Who exactly is elegible to apply for j1, you were asking. Here is the answer! You need to be a student, preferably in the middle years, while last and first year students may also apply, chances are pretty low that you will be approved or you will be denied a visa. You need to have at least some knowledge of language of the country you are planning to got to. You do not have to be a fluent speaker and be able to ta talk about deep philosophical matters, but too often students find themselves strained because of inability to express themselves. Even if you have a guaranteed job, you will be given less hours and opportunities to earn money. You will pass a standard health and criminal check, but what happens if you committed a petty crime in your younger days or if you have HIV, I do not know.