Frequently Asked Questions
Whether you’re considering employing international interns or trainees or are trying to find J-1 Visa sponsorship for an internship program in the USA, you probably have a few questions. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions we hear from prospective employers and participants in InterExchange Career Training USA. For a more extensive list of questions, view our complete list of questions from employers and questions from interns & trainees.
Top 5 Employer Questions
- Why should I hire an international intern or trainee?
- What’s the difference between an intern and a trainee?
- Won’t it be expensive to hire an international intern or trainee?
- What is a J-1 Visa?
- What if I already know someone who I’d like to hire?
View all frequently asked questions from employers.
Top 5 Intern & Trainee Questions
- What is InterExchange Career Training USA?
- What are the eligibility requirements for the program?
- How do I find an internship?
- How long can I stay in the USA?
- How do I apply?
View all frequently asked questions from interns & trainees.
Top 5 Employer Questions
1. Why should I hire an international intern or trainee?
A. With everything they have to offer, the question may be “Why shouldn’t you hire an international intern or trainee?” Not only do they enhance your business with a valuable international perspective, they also offer a variety of talents and experience, including multi-lingual skills. Additionally, they can stay with your company longer than most American interns—up to 18 months—and can begin their program at any time during the year. Learn more about the benefits of international internships and trainee programs.
2. What’s the difference between an intern and a trainee?
A. The main difference between interns and trainees has to do with their education and experience.
Interns must be current students or recent graduates of a post-secondary academic institution outside the U.S. that grants degrees or professional certificates. If they’ve completed their studies, they must start the internship program within one year of graduating. Interns are permitted to work in the U.S. for up to 12 months, and their field of training must be related to their field of study.
Trainees must have earned a degree or professional certificate from an overseas post-secondary academic institution and have at least one year of related professional experience acquired outside the U.S. Alternatively, if they do not have a degree or certificate, they must have at least five years of related professional experience acquired outside the U.S. Trainees are permitted to work in the U.S. for up to 18 months, unless they are participating in a Hospitality/Tourism program, which cannot exceed 12 months. Their field of training must be related their professional experience but not necessarily to their degree.
3. Won’t it be expensive to hire an international intern or trainee?
A. No, that’s just one of the myths about hiring international interns and trainees. In fact, the program is very affordable. There are no program, visa, or placement fees for employers to host an international intern or trainee. If you are an employer with fewer than 25 employees or less than three million dollars in annual revenue, we are required by the program regulations to perform a site visit at your organization prior to approving you as an employer. There is a one-time fee of $250 to perform a site visit. If your company is approved and you successfully host an intern/trainee through the program, no additional visits or fees will be required.
4. What is a J-1 Visa?
A. The J-1 Visa is a non-immigrant visa issued through the Exchange Visitor Program. Entry into the U.S. as a participant in the Exchange Visitor Program is granted with the understanding that participants will complete the objectives of their program category. The program categories offered through Career Training USA are "intern" and "trainee."
5. What if I already know someone who I’d like to hire?
A. Call 1-888-621-1202 or email us to inquire about the J-1 Visa Sponsorship program.
Top 5 Intern & Trainee Questions
1. What is InterExchange Career Training USA?
A. InterExchange Career Training USA is available to students and young professionals from countries outside of the USA. The program provides participants temporary opportunities to gain international experience and advance their careers in their home countries. InterExchange is designated by the U.S. Department of State to provide J-1 Visa sponsorship for international interns and trainees who find their own internships.
2. What are the eligibility requirements for the program?
A. To find out if you are eligible for the program, review the participant requirements.
3. How do I find an internship?
A. Most participants in our program have already been hired for an internship or trainee program by an employer in the U.S. InterExchange provides J-1 Visa Sponsorship for these participants. We encourage you to look for an internship independently. Please review our tips about finding an international internship.
4. How long can I stay in the USA?
A. The maximum duration of the J-1 Intern Visa is 12 months. The maximum duration of the J-1 Trainee Visa is 18 months. Hospitality/Tourism training programs are limited to 12 months, per the program regulations.
5. How do I apply?
A. InterExchange strives to make the application process as simple as possible, while adhering to U.S. government requirements. Please review our application process.
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