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J-1 Exchange Visitor Program for Trainees - Sample Budget
*The following sample budget is an estimate only
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Fees Paid Directly to TC
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Application Fee
$1,000one time fee
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J-1 Sponsorship by TC
Includes: Program sponsorship, monitoring, and reporting to the US Department of State; 24/7 emergency support; pre-departure preparation; guidance and support settling into life in the US. Must be paid immediately upon visa approval and prior to arrival in the US. 		$1,200
$1,500
$1,800		Up to 6 Months
Up to 12 Months
Up to 18 Months
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TC J-1 Emergency Health Insurance (required)
Must be paid immediately upon visa approval and prior to arrival in the US. Subject to annual increases. 		$68
per month and subject to annual increases
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(If applicable) J-2 Dependent Application Fee (if family members joining you)
$750
one time fee that covers an unlimted # of family members
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(If applicable) TC J-2 Dependent Emergency Health Insurance (required if family members joining you)
Must be paid immediately upon visa approval and prior to arrival in the US. Subject to annual increases. 		$68
per month, per person, and subject to annual increases
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Visa Fees Paid to the US Government:
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SEVIS I-901 Fee
SEVIS is a web-based system for maintaining information on international nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors in the United States. J-2 Dependents are automatically linked to the J-1 in SEVIS and therefore do not need to make a separate payment of the I-901.		$220one time fee
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DS-160 Fee
The DS-160 enables each J-1 visitor and accompanying J-2 dependents to make an appointment at their home country’s U.S. embassy. Unlike with the SEVIS I-901 Fee, each J-2 applicant must fill out and make payment on separate DS-160 applications (waived for Canadians)		$185
one time fee per person
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For example, if you have two family members joining you, it will cost you $480 ($160 x 3 ppl) to book your embassy interviews.
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"***While extremely uncommon, some US Embassies may charge a reciprocity fee. Please check the website of the US Embassy in your home country to see if this fee is applicable to you.
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country.html"
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Other Pre-Program Fees
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Travel to US Embassy in your Home Country
Will vary depending on where you live and where the embassy is located - please research and be ready to travel as needed: https://www.usembassy.gov/
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Flight to the US$500-$1500
varies greatly based on departing city
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Deductions from PaycheckRanges From
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Federal Income Tax: J-1 participants are subject to federal taxes on income earned from their US employer. Rates will vary depending on your income bracket. 12%-24% of your paycheck
Click on either link to estimate your payroll deductions based on your location, salary, and exemptions:
https://smartasset.com/taxes/paycheck-calculator or https://www.paycheckcity.com/calculator
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State Income Tax: Depending on the US state where you live and train/earn money, J-1 participants may be subject to a state tax on income earned from their US employer. Rates will vary from state to state and may depend on your income bracket. Only 9 US states do not have have a state income tax. 0%-9.3% of your paycheck
Click on either link to estimate your payroll deductions based on your location, salary, and exemptions:
https://smartasset.com/taxes/paycheck-calculator or https://www.paycheckcity.com/calculator
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Local Income Tax: Depending on the US city where you live and work, J-1 participants may be subject to a local tax on income earned from their US employer. Rates will vary from state to state and may depend on your income bracket. 0%-4% of your paycheck
Click on either link to estimate your payroll deductions based on your location, salary, and exemptions:
https://smartasset.com/taxes/paycheck-calculator or https://www.paycheckcity.com/calculator
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Medicare Taxes: J-1 participants are exempt from these taxes for their first two tax calendar years in the US. This will be deducted from your paycheck starting January 1st, after you have been in the US for two tax calendar years. 1.45% of your paycheck, after the first 2 tax years
Click on either link to estimate your payroll deductions based on your location, salary, and exemptions:
https://smartasset.com/taxes/paycheck-calculator or https://www.paycheckcity.com/calculator
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Social Security Taxes: J-1 participants are exempt from these taxes for their first two tax calendar years in the US. This will be deducted from your paycheck starting January 1st, after you have been in the US for two tax calendar years. 6.2% of your paycheck, after the first 2 tax years
Click on either link to estimate your payroll deductions based on your location, salary, and exemptions:
https://smartasset.com/taxes/paycheck-calculator or https://www.paycheckcity.com/calculator
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Click HERE to view a real Payroll Deduction Example in the state of Maryland
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Living Expenses in the US
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For a single J-1 teacher participant arriving alone, it is recommended you arrive with access to approximately $4,000 (depending on the cost of living in your city) to cover your costs of living before your first paycheck from your new employer. If you are bringing a spouse or child with you on the J-2 visa, this amount will increase greatly depending on your specific situation.
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Low Cost of Living City
Medium Cost of Living City
High Cost of Living City
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Accommodations/Rent$600-$1,000per month$1,000 - $1,500per month$1,500 - $2,500per month
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Housing Security Deposit Paid Upfront1 or 2 X the monthly rentone time fee1 or 2 X the monthly rentone time fee1 or 2 X the monthly rentone time fee
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Utilities (internet, cell phone, cable, water, electric, gas)$300per month$400per month$500per month
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Transportation: Varies greatly depending on public transportation available, carpooling options, buying/leasing/renting a car, etc. Please contact your host organization for more information on available transportation options in your city and estimated costs. $200-$400per month$300-$500per month$400-$600per month
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Car Insurance (if you decide to purchase or lease a car)$800-$1,000per year$800-$1,000per year$800-$1,000per year
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Food$300per month$400per month$500per month
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Childcare$500-$800per month$900-$1,200per month$1,300-$1,600per month
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Miscellaneous$100-$200per month$150-$250per month$250-$300per month
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*The above numbers are meant to reflect costs for one person living in the US. If your family is joining you, these costs will increase and depend on your specific situation.
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**Please click on the following link for more information on the cost of living, cost of housing, cost of transportation, cost of food, etc. for your specific location: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/
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***If your annual salary does not cover all of your living expenses, especially if you have family members coming with you, you should have personal funds saved up and available to use.
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****Please click on the following link to calculate your salary requirements to support you and any family members: https://livingwage.mit.edu/
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