Professional Training Program FAQ's |
Q. Who qualifies to be an international trainee?
Q. How long can I stay in the U.S.?
Q. How can I contact one of your international partners?
Q. What is the difference between an Intern and a Trainee?
Q. What is the difference between the J1 Visa Sponsorship Program and the Internship Placement Program?
Q. What is SEVIS?
Q. Is there a fee for SEVIS?
Q. What is the difference between a J-1 Visa and an H Visa?
Q. Does InterExchange issue the J-1 Visa?
Q. How can I get insurance?
Q. Can I buy a DS-2019 form?
Q. Can I have my DS-2019 form expedited?
Q. I have already had a J-1 Visa. Can I be sponsored by InterExchange for another J-1 Visa?
Q. I am currently participating in the Work & Travel program. Can I apply to the International Practical Training program?
Q. I have trained for one year at a U.S. company. Can I train at this company again?
Q. Can I be paid by my employer while on the Training program?
Q. Can I have a second job while participating in an Internship program?
Q. Can my spouse and children accompany me on the J-1 Visa?
Q. Is there a fee for dependents?
Q. I'm traveling outside of the US. What do I need to do?
Q. I lost my DS. What do I do?
Q. I have just arrived in the US. What do I do now?
Q. How do I apply for a Social Security card?
Q. What should I do if I move home address during the internship?
Q. How long can I stay in the U.S. after my internship finishes?
Q. Who qualifies to be an international trainee?
A. You must have at least an Associates Degree in the field of training(from a university outside the US) or five years related work experience to be considered for a Training Internship.
Q. How long can I stay in the U.S.?
A. You can stay for as long as the internship training period lasts: between one and eighteen months. After your internship is done, you can travel in the U.S. for up to 30 days.
Q. How can I contact one of your international partners?
A. Complete an Online Registration Form, and we will send you the name and contact information of the InterExchange Cooperating Partner if we have one in your home country.
Q. What is the difference between an Intern and a Trainee?
A. In order to qualify for the J1 Intern visa, an applicant must currently be a university student attending a university outside the US or have graduated in the past 12 months from a university outside the US. The applicant's Intern Program must be in their field of study.
In order to qualify for the J1 Trainee visa, applicants must have at least an Associates Degree(two years) from a university outside the US in the field that they wish to train or at least five years work experience in the field that they wish to train.
Q. What is the difference between the J1 Visa Sponsorship Program and the Internship Placement Program?
A. The J1 Visa Sponsorship Program is for a host employer who has already found a trainee/intern or a trainee/intern who has already found a host employer. The Internship Placement Program is for an employer who wishes for InterExchange to find a trainee/intern for them or an applicant who wishes to have InterExchange place them at a company in the US.
Q. What is SEVIS?
A. SEVIS is the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. All students and interns must be registered in the SEVIS database.
Q. Is there a fee for SEVIS?
A. It is a requirement as part of your J-1 internship program that you pay the appropriate fee to SEVIS prior to your visa appointment at the U.S. Embassy. Career Training will give you further instructions for online SEVIS payment after your application has been approved.
Q. What is the difference between a J-1 Visa and an H Visa?
A. A J-1 Visa is a temporary visa used for exchange visitor programs such as the Training program. The H Visa is a work visa. The J-1 is not intended to be a substitute for a work visa. If you want to be employed, you do not qualify for the J-1 Visa.
Q. Does InterExchange issue the J-1 Visa?
A. No. Upon acceptance of an application, InterExchange will issue a DS-2019 form. The trainee then brings the DS-2019 form to the U.S. embassy or consulate in her/his home country to apply for the J-1 Visa.
Q. How can I get insurance?
A. It is a requirement of the program that you have insurance coverage for the entirety of your stay in the U.S. InterExchange offers accident and sickness insurance at an affordable rate. Alternatively, you can arrange insurance through our partner agency in your home country or independently, as long as it meets our insurance requirements. Please contact Career Training USA for more details.
Q. Can I buy a DS-2019 form?
A. No. InterExchange cannot sell DS-2019 forms. A DS-2019 form is issued to a qualifying applicant upon InterExchange's acceptance of her/his application and full payment of program and insurance fees.
Q. Can I have my DS-2019 form expedited?
A. No. InterExchange does not have a "rush" option and cannot expedite applications. Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please submit your completed application to InterExchange at least six weeks prior to the date on which you intend to begin your training.
Q. I have already had a J-1 Visa. Can I be sponsored by InterExchange for another J-1 Visa?
A. Individuals who have previously participated in the Work and Travel or Student Internship programs, or have had J-1 Visas in other categories, are eligible for a J-1 Visa for up to 18 months through the International Practical Training program. Individuals are limited to 18 months of training on J-1 Training visas. Therefore, the total duration of training visas issued by InterExchange and/or other agencies may not exceed 18 months. An applicant is eligible to reapply for another J1 Trainee after returning home for a period of two years.
Q. I am currently participating in the Work & Travel program. Can I apply to the International Practical Training program?
A. You may apply to the Practical Training program, but you must return to your home country to do so. The International Practical Training program may not function as an extension of the Work & Travel program.
Q. I have trained for one year at a U.S. company. Can I train at this company again?
A. You can only train again at the same company if you were on an F-1 Practical Training visa, you have a degree from outside the US in the field of training, AND you feel as though you still need more training. Please note that it is very difficult to get accepted for more training at the same company. Please make sure you do need more training at this U.S. company. The J-1 Visa is NOT a replacement for a work visa.
Q. Can I be paid by my employer while on the Training program?
A. Yes. Internships may be paid or unpaid. Any pay or benefits should be arranged between the intern and his or her host company.
Q. Can I have a second job while participating in an Internship program?
A. Applicants on the J-1 Training visa are not allowed to have second jobs.
Q. Can my spouse and children accompany me on the J-1 Visa?
A. Yes. Your spouse and/or dependent children may accompany you for the duration of your internship. However, they would be on the J-2 Visa (also sponsored through InterExchange). Please indicate on your application that you will be bringing your spouse and/or children with you. You are responsible for purchasing insurance for your spouse and/or dependent children by submitting documentation of existing insurance coverage with a Confirmation of Existing Coverage form for each member of your family who will be accompanying you. InterExchange cannot provide insurance for dependents. The Confirmation of Existing Insurance form in the application must be completed/signed/stamp by the insurance provider confirming coverage beyond all stated limits.
Q. Is there a fee for dependents?
A. Yes. The program fee for the first dependent is $425 plus $100 for each additional dependent.
Q. I'm traveling outside of the US. What do I need to do?
A. Please submit your DS-2019 form to InterExchange for a signature for valid travel authorization. You can either come into the office in New York or mail the form to us (registered mail is advised). Please submit a cover letter with your DS that includes the dates of travel, the destination, and a return address where we can send the DS. If you would like us to overnight the DS back to you, please include payment of $20 for shipping.
Q. I lost my DS. What do I do?
A. You must notify InterExchange immediately. Upon receipt of $25, we will print you a new DS. If you would like us to overnight it to you, we will need an additional $20 for shipping.
Q. I have just arrived in the US. What do I do now?
A. Call or email InterExchange to let us know you have arrived. We will also need your updated mailing address so we can update your record in SEVIS. We will need the following to activate you in SEVIS: your date of arrival, your address in the US, your phone number, and a copy of your visa.
Q. How do I apply for a Social Security card?
A. After you have contacted InterExchange and we have activated you in SEVIS, you can apply for the social security card at the local social security office. We normally recommend that you wait 7-10 days after activation in SEVIS before applying for a social security card.
Q. What should I do if I move home address during the internship?
A. Please contact InterExchange with the new address details so that we can update your record in SEVIS.
Q. How long can I stay in the U.S. after my internship finishes?
A. You can stay in the U.S. for up to 30 days after your internship finishes. We encourage all interns to travel around the U.S. during this time.
