How it works
Experience American culture and add international skills to your resume.
Requirements
Review the eligibility requirements below to determine if your company meets the J-1 Intern/Trainee program requirements. See more in-depth resources.
Check if your company is eligible
Host companies 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
- Programs exceeding 6 months must be paid at least the state and local minimum wage. Shorter programs may be unpaid, but they must meet the U.S. Department of Labor’s Criteria for Unpaid Internships and are not eligible for a program extension if the total program length will exceed 6 months.Â
- Provide a professional training program in an office-type setting, with no more than 20% clerical or basic work. Home-based businesses are not permitted
- Training provided to interns and trainees must also be primarily in-person. Intern/Trainees may participate remotely no more than 40% of their program (e.g., two out of five days per week) if the host organization has instituted partial remote policies.
- There must also be at least 5 full-time, onsite employees per J-1 intern or trainee to ensure adequate training and supervision is provided.
- Each Phase Supervisor listed on the Training Plan must be onsite for the duration of their assigned phase.
- Be in business and operational for at least six months
- Have an English-language website and company-based email addresses
- Interview candidates via phone, webcam, or in person
- Agree to complete mandatory program evaluations and to notify InterExchange in case of an emergency or any changes to the training plan or supervision
- Consent to a site visit by InterExchange (for a one-time $250 fee) prior to program approval, if required
- If the host company has fewer than 25 employees and less than $3 million in revenue, InterExchange is required by the State Department to perform a site visit before approving you for the program
Required documents & information
All companies must also complete and submit the following required documents/information as part of the online application:
- Company Basics Details in your host record
- Proof of a current and valid workers’ compensation policy or equivalent insurance that covers J-1 participants at the site they will be training (or proof of exemption)
- Either a DUNS number or copy of your business registration
- A Federal Identification Number
- A Training Plan for the participant
- Attendance at a Host Employer OrientationÂ
- Required for the Main Program Supervisor before the application can be approved, but anyone who wishes to understand the process better may attend!
Is my industry eligible?
InterExchange is designated to sponsor programs in 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 TourismÂ
- If you are offering a program in the hospitality industry, be sure to review our hospitality requirements.
What training can my company 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
What types of training are prohibited?
Not all employers are permitted to host Interns and Trainees through InterExchange. We are not able to sponsor programs in which Interns or Trainees would participate in:
- Animal care or any handling of animals
- Child care
- Clinical work that involves any patient care or contact
- Dentistry
- Eldercare
- Social work
- Sports or physical therapy, psychological counseling
- Teaching
- Veterinary medicine
We also 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
- Trades or crafts (e.g. pottery, carpentry, metalworking, furniture-making, cabinetry)
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.
Process
Review the application process to host a J-1 Intern/Trainee.
1. Check eligibility
Review the eligibility requirements to determine if your company and participant meet the J-1 Intern/Trainee program requirements.
- Host Organization Requirements
- If you are offering a program in the hospitality industry, be sure to also review our hospitality requirements.
- Prohibited training activities and locations
- Participant Requirements
2. Attend the Host Orientation
- Sign up for the mandatory Host Orientation
- It is required that the Main Program Supervisor attends before the application can be approved, but anyone on your team may also attend!
3. Complete your J-1 Visa sponsorship application
- Create your InterExchange account.
- Sign up here
- If you already have an account with us, you can login here
- Visit our page on Applying for J-1 Visa Sponsorship for step-by-step application instructions.Â
4. Application review and U.S. Embassy visit
- Once the sponsorship application has been approved by InterExchange, the participant will then apply for their J-1 Visa at their local U.S. Embassy/Consulate. The wait time to schedule visa appointments vary depending on location and time of year.
5. Begin the training program
- Once the applicant has received their J-1 Visa, they will be all set to travel to the United States and begin training. Review our host organization resources for information on J-1 taxes, cultural exchange, and more. InterExchange is here to help you have the best hosting experience!
Costs
There’s generally no cost to host a professional intern or trainee. The intern or trainee is responsible for paying the program fees to participate in the program.Â
If you would like to cover the sponsorship cost, you may submit the appropriate program fees listed on our Costs and Fees page and submit payment here.
If a site visit of your organization is required, there is a one-time fee of $250. InterExchange is required by the State Department to perform a site visit of all host companies with fewer than 25 employees and less than $3 million in revenue.
