how to sponsor a j1 visa

Can an individual sponsor a J-1 visa?

Yes. However, while companies can become sponsors for a J-1 visa, only a few international companies manage their own J-1 visa programs. Instead, most employers work with third-party sponsoring organizations to host foreign interns.

How much does it cost to sponsor a J-1 visa?

Fees for New J-1 ApplicationsJ-1 sponsorship fee – 15 business days$2,110Required SEVIS fee (effective June 24, 2019)$220Expedited processing – 5 business days (optional)$800J-2 dependent sponsorship for accompanying family members (if applicable)$750

Who can sponsor a J-1?

Only State Department-designated sponsors are authorized to issue the Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status (Form DS-2019), which is the basic document to support an application for an exchange visitor visa (J-1 Visa).

Do I need a sponsor for a J-1?

Application process for the J1 visa You will need to apply for your Certificate of Eligibility (Form DS-2019) through a designated sponsor organisation. Visit the Department of State J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program website for a list of U.S. sponsor organisations, and contact one of their Irish partner agencies.

Is a J-1 visa expensive?

The US State Department charges a Visa Application fee for every applicant. Currently the fee is $160 USD, however the fee is subject to change and applicants are advised to check on the US Embassy website prior to their embassy interview for the most up-to-date fee.

How much is a J-1 visa to USA?

$160The only J visa applicants who do not have to pay this $160 J-1 visa fee are applicants participating in “official U.S. government-sponsored educational and cultural exchanges” and their dependent children/spouses.

Is it easy to get J-1 visa?

J-1 visas are also quite easy to get approved. The length of stay depends on the type of activity. Those pursuing academic study may get a visa for up to three years, while camp counselors will typically only get a 3-month stay. Extensions are also variable, depending on the category of visa.

How do you become a J-1 host?

Requirements to Host a J1 Participant for American CompaniesWhat are the requirements to Host a J1 Participant?At least 3-4 full-time employees. ... Minimum of 32 Hours per Week. ... Minimum Salary is $1300. ... English Must be the Main Language. ... Valid Insurance Policy. ... Commitment to your Experience.

How do I hire a J-1 employee?

To hire J-1 students for your seasonal needs, you will work with one of the many companies and organizations that act as J-1 seasonal employee sponsors. For a fee, they can serve as your staffing agency, determining your hiring needs and advertising your job openings abroad.

How long J1 visa takes?

between 6-10 weeksHow long does it take to get a J1 Visa? The waiting period for a J1 U.S. Visa is usually between 6-10 weeks. Although it does depend on your country's cooperation with the American consulate.

How long can you stay in America on a J1?

Length of Time Business and Industrial Trainees Can Stay in the U.S. on a J-1 Visa. Business and industrial trainees may be issued J-1 visas for a maximum of 18 months.

How long does it take to apply for a J1?

The J-1 visa processing time for your Form DS-2019 is up to four weeks. The company needs that time to review your application, process your forms, and ship the DS-2019 directly to your home address. That means that the first step of the J-1 visa application process might take around a month.

Who Can be a J1 Visa Sponsor?

Sponsor organizations are appointed by the Secretary of State. They can be any of the following entities:

What is the requirement to sponsor a J1 visa?

To be eligible as a J1 visa sponsor, an agency must demonstrate its capability to comply and remain compliant with the Exchange Visitor Program regulations , as mentioned in 22 CFR Part 62.

What are the Requirements to be a J1 Visa Sponsor?

But they must meet certain requirements before they can become one. They have to meet two main requirements. Those are:

What does an agency need to demonstrate to sponsor a visitor program?

The agency should demonstrate that they’re legally capable of satisfying the obligations demanded by a visitor program. Each program varies, and you need to look into the specific program for the exact numbers. After an agency successfully becomes a sponsor, they will administer an exchange program.

What is a J1 sponsor?

J1 Visa sponsor is an independent organization which sponsors the above group of people for the J1 Visa. Then, they can work for a specific company or organization. Today, they handle over 500,000 J1 visa holders who come in from over 200 countries.

How many exchange visitors do you need to sponsor a J1 visa?

To remain eligible as a J1 Visa sponsor, you must successfully administer at least five exchange visitors annually. Federal agencies are an exception to this.

What is J1 administrator?

After an organization or agency has been approved as a J1 visa administrator, they’ll be responsible for a whole lot of things. Generally, an agency will be tasked to carry out a specific category of an exchange program. Take the example of the American Immigration Council.

How to contact J-1 Visa?

If you have any questions regarding your J-1 Visa training program you may contact us via telephone at 703-535-6365 or via e-mail.

How to contact SHRM for emergency J-1?

In the event of an emergency, any J-1 trainee or intern currently sponsored by SHRM or by the former Council for Global Immigration can also utilize SHRM's 24-hour J-1 participant emergency line at 1-888-330-4686. SHRM Exchange Visitor Program Team:

What is an exchange visitor?

The Exchange Visitor Program provides highly educated foreign employees and students the opportunity to visit the United States for a short amount of time to receive on-the-job training and engage in cultural exchange. Programs conducted under the Exchange Visitor Program utilize a nonimmigrant visa type known as the J Visa. SHRM is designated by the U.S. Department of State as a J-1 Visa sponsor for the trainee and intern programs.

What insurance is required for exchange visitors?

federal regulations for the J-1 program. All participants must be covered by an acceptable insurance policy that includes coverage for medical care, medical evacuation and repatriation for the entire duration of their training or internship program. It is the responsibility of the U.S. host organization to provide this insurance or to verify that each of its participants is covered by such insurance coverage that meets or exceeds the following minimum coverage requirements:

Who completes SHRM form?

This form must be completed in full and signed by the J-1 candidate and a representative of the U.S. host organization.

Does SHRM cover J-1?

Below are several insurance options previously used to cover J-1 trainees and interns. These plans are not officially endorsed by SHRM, and host organizations and/or participants should ensure that they select a coverage option that meets the Department of State requirements listed above and that the coverage is valid in all states where the J-1 program will occur.

Does SHRM provide medical insurance for J-1?

SHRM currently does not provide medical insurance for J-1 program participants. If a trainee or intern will not be covered under his or her host organization's or foreign employer's insurance policy, or if the provided coverage does not meet or exceed the U.S. Department of State requirements listed above, the trainee or intern must obtain his or her own insurance (as well as insurance for any dependents).

How much does it cost to sponsor a J-1 visa?

The J-1 visa sponsorship cost includes an application filing fee. This fee may vary from year-to-year, but in 2020, the non-refundable application fee is $3,982.

What does a sponsor do?

The sponsor works directly with candidates for paid internships in the U.S. for international students. The sponsor verifies that the student or recent graduate meets the requirements for internship in U.S. organizations, assists the student to apply for a visitor visa, and helps the student understand the U.S. internship’s visa cost.

What is the job of a sponsor for an internship?

Select and screen applicants: The sponsor is responsible for determining the applicants’ eligibility for both the internship program and a J-1 visa. This includes verifying the applicants’ English language proficiency, status as a student or recent graduate, and financial state. The sponsor must also verify that the applicants’ field of study matches the occupational designation for the internship program.

How many participants does an exchange visitor program have?

Your company will maintain its designation as an approved sponsor as long as it remains in compliance with the laws and regulations governing the exchange visitor program and actively operates its internship plan with at least five participants annually.

What are the responsibilities of a third party sponsor?

In fact, the sponsor plays an essential role in America’s exchange visitor program by verifying both the intern and host comply with the intent, requirements, and objectives of the program.

What do prospective sponsors need to provide?

Certifications: Prospective sponsors must provide signed certifications attesting that the company meets the requirements to act as a sponsor and will act in accordance with laws and regulations governing sponsorship.

Who is responsible for making sure the intern is onboarded, trained, supervised, and evaluated by the host?

This responsibility exists even if the sponsor and host are the same entity. Support interns: Once the applicants arrive in the U.S., the sponsor is responsible for making sure the intern is onboarded, trained, supervised, and evaluated by the host employer.

What is a third party sponsor?

Third-party sponsors are responsible for monitoring all aspects of the program, including orientation, placement and periodic evaluations to confirm compliance. They also support participants throughout their stay and ensure their health, safety and welfare.

What are the biggest mistakes employers make when working with a sponsoring organization?

One of the biggest mistakes employers working with a sponsoring organization make is not thinking about the training plan early enough in the process, Jackson said. "Thinking through what the training is going to look like with the business unit as early as possible saves time down the line. Building out the different components—who will be supervising, what are the learning objectives—the earlier that process starts, the quicker it can be refined for sponsor approval."

What is the host employer responsible for?

One of the first things the host employer is responsible for is coming up with an individualized Training/Internship Placement Plan (Form DS-7002). The plan—agreed on by the sponsor and the employer and then signed by the sponsor, employer and trainee or intern—details the internship or training location, whether there will be rotations through different departments, specific job duties, skills to be learned, and the amount and manner of compensation.

Do employers have to notify the sponsor organization of changes to the program?

Employers sometimes overlook the requirement to notify the sponsor organization if there are any changes to the program—whether the changes involve training; compensation; supervisors; work location; or the health, safety or welfare of the participant or any dependents.

Do multinational companies have J-1 visas?

A few large multinational companies manage their own J-1 visa programs, but most employers work with sponsoring organizations when looking to bring foreign trainees and interns to the United States for talent development.

How many years of experience do you need to be a sponsor?

Potential sponsors also must have over three years of experience working in the field of international exchange. If this is your company’s first time hosting interns, you’re not yet eligible to be a sponsor.

How to advertise an internship?

By advertising an internship on major websites (think sites like Linkedin), more people will learn about your company. Tons of new grads are looking for entry-level positions, so posting about your internship should generate plenty of online traffic.

Can an employer sponsor an intern?

Whether or not employers choose to become a sponsor or work with a 3rd party organization, they will have to meet certain J-1 visa employer requirements to host an intern or trainee. We outline a few of these requirements in the table below.

Can an international intern be a host company?

International interns and trainees can be an asset to any organization. We hope that this article made it clear how to follow rules and regulations to become a J-1 visa host company.

Do you need a visa to do a global internship?

The programs are a convenient option because they do not require anyone to secure a visa (no one is traveling, after all). However, this doesn’t mean that all plans go out the window. At Global Internships, we still require host companies to create a plan for virtual internships. This ensures that all parties have the best experience possible.

Do exchange visitors need insurance?

Exchange visitors in the U.S. must have the proper insurance coverage. We verify that all participants do. If not, we will help them find new coverage.

Can I Hire Someone with a J-1 Visa?

If you’re asking “can I hire someone with a J-1 visa?” The short answer is “yes!”

Interested in Becoming A Sponsor?

• BridgeUSA is an educational and cultural exchange that provides study and work-type experiences in the United States for foreign nationals in an effort to further the State Department’s public diplomacy goals. The Department welcomes and encourages new organizations to become spo…

See more on j1visa.state.gov

The Second Step Is Application Submission

The Third Step Is Department Review