How do I extend my stay to join a summer music seminar?

[clay2 0]

I am an exchange student holding a J-1 visa. My J-1 is going to expire on May 18 and a grace period till June 18. However, I am accepted into a summer music seminar dated from July 2 to July 14. The summer seminar can't sponsor me another J-1 visa as it is not a full time school but they can provide me a letter to prove that I am definitely going there. I would like to know is there any way to extend my stay till the end of the summer seminar? (It's only a month of extension) And I've got my flight home booked for July 16 also.

I am actually a full time student in a Uni in Singapore. I will definitely have to return school before August this year. Will a letter from my Uni stating that I will definitely go out of US helps? What other documents should I prepare to apply for the extension of stay? And also my aunt's family are all American citizens. Will this help to extend my stay too?

Thank you ...

[Boiler 43,401]

Sounds like a change of status to B2.

[clay2 0]

I called the Immigration officer yesterday. He said that my J-1 is not subject to extension or change of category as I am a short-term scholar. His advice was to try to apply for B2 in US. But he is not sure whether that is possible... Any clue?

[jaycali 415]

I called the Immigration officer yesterday. He said that my J-1 is not subject to extension or change of category as I am a short-term scholar. His advice was to try to apply for B2 in US. But he is not sure whether that is possible... Any clue?

Is your J-1 subject to section 212(E)? (The two-year foreign residency requirement).

It'll say at the bottom of your visa.

Edited April 5, 2012 by jaejayC

[clay2 0]

Is your J-1 subject to section 212(E)? (The two-year foreign residency requirement).

It'll say at the bottom of your visa.

Nope. It's not subject to section 212(E) ... I think there must be some misunderstanding happened in between.. I called the state government today. The officer there helped me to check my status and said that I am eligible to change status!