UAE Students Emirates Elite offers a competitive package including J-1 visas. The J-1 visa is for participation in an educational and cultural exchange program approved by the State Department. J-1 exchange visitors must pay a SEVIS I-901 fee of $220 to DHS prior to applying for a visa or change of status. Applicants requiring consular processing outside the US must submit a $185 DS-160 visa application fee to the US Department of State. It is often easy to get a J-1 visa sponsorship (unlike corporate work visas, which have a lottery cap).