The J-1 visa is the last stage of your summer camp application. It comes after you have been accepted by a designated sponsor and hired by a camp, and it involves several forms, fees, and an in-person interview.
This guide walks Pakistani applicants through each step in order. It is educational guidance, not legal advice. Official requirements change, so the facts below show when they were last checked, and your sponsor's and the U.S. Embassy's instructions always come first.
Step 1: Placement comes before the visa
You cannot apply for a J-1 visa on your own initiative. First, a designated sponsor must accept you for its Camp Counselor program, and you must be hired by a camp. With Xpath, that happens through pre-screening, profile completion, your sponsor interview, camp matching, and your camp interview.
The Summer 2027 application guide shows when each of these stages usually happens.
Step 2: Your sponsor issues the DS-2019
Form DS-2019 is the Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status. Designated sponsors issue it to exchange visitors they have screened and selected, after entering the participant's details in SEVIS, the U.S. government's exchange visitor database.
The DS-2019 shows your sponsor, program category, and program dates. It comes from your designated sponsor, not from Xpath or your camp. It lets you apply for the J-1 visa, but it is not a visa and does not guarantee one.
- Check that your name matches your passport exactly.
- Check your program category (Camp Counselor) and dates.
- Note your SEVIS ID, which you need for the DS-160.
- Keep the original safe: you need it for your interview and when you travel.
Step 3: Complete the DS-160
The DS-160 is the online nonimmigrant visa application. You complete it yourself, upload your photo as part of the form, and keep the confirmation page for your appointment.
Your DS-160 should match your passport, DS-2019, and sponsor details. Small mistakes can cause delays, so review every answer before you submit.
- Enter names exactly as they appear in your passport.
- Use your SEVIS ID and sponsor details from your DS-2019.
- Give accurate education, work, travel, and contact details.
- Save the DS-160 confirmation page with its barcode.
Step 4: Pay the visa and SEVIS fees
Two U.S. government fees apply to most camp counselor applicants. They are separate from any program fee and are paid through the official systems.
Fees can change, and additional U.S. fees may apply at the time you apply. Check the official fee pages before you pay. Our pay and costs guide covers these fees alongside the other costs to plan for.
| Fee | Amount | How it is paid |
|---|---|---|
| Visa application (MRV) fee | US$185 | Through the official U.S. visa appointment system for Pakistan. Non-refundable. |
| SEVIS I-901 fee | US$35 for Camp Counselor | Online at fmjfee.com before your interview. Ask your sponsor whether you pay it yourself. |
Step 5: Book your appointment in Islamabad or Karachi
In Pakistan, visa interviews take place at the U.S. Embassy in Islamabad and the U.S. Consulate General in Karachi. Both list student and exchange visitor (F and J) visas among their priorities.
You schedule through the official U.S. visa appointment website for Pakistan, using your DS-160 confirmation and fee payment. Book as early as you can once you have your DS-2019, because appointment availability changes through the year.
Only use the official U.S. Embassy and appointment websites to book. Be careful with anyone who offers to sell you an appointment.
Step 6: Attend your interview
Since September 2025, the State Department generally requires nonimmigrant visa applicants to attend an in-person interview, with limited exceptions. Plan for an interview even if you have held a U.S. visa before.
The consular officer checks that you qualify for the J-1 visa and understand your program. Our J-1 visa interview guide covers what to expect, the documents to bring, and how to prepare honestly.
Step 7: The visa decision
Visa decisions are made by U.S. consular officers. A consultancy, camp, or sponsor can help you prepare, but none of them can promise approval.
Receiving a DS-2019 means you can apply for the visa. It does not guarantee that the visa will be issued.
Step 8: Prepare to travel
Wait until your visa is issued before you buy non-refundable flights. Once you have it, follow your sponsor's arrival instructions and tell your sponsor and camp when you will arrive.
Xpath provides pre-departure guidance before you fly. Your sponsor is your first point of contact in the United States, and the State Department's 24-hour J-1 emergency helpline (1-866-283-9090) is available if your sponsor has not resolved a concern.
- Keep your passport, visa, and DS-2019 together in your hand luggage.
- Save your sponsor's emergency number and your camp's address.
- Bring enough money to cover your first weeks before your first pay.
QUESTIONS
Quick answers before you apply.
Can I apply for a J-1 visa without a DS-2019?+
No. J-1 applicants need a DS-2019 from a designated sponsor before they can apply for the visa.
Is the DS-160 the same as the DS-2019?+
No. The DS-160 is the online visa application you complete yourself. The DS-2019 is the certificate your designated sponsor issues, which supports your J-1 visa application.
Should I buy my flight before the visa interview?+
No. Avoid non-refundable travel plans until your visa is issued. A visa is not guaranteed until the consular officer approves it.
