Full Answer
What are the necessary steps to obtain a J1 visa?
Your application must include the following documents:
- Form DS-3035 (with the barcode);
- Copies of every Form DS-2019/IAP 566 that you have received incident to your J-1 status;
- Two self-addressed, stamped legal-size envelopes;
- The application fee ($120 at the time of this writing, plus an additional $930 if you are also required to file Form I-612.) The application fee must be submitted by ...
What to do to become a J1 exchange program sponsor?
J1 exchange program sponsors must comply with government regulations, ensure a selection process is in place and appoint a Responsible Officer. What to do to become a J1 exchange program sponsor The United States Department of State welcomes fresh associations to be part of the exchange program sponsors to administer a program.
Is a visa sponsor allowed to terminate a J1 visa?
Yes, sponsors have the ability to terminate a J1 visa and do not need to consult any authorities or government agency prior to doing so. Your only real recourse, should a sponsor decide to terminate your visa, would be to contact the US Department of State, which oversees the program.
What are the requirements for the J1 visa?
- You have a no-objection statement from your country.
- You have a request for work by an interested US federal government agency.
- You may be persecuted if you go back to your country.
- Your US citizen spouse and children may suffer exceptional hardship if you go back.
- You have a request to stay from the Conrad State 30 Program.
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).
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.
Can you get a J-1 visa without a sponsor?
Do I need a sponsor? Yes. The State Department designates U.S. government, academic and private sector entities to conduct educational and cultural exchange programs. To participate in the Exchange Visitor Program, foreign nationals must be sponsored by one of the State Department-designated sponsors.
How much does it cost to sponsor a J-1 visa?
The 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.
What are the requirements for J-1 Visa?
In order to be eligible, participants must be between the ages of 15 and 18.5 by the first day of school. They must not have completed more than 11 years of primary and secondary school (excluding kindergarten), and they must not have previously participated in a secondary school exchange program in the US.
How long does it take to get a J-1 Visa USA?
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.
Is a j1 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 long is a j1 visa good for?
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 to apply for a sponsor visa J-1?
The first step to the sponsor visa J-1 application is opening an account on SEVIS (Student Exchange Visitor Information System). Through this portal you will find the online application. There, sponsor candidates are required to fill out information about the company, program, and program officers.
Do you need a sponsor for an EVP?
Because the EVP is meant for cultural exchange, rather than as a path to citizenship, participants must secure themselves a J-1 visa before visiting. Having a sponsor is a requirement of this visa. Additionally, sponsors are experts at guiding participants through the proper documentation and application procedures.
Can host companies sponsor interns?
It is also possible for host companies to sponsor interns themselves. If you represent a company that would like to streamline your Exchange Visitor Program, you may be wondering how to sponsor J-1 U.S. visa for foreign interns as a company. We’ll let you in on the basics.
Is the Sponsor Right for You?
Whether you're a prospect ive EVP participant or a host company searching for new J-1 visa sponsoring organizations, we are here to provide an insider look.
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.
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 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.
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 sponsors of exchange visitor programs.
The Second Step is Application Submission
Submit an application in SEVIS and remit the application fee (identified at §62.17).
The Third Step is Department Review
The Department review is a thorough and complete review of the application and all supporting material. During the review process, the Department may contact the applicant organization requesting additional information or clarification.
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.
Why is it important to pick up a J-1 visa?
This is why it is advisable to pick up J-1 visa employment that will give you a learning experience and valuable skills in your field of study.
What is the purpose of J-1?
It is very important to note that the primary purpose of the J-1 program for an international student is to study . The opportunity to work is just to help you gain practical experience and supplement your finance. This is to ensure that your job does not affect your course work.
What is an AT visa?
Academic Training (AT) is another J-1 visa employment opportunity. It is a program designed to give international students practical experience in their field of study. The rules surrounding AT vary from school to school, so be sure to ask the program contact for your school.
Do international students need to take tests?
Some on-campus employment like teaching assistantship might require international students to take some tests for which you will need to prepare.
Can a J-1 Student Work As Volunteer?
However, you must be sure you can distinguish between unpaid labor and volunteering. Volunteering in the U.S. as a foreign national can be complex and has requirements as laid down by the U.S. Department of Labor. Before you work as a volunteer, make sure you are aware of the regulations guiding the specific volunteering role you want to offer to avoid violating labor and immigration laws. Violating these regulations could result in penalties for you and the organization for unauthorized J-1 visa employment.
What is a J-1 visitor?
The J-1 classification (exchange visitors) is authorized for those who intend to participate in an approved program for the purpose of teaching, instructing or lecturing, studying, observing, conducting research, consulting, demonstrating special skills, receiving training, or to receive graduate medical education or training.
Who is responsible for DS-2019?
An official who is authorized to issue Form DS-2019 is known as a responsible officer (RO) or alternate responsible officer (ARO). Your RO or ARO will explain to you what documents are needed in order to be issued a DS-2019.
Who administers exchange visitor programs?
The Department of State (DOS) administers exchange visitor programs and designates the sponsors. Responsible officers within the program issue Form DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status. Exchange visitors come to the United States for a specific period of time to participate in a particular program or activity, as described on their Form DS-2019. Only J-1 exchange visitors may use this form when employment is part of their program. Currently, DOS designates public and private entities to act as exchange sponsors for the following programs.
Can exchange visitors extend their status?
Some exchange visitors may extend their status. If you have questions about any exchange visitor’s continued employment authorization, contact the responsible officer whose name and telephone number are on the employee’s Form DS-2019.
Does USCIS issue EADs to J-1 exchange visitors?
USCIS does not issue EADs to J-1 exchange visitors.
Can dependents of J-1 exchange visitors work?
Dependents of a J-1 exchange visitor are classified as J-2 nonimmigrants and are only authorized to work if we have issued an EAD to them. A J-2 nonimmigrant’s foreign passport and Form I-94 are not evidence of identity and employment authorization for Form I-9 purposes.
