travel by aj

Pursue Your Dreams of Traveling

Sometimes you just need to take a break, get away and relax. the best way to do that is to book a vacation and go where your heart desires. plan your vacation today, inspired by travel.

Explore The World

Traveling the world holds a different meaning for everybody. For some it means to live a life full of adventure, to get away and relax, and more! No matter the reason, traveling will give you an unforgettable experience. Explore the world and start planning your vacation today!  

Upcoming Tours & Destination

Wondering where you should  go for a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience? One that will allow you to meet melanin moms’ like yourself and form new friendships?! We’re ready to provide you with our group destination trips for melanin moms. 

What My Clients​​ Say about Me

Professional certifications.

Travels by AJ

ABOUT TRAVELS BY AJ

Travel Agency Specializing in Cruises and All-Inclusive Resorts We are here to make your dream vacation a reality.

Certifications.

4 REASONS TO BOOK WITH US

Expert travel knowledge - our team has extensive knowledge on the best cruise lines and all-inclusive resorts to ensure that you have a vacation of a lifetime. tailor-made holidays - we believe that every vacation should be unique to the traveler, and we are here to customize every detail to your preferences. global reach - we offer a wide range of destinations worldwide to cater to your wanderlust. we are committed to ensuring that your vacation is great and you can travel with peace of mind., testimonials, "travels by aj made planning our anniversary cruise a breeze. everything was taken care of and we had the time of our lives." - john and lisa m. -, "i cannot recommend travels by aj enough. their expertise and attention to detail made our family vacation unforgettable." - the smith family -, "we have used travels by aj for multiple vacations and every time they exceed our expectations. we will never book with anyone else." - the johnsons -.

Travel by AJ Anitria Roberts

If you have a question about the ABTP, please reach out to us.  

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (833) 322-8776

• Advisory Board
• Subscribe for Updates
• Travel Professional Membership
• Travel Supplier Membership
• ABTP Summit
• Press/Media

Subscribe and get notified at first on the latest update and offers!

Costa Rica, Vacation 7 Nights w/Air $499

Best Costa Rica Deals Anywhere!

Group Booking Special

Book ten rooms and fly for FREE!

Costa Rica, 5 Days, All – Inclusive w/Air & Car $699

Amazing all - inclusive sale- save over 60%.

Costa Rica, 10 Days, As Seen on Travelzoo w/Air & Car $629

3 amazing areas, beach, volcano & cloud forest w/ breakfast.

Cancun Steal, 5 Days, All – Inclusive Beach Resort $499

Never seen before.

Costa Rica, Beach, Volcano, City, 8 Days w/Air & Car & More $499 WOW

Never seen before rates book now.

Riviera Maya, Wyndham Exclusive, 5 Days, All – Inclusive w/Air – $499

Exclusive rates you won't find anywhere else, costa rica, volcano, beach, city, part all – inclusive $599, crazy travelzoo sale part all - inclusive, sort by places.

Our Newsletter

deals in your inbox

Love to travel? Wake up with a weekly deal in your inbox. Our savings are sometimes very limited, and its a first come first serve model. What better way to know you've gotten a steal of a travel deal by being one of the first to see our newest posts.

Deals in your inbox!

• Request a Consultation Request a Consultation
• Hot Deals Deals
• Travel Restrictions

Let's Get You There

Begin Your Adventure Today

With The Help Of Your Land And Cruise Experts

Your Travel Advisor

Franchise Owner - Vacation Specialist

• Featured Travel
• Find a Cruise
• Find a Hotel
• Find a Tour
• Find a Resort

YES! Only show me resorts with special offers!

Themed Cruises

Don't Miss This!

Travel Inspiration and Exclusive Offers delivered to your inbox every week!

Special Offers

Carnival Magic on 05/03/2025

Carnival Freedom on 05/24/2025

Reduced Rates on select Greece sailings

SkyMiles® Medallion® Members can save up to $250 per booking

Second Guest Sails Free + Save up to $5,000 on select sailings

2 for 1 Fares + FlexCredit up to $10,000 per suite + $1,000 savings per suite on select departures

Up to a 2-Category Suite Upgrade + Up to $1,000 Shipboard Credit per suite on select sailings

2 kids/teens stay free plus $1500 resort credit!

Video Gallery

Exclusive savings & amenities.

Enjoy special pricing and extra perks on thousands of sailings - exclusively with Cruise Planners.

Welcome to the Aruba25 registration! This is an open registration for you and your friends and family to connect and cruise together. You and your friends will be joining me and many others o…

Class of 1985

Welcome to the Class of 1985 registration! Ahoy Class of 1985,Are you ready to set sail on a fantastic reunion adventure? Join us on a 5-day cruise aboard the Carnival Freedom, departing from…

7 Night Hawaiian Islands on 10/12/24

Norwegian Cruise Line - Pride of America Visiting: Honolulu, Kahului (2 Days), Hilo, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, Nawiliwili (2 Days), Honolulu

9 Night Mediterranean on 10/10/24

Norwegian Cruise Line - Norwegian Viva Visiting: Ravenna (2 Days), Split, Dubrovnik, Corfu, Santorini, Kusadasi, Istanbul, Mykonos, Piraeus(Athens)

7 Night Caribbean - Eastern on 12/28/24

Celebrity Cruises - Celebrity Apex Visiting: Ft. Lauderdale, Charlestown, Tortola, Puerto Plata, Ft. Lauderdale

12 Night European Coast on 11/27/24

Celebrity Cruises - Celebrity Infinity Visiting: Barcelona, Lanzarote, Gran Canaria, Tenerife, Canary Islands, Casablanca, Tangier, Cadiz, Malaga, Barcelona

5 Night Caribbean - Western on 12/23/24

Royal Caribbean International - Independence of the Seas Visiting: Miami, CocoCay, Cozumel, Miami

7 Night Caribbean - Western on 10/6/24

Royal Caribbean International - Wonder of the Seas Visiting: Port Canaveral, CocoCay, Cozumel, Roatan, Puerto Costa Maya, Mexico, Port Canaveral

7 Night Caribbean - Eastern on 11/2/24

Princess Cruises - Sun Princess Visiting: Ft. Lauderdale, Princess Cays, Amber Cove, Grand Turk, Ft. Lauderdale

All-Inclusive Resorts

Below are some hand-selected resorts featuring white sand beaches and plenty of great experiences.

Sandals Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Resort

Opening Special rates

Secrets Playa Blanca Costa Mujeres

A new adult-only paradise

Catalonia Royal Tulum - Adults only

Enjoy Tulum, Mexico in this adults only escape

Club Med Val d'Lsere

Enjoy the best skiing in the world, Club Med Style

Where in The World?

Search by destination to find what cruises can take you there

Where to Next

Mediterranean

Australia/New Zealand

United States

I am excited to be your

Personal vacation planner.

The Swiss Alps has got to be one of the most beautiful places on earth! Weather it's snowy white mountains or white sandy beaches, let me show you the world that awaits!

Just a friendly reminder!

Our knowledgeable agents are here to support you. Start chatting with one now!

Modal title

Modal subtitle.

latest in US News

These are the best cities to raise a family in inflation-weary...

Judge rips Trump attorney over 'outrageous' statement to jurors

Fallen FDNY hero remembered as 63 of New York's Bravest are...

Hunter Biden's last-minute bid to quash gun case slapped down by...

Attacker punches, stabs Times Square bakery worker in spat over...

Ex-South Dakota mayor charged in triple homicide after alleged...

Virginia father arrested in Turks and Caicos for having ammo in...

Biden admin urges UK, France not to censure Iran over growing...

Live updates, at least 15 killed as powerful tornadoes devastate texas town, blast oklahoma and arkansas.

• View Author Archive
• Get author RSS feed

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

At least 15 people, including two young kids, are dead after a powerful tornado barreled through rural Texas Saturday night and caused a crowded gas station where people were taking shelter to collapse — leaving an additional 80 people injured as officials warn the death toll is likely “going to go up.” 

The tornado in Valley View — about 60 miles north of Dallas — was just one of several devastating twisters reported across the Lone Star State, Oklahoma and Arkansas. 

Seven deaths were reported in Cooke County, Texas, near the Oklahoma border, where a tornado Saturday night plowed through a rural area near a mobile home park, officials said. Storms also killed two people and destroyed houses in Oklahoma, where the injured included guests at an outdoor wedding. Tens of thousands of residents were without power across the region.

At least five people were killed in Arkansas, including a 26-year-old woman who was found dead outside a destroyed home in Olvey, a small community in Boone County, according to Daniel Bolen of the county’s emergency management office. Another person died in Benton County, and two more bodies were found in Marion County. In Oklahoma, two people died in Mayes County, east of Tulsa, officials said.

A deadly, overnight tornado ripped through Valley View, TX. Our @FOX4 crew is on scene at an AP Travel Center/Shell Gas Station where dozens took shelter Saturday evening. #txwx @Fox4Weather pic.twitter.com/x32qVlf8wT — Peyton Yager (@peytonyager) May 26, 2024

Cooke County Sheriff Ray Sappington confirmed seven people were killed in the severe overnight storm that struck a trailer park and the AP Travel Center, which includes as Shell gas station and restaurants south of town — injuring between 60 and 80 people taking shelter inside.

At least two children, a 2-year-old and a 5-year-old were among the dead, Sappington said Sunday morning, according to Fox 4 News. 

Dozens of panicked drivers had pulled into the gas station to get off the road during the dangerous weather, only to be caught directly in the path of the tornado.

Numerous people had to be rescued after being trapped inside, but everyone survived.

“I can also tell you that number is going to go up,” Sappington  told WFAA  of the death toll. “I don’t want to speculate and give you a number.”

Start your day with all you need to know

Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.

Thanks for signing up!

Please provide a valid email address.

By clicking above you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy .

Never miss a story.

Search-and-rescue efforts remain underway at the gas station and in a nearby neighborhood.

“It took some time to get back in there because of all the damage with the power lines, and trees were down. It was kind of a monumental task just to get back to where they were,” Sappington added.

The mobile home park was especially devastated by the twister.

“This took a major hit. There is not much left of it,” he said. 

Elsewhere, in Pryor, Oklahoma, outside Tulsa, least two people were killed and five others were injured,  News on 6 reported .

In Claremore, about 17 miles away, a tornado devetated the town and wrecked a KOA campground, though only minor injuries were reported there, according to the station.

In Texas, Sappington urged locals to stay away from the storm damage, noting numerous reports of downed power lines and gas leaks that could cause serious injury if encountered.

Still, the sheriff was confident in their ability to come back from the serious deadly storm.

“We’ll rebuild,” he said. “It’s Texas. We can rebuild property, and as horrible as this looks, in two or three months, it won’t look like this [then]. It’ll be better. But the loss of life is just tragic. It’s always tragic. That’s what hurts the most.”

Two children were also reported missing in Cooke County following the storm, Sappington said.

Wow. This is terrifying cell phone video of two women caught in a tornado Saturday evening in Valley View, TX – close to Sanger. @FOX4 @Fox4Weather @foxweather #txwx 🎥: Valenia Gill pic.twitter.com/1PabgpBZxz — Peyton Yager (@peytonyager) May 26, 2024

Forecasters had issued tornado and severe thunderstorm warnings for parts of both states Saturday, as heat records were broken over the long holiday weekend.

As the storm moved through the region it overturned motorhomes brought down powerlines and trees and made some roads completely inaccessible.

On Saturday night the National Weather Service’s office in Norman, Oklahoma, warned areas north of Oklahoma City to “take cover now!” In a follow-up post at 10:05 p.m., the agency noted the storms had left the area and were headed across north Texas.

We're flying across part of the damage in Claremore this morning. @NewsOn6 @NEWS9 pic.twitter.com/c0M0gEL4fx — Alan Crone (@alancrone) May 26, 2024

By 10:24 p.m. the weather service office in Fort Worth began to warn of the storm moving through the region, issuing a severe thunderstorm warning with possible “golf-ball-sized hail.”

The Norman office had compared conditions Saturday to “ a gasoline-soaked brush pile” and forecasters warned storms would likely come with large hail, dangerous winds and tornadoes.

The storm system was expected to move east as Memorial Day weekend continues, bringing rain that could delay the Indianapolis 500 auto race Sunday and more severe storms in Illinois, Indiana, Missouri and Kentucky.

The risk of severe weather is expected to move into North Carolina and Virginia on Monday, forecasters said.

With Post wires

Share this article:

Advertisement

to using credit card points instead of dollars for travel

I ’ve helped hundreds of thousands of people to travel more comfortably and often for free.

Here, it's all about helping you unlock tips and methods to do the same. If that sounds like you, then check out the best credit cards, my travel top 10, or pick up my free credit card points cheat sheet.  

As featured in

Catch up on the latest

     b log

Credit Cards with Travel Insurance Benefits Included (That's a Thing?!?)

NEW! Limited Time Offer: 75k Point Sign-up Bonus for Chase Sapphire Preferred

How to Use Credit Card Points for Travel

• Jammu and Kashmir
• Luxury Trains
• +91 98739 92962
• [email protected]

Wildlife Tours

• Quality 4.67

Taj , Forts & Tigers

Reset password.

Advertisement

C.I.A. Director to Meet With Israeli Counterpart This Weekend Over Cease-Fire Talks

It was unclear if negotiators from Egypt and Qatar would participate.

• Share full article

By Julian E. Barnes and Edward Wong

Reporting from Washington

• May 23, 2024

William J. Burns, the C.I.A. director, who has been the lead American negotiator in efforts for a cease-fire in Gaza, plans to travel to Europe this weekend for talks with his Israeli counterpart to try to revive the stalled discussions over a pause in the fighting and the release of hostages, according to a U.S. official and another person briefed on the negotiations.

This month, frustration boiled over between officials from Hamas and Israel, and the countries mediating — the United States, Qatar and Egypt — put the talks on hold.

Israeli officials were upset with what they saw as shifting negotiating stances by Hamas, including the number of hostages to be released in a first phase. Hamas was upset by Israel’s operations in Rafah, the southern Gazan city, which have been progressing since.

But core to the dispute were disagreements over how to define a cessation of hostilities between Hamas and Israel, and how different stages of the cease-fire would be put into effect.

The resumption of talks, at an undisclosed location in Europe, is expected to take place over the next few days. It is not clear if Egyptian and Qatari negotiators will join Mr. Burns and David Barnea, the chief of the Mossad, Israel’s spy agency, to directly take part in the discussions.

Mr. Burns, however, has been in close contact with Egyptian and Qatari negotiators as the mediators look to get the talks back on track, said a U.S. official.

In early May, Mr. Burns did shuttle diplomacy between Egypt and Israel trying to push for the first phase of an agreement to begin, including a staggered process for the release of hostages and a temporary halt in fighting.

The talks in the coming days are expected to be the first since that round of negotiations ended. While it is unclear what could be achieved with Mr. Burns’s new discussions, restarting the talks is, at this point, a notable development.

U.S. officials say a hostage-for-cease-fire agreement has to be reached for all their other diplomatic efforts to get momentum, including discussions of a postwar administration in Gaza and a megadeal for a Palestinian state that the Americans and Saudis want Israel to agree to.

But Israeli military operations in Rafah continue to complicate the picture. The more aggressive the Israeli operations there, the less Hamas wants to negotiate.

Some American officials have said Israel is taking their advice on how to mitigate some civilian casualties — which has contributed to an erosion of international support for Israel with over 35,000 people dead, according to the Gazan health authorities.

On Wednesday, Jake Sullivan, the U.S. national security adviser, said he was optimistic that Israel, so far, was not conducting the kind of major operation in Rafah that the United States had feared it would. But questions remain about exactly what the Israeli intentions for Rafah over the longer term might be.

Julian E. Barnes covers the U.S. intelligence agencies and international security matters for The Times. He has written about security issues for more than two decades. More about Julian E. Barnes

Edward Wong is a diplomatic correspondent who has reported for The Times for more than 24 years from New York, Baghdad, Beijing and Washington. He was on a team of Pulitzer Prize finalists for Iraq War coverage. More about Edward Wong

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

• Restaurants
• Best-of Guides
• MICHELIN Guide Ceremony
• My Favorites
• Subscribe to newsletter
• Booking partnership with OpenTable
• Booking partnership with Resy
• USA - English - USD
• Seven of the Most Luxurious Hotels in Paris

There are nearly 1,500 hotels in Paris, spanning every need and desire. The seven below represent the absolute peak of service, accommodation and sheer extravagance.

Travel France Hotels Paris hotels

Paris by The MICHELIN Guide

See the Paris guide

The hotels below are part of the MICHELIN Guide hotel selection . Each of the 5,000+ hotels in the selection has been chosen by our experts for its extraordinary style, service and personality – and each can be booked on the MICHELIN Guide website and app.

Fouquet's Barrière

Book Fouquet's Barrière with The MICHELIN Guide →

Bulgari Hotel Paris

Book Bulgari Hotel Paris with The MICHELIN Guide →

J.K. Place Paris

Book J.K. Place Paris with The MICHELIN Guide →

La Réserve Paris

Book La Réserve Paris with The MICHELIN Guide →

The Peninsula Paris

Book The Peninsula Paris with The MICHELIN Guide →

Le Royal Monceau

Book Le Royal Monceau with The MICHELIN Guide →

Park Hyatt Paris – Vendôme

Book Park Hyatt Paris – Vendôme with The MICHELIN Guide →

Read also:  Seven Paris Hotels With Serious History

Hero Image: ©  Plaza Athénée

Where Daniel Boulud Goes In New York

The chef who has made Manhattan home for more than three decades spills on where he eats, drinks, and enjoys the city.

In the Kitchen with Simon Kim of Cote

Go inside the One MICHELIN Star restaurant and meet the faces behind the buzzy boîte.

Rooftops and Radical Hotel Designs in Barcelona

In the city of Gaudí, a guide to the very best rooftops in the city — the spots that crown Barcelona’s spectacular Key hotels.

Keep Exploring - Stories we think you will enjoy reading

The MICHELIN Guide to a Nature-Filled Weekend in Brooklyn

Fresh air isn't just for upstate.

The Best Hotels in Brooklyn Actually Feel Like Brooklyn

Each MICHELIN Key-winning hotel in Brooklyn reflects the very best of the borough.

Where Al Roker Goes in New York

The television icon shares his spots from haute milliners to Starry cuisine.

From Mezcal to Maison at Casa Silencio

Nestled in Oaxaca’s history-soaked Valley of Xaaga, El Silencio is a lauded mezcal maker that believed it was time their product ascended to the natural next plane. Wineries have hotels on the vineyards — why not mezcal?

Oaxaca's Hotels Know How to Stay Unique

What does a naked protest against McDonald’s tell us about the boutique hotels of Oaxaca, Mexico? Everything.

Mexico's Hauntingly Beautiful Mansion Hotels

There's something special about hotels in old mansions — and in Mexico, there's no shortage of evidence.

Where To Stay Along Mexico's Pacific Coast

Mexico’s glorious Pacific Coast deserves mention with the most legendary destinations in the country.

This Week’s New Hotels

MICHELIN Guide hotel experts share their most exciting discoveries for the week of May 13.

Elevate Your Mother's Day Celebrations with Afternoon Tea at MICHELIN Hotels

How better to honor the woman who does it all for us?

MICHELIN Guide

Use the app to find the best restaurants and hotels everywhere

Be the first to get news and update about the michelin guide.

MICHELIN Guide selections

The michelin group.

• Terms of Use
• Privacy Policy
• Legal Notice

Display settings

Customize your experience by easily adjusting display settings for territory, and currency to suit your preferences!

Member privileges

The Plus program provides upgrades and amenities at participating hotels. For this hotel, Plus members will receive:

Non-members can add the privileges at checkout through our 30 day free trial, cancellable at anytime.

These Are Going to Be the Most Popular Travel Destinations in 2024

A lready thinking about where you want to travel in 2024 ? If you’re hoping to hit the hottest travel destinations of the year, Expedia Group is here to help. The one-stop travel site—alongside Hotels.com and VRBO—just released Unpack '24 , a travel trends analysis for the coming year. In addition to detailing the projected top 10 most popular international destinations of 2024, the site also revealed 10 “dupes” for travelers looking to perhaps spend a bit less, as well as those hoping to be surrounded by fewer fellow tourists. Additionally, they revealed 10 affordable cities where the world’s biggest musical acts are set to perform, as well as where to travel if you live a sober lifestyle.

“At Expedia Group, we have extensive first-party travel data that we use to enhance and curate experiences for our travelers across Expedia, Hotels.com, and Vrbo,” Jon Gieselman, president of Expedia Brands, says in the report. “These insights shape our travel forecasts, revealed in Unpack '24, enabling our travelers to be the first to discover and book the most desired trips before they become well-beaten paths.”

Ready to ignite your travel bug? Ahead, discover the most popular travel destinations of 2024.

The Top 10 Travel Destinations of 2024

Expedia Group predicts that travelers are most likely to jet set to destinations popularized in fan-favorite TV shows and movies. According to the report, “More than half of travelers say they’ve researched or booked a trip to a destination after seeing it on a TV show or in a movie. In fact, travelers say TV shows influence their travel decisions more than Instagram, TikTok, and podcasts.” With that in mind, they reveal that the top 10 travel destinations of 2024 are as follows:

• Thailand - Featured in White Lotus , Season 3—which has sadly been pushed to premiere in 2025
• Romania - Featured in Wednesday , Season 2—which has not yet set a release date
• Malta - As seen in Gladiator 2 , which is set to premiere on November 22, 2024
• Paris - As seen in Emily in Paris
• Scottish Highlands - Featured in Outlander
• London, Bath, and Windsor, U.K. - As seen in Bridgerton and The Crown
• South Korea - Featured in Squid Game —the Season 2 release date has yet to be announced
• Florida Keys - As seen in the series Bad Monkey
• Australia - Featured in Baz Luhrmann’s Faraway Downs series, as well as the film Furiosa , which is set to premiere on May 24, 2024
• Greece - as seen in the films Argylle (set to release in 2024) and My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3

The Top 10 Travel Destination Dupes

Dupes have long been lauded in the beauty and fashion categories, and now the concept is making its way to travel. “1 in 3 of those polled say they’ve booked a dupe,” the report reveals. “But what do these less obvious alternatives offer besides potential savings? They’re often less crowded, tend to be a little unexpected, and can be every bit as delightful as the tried-and-true destinations.”

Intrigued by the idea of booking a stellar vacation for a fraction of the price? Check out Expedia Group’s Top 10 Travel Destination Dupes, below, which are listed as the original destination of inspiration and the dupe that mirrors it.

• Seoul —> Taipei
• Bangkok —> Pattaya
• Santorini —> Paros
• Saint Martin —> Curaçao
• Sydney —> Perth
• London —> Liverpool
• Lisbon —> Palermo
• Geneva —> Québec City
• Zermatt —> Sapporo
• Nashville —> Memphis

The Top 10 Tour-Inspired Travel Destinations

Music lovers, this one’s for you! As you well know, traveling to see your favorite artists live is expensive, to say the least. With this in mind, Expedia set out to find the most affordable destinations where the world’s most famous pop and rock stars are set to take the stage in 2024.

Through their research, in which they analyzed the average daily rates of tour locations, they found the top 10 most affordable cities (less than $150/night on average) where travelers can witness the likes of Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, Coldplay, Metallica, Madonna, and more. They are as follows:

• Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - $91
• Edmonton, Canada - $108
• Mexico City, Mexico - $119
• Warsaw, Poland - $119
• Birmingham, U.K. - $127
• Houston, Texas - $130
• Antwerp, Belgium - $140
• Tokyo, Japan - $147
• Perth, Australia - $148
• Detroit, Michigan - $149

For more research-backed travel trends, be sure to check out Expedia’s full Unpack ‘24 Trend Report .

Security Alert May 17, 2024

Worldwide caution, update may 10, 2024, information for u.s. citizens in the middle east.

• Travel Advisories |
• Contact Us |
• MyTravelGov |

Find U.S. Embassies & Consulates

Travel.state.gov, congressional liaison, special issuance agency, u.s. passports, international travel, intercountry adoption, international parental child abduction, records and authentications, popular links, travel advisories, mytravelgov, stay connected, legal resources, legal information, info for u.s. law enforcement, replace or certify documents.

Tourism & Visit

Study & Exchange

Other Visa Categories

U.S. Visa: Reciprocity and Civil Documents by Country

Share this page:

Student Visa

Exchange Visitor Visa

Waiver of the Exchange Visitor Two-Year Home-Country Physical Presence Requirement

Some  exchange visitors  with J-1 visas are subject to a two-year home-country physical presence requirement. It requires you to return  home for at least two years after your exchange visitor program. This requirement is part of U.S. law, in the Immigration and Nationality Act, Section 212(e). If you cannot return home for two years, you must apply for a waiver. The Department of Homeland Security must approve your waiver before you can change status in the United States or receive a visa in certain categories.

Eligibility for a Waiver

Select  Eligibility Information  about J-1 exchange visitors are subject to the two-year home-country physical presence requirement and whether a waiver is available to you.

Instructions and the J-1 Waiver Recommendation Application

Select  Instructions and Online DS-3035  to learn more and access the online form  to request a recommendation for a waiver from the Department of State’s Waiver Review Division.

Before you apply - More information

• J-1 Waiver Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
• Advisory Opinions
• Processing Times
• Processing Fee
• Exchange Visitors Skills List - 2009
• State Public Health Departments
• Interested U.S. Federal Government Agencies
• Exchange Visitor Visas Information

After you apply – Status Check and Contact Updates

Select  J Visa Waiver Online  to change your address or contact information and to check the status of your waiver.

More Information

A-Z Index Latest News What is a U.S. Visa? Find a U.S. Embassy or Consulate Exchange Visitor Visa

External Link

You are about to leave travel.state.gov for an external website that is not maintained by the U.S. Department of State.

Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.

You are about to visit: