Our Programs
J-1 Internship and Trainee Visa Programs
Opportunities to gain hands-on professional experience
Advance your
career with
professional
experience in the
U.S.
Apply Today The J-1 Intern and Trainee Exchange Visitor Program provides a unique opportunity for individuals worldwide to gain hands-on professional experience through internships or training programs in their chosen academic or occupational field while immersing themselves in American culture. This non-immigrant visa program is part of the 15 categories of the J-1 BridgeUSA program., facilitating cross-cultural understanding and exchange, allowing participants to build meaningful relationships and broaden their global perspectives.
Host companies and organizations can enrich their workplace, develop and evaluate talent with on-the-job training and early career talent development programs and access fresh and diverse perspectives. Participating in this J-1 BridgeUSA program allows organizations to build a skilled workforce and contribute to global cultural exchange.
The J-1 Trainee visa is for experienced professionals seeking career development opportunities in the U.S. for up to 18 months, offering them a chance to engage with U.S. professionals and learn about American business practices.
The J-1 Intern visa is for students and recent graduates from universities outside the country who want to apply for an internship in the USA, to gain practical experience in their field of study for up to 12 months.
Annually, more than 3,000 individuals from around the world and nearly 600 U.S. corporate, educational, and organizational entities turn to Cultural Vistas as the trusted solution for J-1 Visa sponsorship for internship and training programs. Through this program, participants return home with not only enhanced professional skills but also a deeper understanding of American society and values, contributing to their personal and professional growth.
Program & Fee Details
As a J-1 BridgeUSA sponsor, Cultural Vistas administers a range of exchange programs, including those that require a United States internship visa, in compliance with the Department of State’s public diplomacy goals and visa requirements. As part of this, we also offer program placements for Korea WEST and IAESTE.
Once an exchange visitor has secured an internship or training opportunity or a host company has identified the individuals they wish to host in the U.S., we provide assistance and services to both parties including:
- Sponsorships from most countries, in most fields, at any time of the year
- Timely program review and evaluation, including DS-7002 (Training Plan) and application assistance
- Options for expedited application processing (5 or 10 business days)
- Issuance of the “Certificate of Eligibility for J-1 Visa” (Form DS-2019) to successful applicants
- Comprehensive health and medical insurance coverage
- Arrival and acculturation assistance, including comprehensive orientation materials
- 24-hour emergency support for exchange visitors and host organizations
- Program monitoring through a dedicated client relations team and regular evaluation
- Cultural and educational activities and networking events in select cities
- Access to free tax software for exchange visitors
Cultural Vistas is authorized to sponsor J-1 exchanges, including visa internships or trainee programs, in the following fields:
- Arts and Culture
- Business, Management, Commerce, and Finance
- Education and Social Sciences, Library Science, Counseling and Social Services
- Health-related Occupations
- Hospitality and Tourism
- Information, Media, and Communications
- Public Administration and Law
- Sciences, Engineering, Mathematics, Architecture, and Industrial Occupations
The U.S. Department of State and Cultural Vistas have established criteria that must be met in order to be eligible to participate in a J-1 exchange program.
Before applying for a J-1 intern/trainee visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate, you must first apply for and be accepted into an exchange visitor program through a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsoring organization, such as Cultural Vistas.
J-1 Interns & Trainees must be non-U.S. citizens, at least 18 years old, and proficient in English.
Eligible Individuals for the J-1 Intern Visa
- To qualify under the J-1 intern requirements, individuals must be currently enrolled full-time and actively pursuing a degree or professional certificate in the desired training field from a foreign ministerially recognized post-secondary academic institution.
- Or have graduated from such an institution* no more than 12 months prior to the desired internship start date
- may complete multiple J-1 internships if all requirements continue to be met and the collective program duration does not exceed 12 months OR 90 days have elapsed between programs.
Internships must be in the candidate’s field of study and can last from 3 weeks up to a maximum of 12 months.
Eligible Individuals for the J-1 Trainee Visa
- To meet the J-1 trainee requirements, participants must have a degree or professional certificate in the desired training field from a foreign ministerially recognized post-secondary academic institution* and at least one year of prior related full-time work experience** in your occupational field outside the United States
- Or five years of work experience** outside the United States in the desired training field
- Additional training programs can be completed after at least two years of residency outside the U.S. and if all eligibility requirements are met.
Training programs can last from 3 weeks up to a maximum of 18 months
* Ministerially-recognized institutions are post-secondary academic institutions recognized by a country’s governmental body such as a ministry or department of education. Primarily vocational education may not qualify. Please call to discuss your education before applying.
** Work experience gained before or during degree programs may not count towards eligibility.
Additional Eligibility Information
- Applicants must demonstrate recent experience in the field for which they are requesting an internship or training experience.
- Applicants must have related work or education within the six months prior to the program start date.
- Applicants must intend to enter the United States solely for the purpose of internship or training; not to abandon non-immigrant status.
- Applicants must not intend to change status while in the United States.
- Applicants must live in the U.S. for the duration of the program.
- Applicants must be able to function in an English-speaking environment, during work and non-working hours. This must be verifiable via documentation from an educational institution, English language test, or interview with Cultural Vistas staff.
- Applicants who located their internship through recruitment agencies or other third party organizations may not be eligible.
Cultural Vistas considers many factors when assessing host company eligibility – both those required by the U.S. Department of State and those stipulated by our policies – in order to maintain program quality.
Host organizations must have sufficient capacity and resources to provide a structured and meaningful experience that enhances the professional skills of interns and trainees while providing insight into American customs and business practices.
Eligible Host Companies and Organizations:
- Have been incorporated and in operation for at least one year and have at least five full-time staff at the training location.
- Have a valid Employer Identification Number (or Tax ID number) and a current Worker’s Compensation policy (where required)
- Can offer a schedule of a minimum of 32 hours per week and demonstrate robust, well-planned training objectives and activities
- Have sufficient resources to provide onsite supervision and mentoring by experienced staff
- Can facilitate educational and cultural learning opportunities for exchange visitors in and outside the workplace
Use of the Exchange Visitor Program for ordinary employment or work purposes is strictly prohibited. Host organizations must not utilize interns or trainees to displace American workers, nor should they intend to assist individuals in remaining in the United States beyond authorized program dates.
Host companies and organizations must also abide by all federal, state, and local labor and wage laws. This includes laws relating to withholding applicable taxes as appropriate.
- J-1 interns and trainees pay federal, state, and local taxes but are exempt from FICA and FUTA taxes. If compensated by a U.S. entity, they are required to obtain a Social Security Number in order to be paid wages.
- J-1 Interns and Trainees should not be considered independent contractors, and compensation cannot be based on tips.
- All Intern and Trainee applicants must be interviewed by either the U.S. host or the sponsor. For the J-1 Visa, such interviews must be documented and performed via videoconference, phone, or in-person. Hosts will confirm these details in the host company application.
Limitations or Exceptions
- Interns and trainees cannot work in unskilled or casual labor positions or in positions that require more than 20 percent clerical or office support work.
- Also, positions that require or involve childcare, pre-schools or elder care, or in any position involving medical patient care or contact are not allowed. This includes dentistry, veterinary medicine, psychological therapy, and sports or physical therapy. Further, programs in sports coaching, construction trades, carpentry, home electricians, or auto-body shops will not be approved.
- Sites which are camps or residential facilities, economy hotels, fast-food, bakeries, home-based construction businesses, retail or home offices are also not eligible for Cultural Vistas’ sponsorship.
In addition, host companies and organizations must ensure their Interns and Trainees notify us of their arrival and complete all required evaluation forms. They should also provide orientation upon arrival to ensure their Interns and Trainees are prepared to participate in the program and clearly explain company rules, policies, and any benefits to which they are entitled.
Cultural Vistas is dedicated to remaining an affordable option for international students, professionals, and host companies seeking to bring international Exchange Visitors to their organizations. Our fee structure is outlined below. Please note that this structure is subject to change.
Required Fees + Services
Program, insurance, and SEVIS I-901 fees are mandatory for all programs. Fees are per participant and based on program length and participant status.
Program Fees
The program fee covers the evaluation and administrative support Cultural Vistas provides through the participant and host company application process; the issuance of visa sponsorship documents; orientation and resources provided to participants in preparation for their arrival to the U.S.; maintenance of the participant’s SEVIS record and on-going support throughout the training program; services including a 24 hour hotline available to participants and resources for filing appropriate tax forms; cultural activities organized in major U.S. cities; and more.
Health Insurance
Participants are required to have insurance through Cultural Vistas. We offer three options for individual health insurance: Standard Lite for $60/month, Enhanced for $100/month, and Family Lite for $120/month. Accompanying family members on a J-2 may select either Standard Lite for $60/month or Family Lite for $120/month.
As a part of your health insurance, you will have access to Telus’s confidential and anonymous online counseling services. Telus is a virtual emotional wellness and mental health support service designed to help students and other eligible participants with emotional, cultural, and mental health challenges. You are encouraged to utilize this free, confidential, virtual therapy service to support your mental health. Telus can be accessed through the Healthcare Zone.
SEVIS I-901: $220
The SEVIS I-901 fee is a federally mandated fee that supports SEVIS, an automated system that tracks exchange visitors’ activity in the United States. Cultural Vistas pays the fee on behalf of the exchange visitor and issues a copy of the receipt. The receipt is then shared with the exchange visitor along with their other visa documents.
Please note that all J-1 Visa applicants must pay a fee of $185 to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate where they interview for the visa. Canadian citizens are exempt from scheduling an interview and paying this fee.
Other Fees + Services
New Host Company: $300
Companies working with Cultural Vistas for the first time (or after a hosting gap of 3 years) must pay a one-time orientation fee. This fee covers vetting for eligibility and suitability and ensuring that your company meets the standards that are outlined by the U.S. Department of State for all J-1 Visa host companies. This fee is non-refundable and cannot be paid by the J-1 candidate. This is to guarantee that companies understand their responsibilities as a U.S. host company to a J-1 Visa holder (this includes training, supervision, evaluations to be completed by trainee and supervisor, etc). Once a company has hosted a successful training program, its registration is considered complete, and it can host subsequent programs. (A successful program is defined as a program during which both the mid-term and final evaluations were completed as required).
Site Visits: Regular $300/Expedited $1,500
In-person site visits are required for companies with less than twenty-five full-time employees and less than $3 million in revenue. A host company can request an expedited site visit to be conducted within five days of application submission.
Optional Expedited Processing Fee: $1,350
All complete applications are processed in 4 – 6 weeks. Application evaluations can be completed in five or ten business days by choosing “expedited service” on the individual or host company application form.
5 business days – $1,500
10 business days – $1,350
Travel Validation: $50
All exchange visitors traveling anywhere, excluding within the U.S., Canada, or Mexico, during their program must have their DS-2019 approved for travel.
DS-2019 Replacement: $100
This fee applies to amendments and replacement of the DS-2019 form.
Program Extension: varies
This fee applies if you request to extend the length of an active program.
| Program Extension Length | Fee |
|---|---|
| Up to 3 additional months | $550 |
| 3 to 6 additional months | $650 |
| over 6 additional months | $750 |
J-2 Application Fee: $750
This is the application fee for issuance of the DS-2019 Form for dependents of J-1 applicants. Extensions are available on a case-by-case basis.
J-2 Health Insurance: $60/month or $120/month
Health insurance coverage is required for J-2 dependents. Accompanying family members on a J-2 visa may select either Standard Lite for $60/month or Family Lite for $120/month.
During the on-boarding process for new host companies, we will ask you to:
- Review the J-1 Host Company Eligibility Requirements to confirm your company meets the requirements as a potential host company.
- Complete our Host Company Application Request Form, which allows us to assess your company’s eligibility and proposed training program. This information is required for all program applications.
- Take part in a brief video orientation with a Cultural Vistas representative to learn more about the J-1 program. Please note that we cannot process an application until the orientation is completed and the exchange visitor application is received.
- Pay a new company fee that will be required if you have not previously worked with us. Please see the Costs section for more information.
Site Visits
A Cultural Vistas representative may visit your company or organization to ensure basic hosting requirements as defined by the U.S. Department of State are met. The site visit must be completed prior to issuing the DS-2019 and typically lasts no more than one hour. The need for a site visit will be assessed after receiving a completed application. Visits are required when a company:
- Has fewer than 25 employees at the program site
AND - Generates annual revenue of less than $3 million
Host companies who have not hosted a successful program* with Cultural Vistas within three years prior to submitting a new program application will be subject to New Host Company on-boarding.
*The U.S. Department of State defines a successful training program as one in which the participant has submitted required evaluations to the sponsoring organization. Programs of six months or less only require a final evaluation and programs longer than six months require both a midterm and final evaluations.
During site visits, prospective hosts are expected to provide a copy of their workers’ compensation policy, a quick tour that shows where the intern or trainee will be working, and to answer additional questions about the information submitted in the Training/Internship Placement Plan. Please note that academic and government institutions are usually exempt from the site visit requirement.
Cultural Vistas is pleased to work with you and your clients on your J-1 needs and inquiries. As experts in all matters pertaining to J-1 Research Scholars, Short-term Scholars, Specialists, Intern, Trainee, and Teacher programs, we can address any requirement or regulatory questions that you or your clients may have.
Attorneys can expect subject matter expertise, a streamlined application process, competitive rates, and an array of services to support your clients’ success throughout their U.S. J-1 visa program.
For the J-1 Intern/Trainee program, we offer:
- Eligibility reviews: If you are unsure of a candidate or a program’s eligibility or have a unique circumstance, please feel free to call or send us a request for an initial assessment. We will advise whether we can consider the application for sponsorship. However, approval is not guaranteed. Include a detailed resume and brief overview of the company and program in your requests.
- Personalized support and ways of working together: This means we can customize your level of involvement in the application process. You can refer your clients directly to us, serve as a liaison for your client (and be included in all communications), or we can work directly with you on your client’s behalf, which includes granting you access to our online application portal. We are also happy to meet with you and your team to provide education about the J-1 BridgeUSA program and our designations.
- In addition, we will provide proactive communication, fast turnaround times, and support before, during, and after the application process and program. This includes application assistance, DS-7002 and DS-2019 issuance, pre- and post-arrival support, and compliance and risk management, etc.
Initiate an application or submit an inquiry.
Both the J-1 candidate and the host company must apply to Cultural Vistas. Please begin the process here.
- Once submitted, Cultural Vistas will review both applications for eligibility to participate in these expertise-sharing programs. If deemed eligible for sponsorship, Cultural Vistas will issue the necessary sponsorship documents and guide the parties through the subsequent steps.
- A $300 one-time fee applies for host companies new to Cultural Vistas to cover the cost of the evaluation and vetting process. Please see the New Host tab for next steps.
- For additional questions regarding the application process, program eligibility requirements, or fees and refund policies, host companies and J-1 candidates for scholars and specialists can contact us at bd@culturalvistas.org.
Step-by-Step Application Process For J-1 Internship/Trainee Visa
Cultural Vistas is committed to providing a streamlined visa application process for all our clients.
The standard processing time for J-1 sponsorship evaluation and DS-2019 issuance is 4 – 6 weeks from the date a completed application is submitted*. Please see Cost and Fees above for expedited processing.
The DS-2019 is the official document confirming J-1 Visa eligibility under Cultural Vistas’ sponsorship. It is not a visa. Once an applicant’s program is approved and the DS-2019 is issued, they must then schedule and attend an appointment at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy to apply for their U.S. visa**. It is important to consider embassy wait times and the time needed to travel to the United States as you plan your application timeframe and arrival date. Please find your city’s U.S. Embassy or Consulate for the visa appointment and processing wait times.
In light of this multi-step process, we generally advise beginning the application process at least 2-3 months in advance of the training start date.
* An application is considered complete once both the participant and host applications are submitted, along with all required relevant documents.
** Canadian citizens are exempt from the visa interviews. Canadians may use the DS-2019 for travel across the U.S. border.
Individual Exchange Visitors
Please submit an online individual application. Be prepared to submit official documentation which substantiates your education and employment qualifications.
Host Companies + Organizations
Please submit your Host Company using your customized login information through our online portal. If you do not yet have a login, contact us contact us so that we can provide you with access.
New host companies and organizations may submit an application request here. We will review your request and send you instructions on how to complete your application online within two business days.
Individual Exchange Visitors
We will evaluate your complete application and issue a sponsorship decision within approximately four weeks. During this step, we may reach out with additional questions, request you complete an orientation, and/or schedule a host company/organization site visit as necessary.
If sponsorship is approved, we will send the applicant and the supervisor an official training plan (DS-7002) for review and signing.
The applicant and the supervisor must review, sign, and submit the DS-7002 Training Plan.
Cultural Vistas issues the DS-2019 within two business days of receiving the signed training plan. It is then emailed to the applicant, via encrypted email, along with other important arrival documents and instructions on how to apply for the J-1 Visa in their home country.
Applicants* must complete a DS-160 to schedule an appointment at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy. Applicants must take the original DS-2019 to the appointment. Visa approval and issuance is at the discretion of the consular official. Visa appointment and processing wait times vary by city and time of year. On average, this process takes 2-4 weeks. Up-to-date information can be found on the U.S. Department of State website.
* Canadians are exempt from this step. If you are a Canadian citizen, you are ready for U.S. arrival once you receive your DS-2019.
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