J-1 VISAS are issued to students and exchange visitors. For exchange visitors performing an internship or working as a trainee, the validity of the visa is generally 18 months. Many individuals on a J-1 are subject to the 2 year foreign residency requirement. This usually applies to internships sponsored by the government of the United States or the alien's home country. Most trainees or J-1 visitors on private internships are not subject to the 2 year foreign residency requirement.