Questions about J-1 Visa

[idoitchicagostyle]

Hi all, I hope you are doing well today.

I have some questions regarding J-1 visa. The information online is not particularly helpful, and I figure asking someone with actual experiences would be more sensible.

Background: I am applying to PhD programs in Political Science this coming fall. All of the programs I apply to will fund me fully for at least 5 years in the form of fellowship. I am married, so getting a J1-visa is particularly important for me because J-2 visa will allow my spouse to work (I know it is subject to further approval).

I did some research online. The official websites of the State Department or other schools are not very clear on whether fully-funded PhD students are eligible for J1. However, past posts in this forum, and other similar platforms (such as Quora, Reddit), seem to suggest, though uncommon, PhD can get J1, given their school decides to sponsor them.

So the situation seems to be: if the school is up to it, you can get J1. if they just do not do it as a practice, you are out of luck.

I am applying to a range of programs, and want to know specifically if these schools sponsor their PhD for J1 as a practice. I am hoping someone with previous experiences might help. And this can also serve as a future reference for others who have similar questions (I am sure there are and will be lots of them).

I am applying to: UC Berkeley, UCLA, UCSD, Univ Southern California, Stanford, MIT, Harvard, Columbia, Princeton, Cornell, Yale.

Does anyone know if these programs are willing to sponsor their PhD for J-1, for a fact?

Thank you so much.