A J-1 Visa is suitable for those who wish to study or obtain work related experience or training, under a specific exchange visa category.
Before you can apply for a J-1 Visa, you must first be accepted into an exchange visitor program through a designated sponsoring organization in the U.S. You can learn more at the Department of State website: J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program .
You can apply for a J-1 visa in the following categories:
-au pair and EduCare;
-Camp Counselor;
-Government Visitor;
-Intern;
-International Visitor (Department of State use);
-Physician;
-Professor and Research Scholar;
-Short-term Scholar;
-Specialist;
-Student, college/university;
-Student, secondary;
-Summer Work Travel;
-Teacher; and
-Trainee.
You can learn more about each of these categories here: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/exchange.html