Host Employer Requirements · Career Training USA

Review the eligibility requirements below to determine if your company meets the J-1 Intern/Trainee program requirements.

InterExchange Career Training USA can provide visa sponsorship for one or more participants, from anywhere in the world, and is open to eligible companies who meet the U.S. Department of State regulations.

Is My Company Eligible?

Your company must meet the following requirements to be eligible:

Abide by all federal, state and local labor and occupational health and safety laws, including compensation requirements and regulations

NOTE: Programs exceeding 6 months must be paid at least the state and local minimum wage

Provide a professional training program in an office-type setting, with no more than 20% clerical or basic work.

Training provided to interns and trainees must also be in-person. (During COVID-19, partially remote training may be permitted. Please contact us to discuss your circumstances further before applying.)

NOTE: Home-based businesses are not permitted

There must also be at least 5 full-time, onsite employers per J-1 intern or trainee to ensure adequate training and supervision is provided.

Be in business and operational for at least six months

Have an English-language website and a company-based email addresses

Interview candidates via phone, webcam, or in person

Consent to a site visit by InterExchange (for a one-time $250 fee) prior to program approval, if required

If your company has fewer than 25 employees and less than $3 million in revenue, we’re required by the State Department to perform a site visit before approving you for the program

Agree to complete mandatory program evaluations and to notify InterExchange in case of an emergency or any changes to the training plan or supervision

Required Documents/Information

All companies must also provide the following required documents/information:

Proof of a workers’ compensation policy or equivalent insurance that covers J-1 participants (or proof of exemption)
- View worker’s compensation policy example
Either a DUNS number or copy of your business registration
- Obtain your business registration here
A Federal Identification Number

What Training Can I Offer?

J-1 internships and training programs are intended to provide work-based training in an eligible field, enabling candidates to enhance their skills and prepare for their future careers. These programs may NOT be used for ordinary employment purposes or to fill a labor need. Therefore, host employers must:

Provide full-time (32-45 hrs per week), professional-level training and not displace full- or part-time, temporary, or permanent American workers

Provide training that does not require any sort of license or certification or entail commission-based activities

Develop an internship or training program, as outlined in the DS-7002 Training/Internship Placement Plan, that allows candidates to obtain skills, knowledge, and competencies through structured and guided training provided by U.S. employees who are qualified in the candidates’ fields

Ensure Interns and Trainees have sufficient exposure to U.S. culture and business practices and that your American staff is exposed to the culture and business practices of each candidate’s home country

Not attempt to extend an offer of employment or change the visa status of your Interns or Trainees, as it is required that they return home after completing the program

Is My Industry Eligible?

InterExchange is designated to sponsor programs in a wide range of fields that fall under the following categories:

Arts & Culture
Information Media and Communications
Management, Business, Commerce and Finance
Public Administration and Law
The Sciences, Engineering, Architecture, Mathematics and Industrial Occupations
Hospitality and Tourism
- If you are offering a program in the hospitality industry, be sure to review our hospitality requirements
Review our full list of approved training fields

What types of training are prohibited?

Not all employers are permitted to host Interns and Trainees through InterExchange. We cannot approve participants for sponsorship at the following locations:

Agricultural settings, such as farms or in wineries’ harvesting operations
Arcades
Bridal companies
Camps (consider our Camp USA program for camp positions)
Candy stores, mall kiosks, boardwalk booths, and stands
Convenience and grocery stores or superettes/mini-markets (consider our Work & Travel USA program for seasonal positions)
Call center, customer service, or phone operators, including tech and help desk support
Fast food or quick service restaurants or bakeries (consider our Work & Travel USA program for seasonal positions)
Fitness studios, gyms, pools, dance studios, personal training, or coaching
Garages
Gardens or parks
Gas stations or toll plazas
Landscaping companies
Pool management companies
Real estate agencies
Retail stores or locations and boutiques
Schools and other instructional facilities, including teaching & coaching
Spas, salons, or dog grooming companies
Staffing agencies

If you require staff at one of the locations mentioned above or would like seasonal staff to assist with tasks that are not appropriate for Career Training USA participants, our Work & Travel USA program may be able to help meet your needs.

If you are unsure whether the internship or training program you are offering falls under our list of fields, please contact Career Training USA.

In addition, we are not able to sponsor programs in which Interns or Trainees would participate in: