All citizens of countries other than Canada applying for  J-1 or J-2 Nonimmigrant visas must pay the Nonimmigrant visa application processing fee (MRV) prior to scheduling an appointment.  Canadian citizens do not obtain J visas in the same way.   http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/forms/forms_1342.html

Fee Payment Options:

By Telephone:

1. Call our service to pay by Visa, MasterCard or American Express using an interactive voice system.
• Click here for telephone numbers and other access information.
2. Once the credit card information is approved, the caller will be provided a confirmation number.
• This confirmation number is required to submit the visa application and schedule an appointment.
• The caller must write down the confirmation number, there will not be a way to retrieve it later.
  

Cash at Scotiabank, PayPal Online, or Credit Card Online:

1. Please log into the Web site using the applicant's passport number, date of birth and nationality.
2. Follow the Web page instructions to select applicant's trip purpose, preferred Consulate to schedule an appointment, and other pertinent details related to the visa application.
3. While following the steps on the Web site, the applicant will be asked to either make a payment or to confirm the payment has already been made by using a "MRV Fee Receipt Number."
4. Payment can be made using the following options:
• Credit Card: Visa, MasterCard, or American Express
1. Please select the appropriate card from the provided list.
2. Follow directions to complete the transaction.
• Cash at Scotiabank:
1. Please select Scotiabank.
2. Click on the "PDF" link next to the "MRV Fee Receipt Number" box.
3. Print the electronic generated deposit slip for each applicant.
4. Complete the relevant information.
5. Take the deposit slip(s) to the bank and pay.
6. The "MRV Fee Receipt Number" is located at the the bottom of the Scotiabank deposit slip in the "serial number" field.
• Note: Each applicant requires a separate "serial number."
7. Return to this Web site and enter the "MRV Fee Receipt Number" when asked to provide it.
• PayPal:
1. Click on the "PayPal" link next to the "MRV Fee Receipt Number" box.
2. Print the transaction confirmation.
3. Return to this Web site and enter the "MRV Fee Receipt Number," which is the transaction ID.

Nonimmigrant Visa Form DS-160

Form DS-160, Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application, is used for J-1 or J-2 visa applications. The DS-160 is submitted electronically to the Department of State via the Internet. Consular Officers use the information entered on the DS-160 to process the visa application and, combined with a personal interview, determine an applicant's eligibility for a nonimmigrant visa.  Use the following link to access the form:
https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/

DS-2019: Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status. This form cannot be downloaded here. Contact your Exchange Visitor Program sponsor, The Cordell Hull Foundation, who is responsible for creating the DS 2019 form in the online SEVIS database and providing it to J-1 and J-2 visa applicants who have passed the  screening process.