continue, do not create a new account.
Step 2: Start Application
- After you create your non-Bellevue College account, you can apply for J-1 Exchange admission to Bellevue College
Last Updated March 24, 2026