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The Washington, DC JEE Main test centre is now no more for 2027. NTA has listed Washington on its overseas city list for 2026, but the new JEE Main 2027 overseas city list consists of nine cities across seven countries—but not in the United States..
It impacts the Indian-origin students studying in high schools of Texas, California, New Jersey, Virginia, and other US states. In order to appear in JEE Main 2027, they would need to prepare for the examination in some city of India or any other country, as per the city selection policy of the NTA.
For H-1B families with H-4 students, Green Card holders, F-1 students and US citizens, an examination trip also raises entry and US re-entry questions. This guide explains the confirmed centre changes, international options, travel documentation, latest H-1B developments and the next steps for NRI aspirants.
Quick answer (reviewed October 26, 2026):Washington, D.C. (former code: ZZ15) is not included in the list of exam cities for the NTA JEE Main exam of 2027. There are nine foreign centers left in Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Nepal, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. Every test-taker may not be able to pick all of them.
The new NTA list of international centers does not contain Washington, DC anymore. This relates to the center from where candidates will take their test; it does not imply that students who are in the USA cannot appear for JEE Main. The registration is done online, and therefore, candidates will not have to go out of the country.
| Exam centre information | JEE Main 2026 | JEE Main 2027 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington, D.C. | Available | Removed |
| US examination city code | ZZ15 | Not applicable |
| Cities outside India | 15 | 9 |
| Countries with overseas centres | 13 | 7 |
| Test centre in the USA | Yes | No listed centre |
A student living in the USA should now make an examination and travel plan before committing to a destination. For the wider international centre guide, see JEE Main exam centres outside India.
NTA has announced the updated examination-city list, however, there is no mention in the available literature that provides the reason for the closure of the Washington center in a definitive manner. Therefore, it would be incorrect to make any assumptions on the grounds of H-1B policy, immigration policies, less number of registrations, or security issues.
Also, the revised list excludes Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Lagos, West Java, and Munich. The family should consider the list of cities published and not what could have caused this revision as the basis of the next decision.
There are nine overseas examination cities in seven countries in the revised list. The UAE is the only country with three listed cities. The city codes shown below are useful for checking the application form, but applicants must rely on the currently offered portal options.
| Country | Exam city | City code |
|---|---|---|
| Bahrain | Manama | ZZ01 |
| Qatar | Doha | ZZ03 |
| United Arab Emirates | Dubai | ZZ04 |
| Nepal | Kathmandu | ZZ05 |
| Oman | Muscat | ZZ06 |
| Saudi Arabia | Riyadh | ZZ07 |
| United Arab Emirates | Sharjah | ZZ08 |
| Kuwait | Kuwait City | ZZ10 |
| United Arab Emirates | Abu Dhabi | ZZ17 |
The fact that a city has been included by NTA in no way means that NTA will give every USA based student the freedom to choose it. Refer to TestPrepKart’s overseas JEE exam centre guide for broader centre planning.
The following two paths can be followed: Select any city in India provided in the application form or alternatively select the eligible international city if such an option is available to the candidate. Selection of cities by NTA is based on present/permanent address details; according to 2027 guidelines, candidates with foreign present/permanent addresses have to select at least one city in India.
Students cannot assume that simply because they are able to procure a visitor’s visa, they would be allowed to select Dubai, Kathmandu, or some other foreign city. It is only when the NTA portal allows for such a selection that the decision can be made.
Travel planning rule: Check what the NTA application actually allows before comparing airfares or making non-refundable bookings.
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The nine centres in foreign countries operate across seven countries, but having an exam city is no substitute for an entry permit. Passport citizenship, validity of visa, residency status, airline regulations and even transit visa play an important role in deciding whether the visit is feasible or not. Indian passport holders may enter into India with Indian passport without having Indian visa.
| Destination | JEE Main cities | What families should check |
|---|---|---|
| India | Indian cities available in the portal | Indian passport holders need no Indian visa; every traveller must separately confirm the documents needed to return to the USA. |
| UAE | Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah | Indian passport holders with US visas or green cards that meet certain criteria can enter as visitors through a special arrangement, which should be checked to confirm. |
| Nepal | Kathmandu | Nepal visa is not required for Indian citizens, but traveling further to the USA from Nepal will require an Indian Embassy NOC for third country. |
| Qatar | Doha | Nationality-specific visitor entry, accommodation and any Hayya or visa-on-arrival requirements. |
| Oman | Muscat | Whether the traveller qualifies for a short-stay exemption or must obtain a visa. |
| Bahrain | Manama | eVisa eligibility and supporting documents for each traveller. |
| Saudi Arabia | Riyadh | Tourist or other visitor-visa eligibility; qualifying US residence or visa documents may matter. |
| Kuwait | Kuwait City | Applicable tourist-visa or entry-approval rules for the passport held. |
These are entry considerations, not visa guarantees. Check the current government visa rules for each traveller before paying for flights, even if one family member has previously visited that country.
There are three cities that have UAE examinations. The UAE could be of interest to families thinking about sending their children to international schools. Citizens of India who hold certain valid US visas and Residence Cards, or Green Cards, would be eligible for special entry facilities into UAE, but subject to qualifying conditions.
Indian citizens generally enter Nepal without a visa using accepted Indian identity documents. However, the Embassy of India in Kathmandu states that Indian nationals departing Nepal for a third country must obtain a Third Country No Objection Certificate (NOC), subject to stated exceptions. The requirement can apply even to Indian passport holders with US visas or residency; airport passengers merely transiting Nepal without clearing immigration are treated differently.
Therefore, a travel route from USA to Kathmandu to USA could involve a more elaborate process than one might think when considering just that the travel is visa-free. Never assume that obtaining the NOC is not necessary since the student holds an H-4 visa or green card.
Such countries have their own electronic visa/tourist visa/conditional visitor entry system. The specific route depends on one’s passport, US residence or visa status, housing and other factors. An H-1B/H-4 visa and/or Green Card does not guarantee entrance to all the Gulf countries. Ensure that the arrangements are made separately for the student as well as his/her accompanying adult.
USA-Based Student? Plan Your JEE Main Exam Route
Don’t know how to work out JEE Main prep along with overseas test travel with US schooling? Discuss your schedule with TestPrepKart. Ensure that you confirm the final examination cities with NTA and visa requirements with the concerned authority.
A practical shortlist should be based on three filters: (1) city selectable on NTA’s portal, (2) legal entry to the destination, and (3) reliable re-entry to the USA. Compare cost and flight times only after all three are satisfied.
| Candidate situation | Option to investigate | Critical check |
|---|---|---|
| Indian passport holder with valid US visa and relatives in India | Exam city in India | NTA allotment and return travel before US visa expiry. |
| Indian passport holder with qualifying UAE entry documents | Dubai, Abu Dhabi or Sharjah if permitted by NTA | Specific UAE visitor entry eligibility and US re-entry documents. |
| Indian passport holder considering Kathmandu | Kathmandu if permitted by NTA | Indian Embassy third-country NOC before onward US departure. |
| Student whose US visa stamp has expired | Any trip abroad may create added risk | New visa issuance, interview requirements and unpredictable processing. |
| US citizen with OCI or an appropriate Indian visa | Exam city in India if permitted by NTA | Indian entry documentation and NTA nationality/category rules. |
Illustrative situations only: These are planning considerations, not personalised legal advice, confirmed NTA city eligibility or admissions predictions.
NRI students who are studying in their last year of high school in America have H-4 dependent status of their parents who hold H-1B work visas. Such students can give JEE Main exams as per the criteria of the NTA.H-4 status neither blocks the exam nor creates a special exam category. The harder question is often how the student and accompanying parent can return to the United States after the test.
An H-4 extension or an unexpired I-94 inside the USA is not necessarily a substitute for a valid visa stamp when travelling internationally. If a new stamp is needed, the student may need a consular interview and could face delays. Some exceptions exist but should be verified for the specific itinerary.
Traveling without the parent is possible depending on the age of the child and the immigration history of the family. Travelling alone does not mean that the student is exempt from carrying the documents proving their dependent status. Students whose parents are applying for extension of visa, change of status or have problems with visa stamping need separate immigration advice.
Planning JEE Main While Living in the USA?
Discuss exam readiness and the registration process with TestPrepKart. For visa and re-entry decisions, consult your immigration adviser.
Ask About JEE PlanningPolicy review date: October 26, 2026. US visa policy has evolved in ways that can complicate international examination travel. Importantly, a rule affecting certain H-1B employment petitions should not be confused with a direct fee imposed on school students.
US Presidential Proclamation number 9944, made on September 18, 2026, extended until September 21, 2027, the restrictions related to a $100,000 charge applicable to some H-1B applications regarding workers who work outside the US. The charge was prohibited from being collected as a result of federal court decisions such as that made on September 30, 2026.
This is not a JEE fee: The $100,000 issue does not mean every existing H-1B worker must pay that amount to return from a short trip, and it is not a fee imposed on H-4 students sitting JEE Main.
According to the US Department of State’s interview waiver program that takes effect on October 1, 2025, nonimmigrant visa applicants are required to undergo the consular interview except for certain exceptions. Online presence evaluation also covers H-1B and H-4 visas. The applicant applying for a new visa might have to undergo an appointment process.
State Department guidance issued July 15, 2026 generally directs nonimmigrant visa applicants to schedule visa interviews in their country of nationality or residence. Therefore, a family should not assume that a new H-4 stamp can be obtained conveniently during a brief JEE trip to the UAE, Qatar or Nepal.
Parents whose children have new petitions, visas that have expired, employers who have changed, or immigration cases in process will benefit from getting specific advice about their own case before traveling abroad.
Immigration status of the student in USA and their passport nationality are two separate issues. A student who is a permanent resident in the USA and holds an Indian passport does not have the same nationality status as a US born student having a US passport.
| US status | May apply for JEE Main? | Main travel consideration |
|---|---|---|
| H-4 dependent | If eligible under NTA rules | Visa validity, I-94 and proof of dependent status. |
| H-1B worker | If eligible under NTA rules | Current petition, employment and re-entry documentation. |
| US Green Card holder | If eligible under NTA rules | Valid permanent-resident documents, passport and length of absence. |
| F-1 student | If eligible under NTA rules | I-20 travel endorsement, SEVIS status and visa re-entry requirements. |
| L-2 dependent | If eligible under NTA rules | Appropriate dependent-status and visa documents. |
| US citizen | If eligible under NTA rules | US passport and visa/OCI status for the destination. |
| OCI cardholder | If eligible under NTA rules | Foreign passport, valid OCI documentation and the destination rules. |
The permanent resident does not have to get an H-1B or H-4 visa to enter back into the US; however, he needs to have a valid document of his permanent residency in order to enter. The short trip is usually different from the long stay in terms of residency requirements.
American citizens require valid passports and the respective permission from the destination country for entering that country, like a valid visa for entering India. F-1 students will be required to review their I-20 form, valid travel signature, SEVIS record, and visas. Immigration category is not an alternative to academic criteria of JEE Main. Read JEE eligibility criteria for NRI and OCI students for the examination/admission distinctions.
Apply using accurate nationality, present address and permanent address information. The selection of cities using NTA’s address-based city selection criteria for 2027 may limit your choice of cities based on rules, and if your address is not in India, you must select an Indian city.
Application correction period is not a surefire guarantee that all preferences will be amendable. For a detailed guide, visit thestep-by-step JEE Main registration guide.
The students are capable of registering for the program from their houses in America. The registration process will be different from traveling to a designated test city.
| Stage | Action | What USA students should check |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Registration | Create an account with accurate identity and contact details. | Consistent name, DOB, nationality and contact information. |
| 2. Application form | Enter school qualifications, paper and city preferences; upload files. | Foreign qualification documents and accepted city choices. |
| 3. Fee payment | Pay online and download confirmation. | Payment success and secure copies of records. |
For a complete walkthrough of the application form, required details, document uploads and fee payment, read our step-by-step JEE Main registration procedure for students in the USA.
For students of the Non-resident Indian category preparing for an engineering entrance in India, the exam is just one of many steps: After taking JEE Main, one could take JEE Advanced, JoSAA, or DASA depending on the institution and category of the candidate.
Applying for JEE Main 2027 From the USA?
Have queries regarding the process of applying or any school forms or preparing for the JEE? Ask your queries at TestPrepKart before you apply.
NTA opened Session 1 applications on October 24, 2026. Deadlines are expressed in Indian Standard Time (IST); students in US time zones should convert them carefully and avoid last-day payment attempts.
| Session 1 event | Published schedule |
|---|---|
| Registration starts | October 24, 2026 |
| Regular application deadline | November 22, 2026, 11:50 PM IST |
| Late registration (additional fee) | November 23–26, 2026 |
| Correction window | November 27–29, 2026 |
| Exam-city intimation | December 30, 2026 (scheduled) |
| Admit card | January 13, 2027 (scheduled) |
| Examination | January 20–24 and January 28, 2027 |
The published bulletin also provides a separate Session 2 timeline. Follow subsequent NTA notices for revisions to registration, admit-card and examination arrangements.
The trip for the exam should not be planned simply by taking into account the city of preference or an outdated list of exam centers. The family can follow the decision-making steps below to minimize unnecessary complications.
| When | Check before proceeding |
|---|---|
| Before applying | Academic eligibility, citizenship and address details. |
| During registration | Only select exam cities available for the applicant in the NTA portal. |
| Before paying for travel | Destination visa, transit permissions and US re-entry requirements. |
| When city slip is issued | Allotted city; reassess flights and accommodation. |
| When admit card is issued | Exact venue, date, shift, reporting time and examination ID. |
| Before departure | Passport, visas, supporting documents, minor’s travel consent and airline rules. |
| Before returning to the USA | Correct visa/Green Card documentation and any Nepal third-country NOC. |
JEE Main eligibility depends on recognised qualifying examinations and the specific NTA rules. Citizenship and OCI status also matter for subsequent college admission routes. A student’s H-4 status, Green Card or parent’s H-1B employment is not by itself a DASA or IIT admission category.
| Student objective | Route to check |
|---|---|
| IIT B.Tech: Indian-citizen NRI | JEE Main qualification → JEE Advanced → applicable JoSAA seat allocation. |
| IIT B.Tech: eligible foreign national / OCI-foreign category | Current JEE Advanced direct-registration and foreign-national rules. |
| NIT/IIIT via DASA | JEE Main rank plus DASA nationality, schooling and counselling requirements. |
| NIT/IIIT through ordinary counselling | JEE Main and relevant JoSAA/CSAB eligibility rules. |
For details, use TestPrepKart’s JEE Main and JEE Advanced guide for NRI students, DASA UG admission guide, NIT admission for NRI students and DASA/CIWG seat matrix.
No. Washington, D.C., was on the 2026 overseas list but has been removed from the revised 2027 city list.
No city in the United States appears on the current 2027 overseas examination-city list.
They can select eligible cities offered by the NTA portal, subject to the address-based preferences and final allotment.
Yes, if they meet the applicable academic and exam eligibility conditions. H-4 status alone does not prevent them from applying.
No blanket payment of this kind applies to every returning family. The disputed policy concerns certain H-1B employment petitions, and implementation was blocked by court rulings as of October 2026.
An eligible student can consider an Indian exam city, but US permanent residence and passport nationality have separate implications for entry and admission classification.
Potentially, subject to NTA eligibility; the subsequent IIT/DASA category may be different from that of an Indian citizen.
Only if that choice is offered for the candidate by NTA. Destination-country permission is a separate requirement.
Indian citizens generally need no Nepal visa, but departing Nepal for the USA may trigger the Indian Embassy third-country NOC requirement.
Only changes NTA permits during an official correction period. An edit is not guaranteed for every field.
Yes. Online registration does not remove the need to travel to the allotted examination location.
No. It depends on whether the student seeks IIT B.Tech admission and on their nationality/category; NIT/DASA routes follow other criteria.
The removal of the Washington, D.C., centre changes where USA-based aspirants can appear, not their right to apply if they meet NTA’s rules. The best practical plan is to confirm available cities, establish the legal entry and US re-entry position of every traveller, and then budget and book the trip. A cheaper destination is not a better choice if visa or return-travel requirements remain unresolved.
Families preparing for engineering admission should distinguish the JEE Main examination, JEE Advanced selection and any DASA/CIWG counselling requirements. Additional help is available in the DASA counselling procedure and JEE Main previous-year papers guides.
Preparing for JEE Main 2027 From the USA?
TestPrepKart can help students plan Physics, Chemistry and Mathematics preparation alongside US high-school studies. Travel and immigration decisions should be checked separately with the relevant authorities.
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