User:USWorkVisa/J-2 visa for Interns and Trainees

J-1 Visas for Interns and Trainees
The Department of State, rather than the Citizenship and Immigration Service (“USCIS”), administers the J-1 visa program. In order to obtain a J-1 visa for an employee, a company must either become designated by the Department of State as a J-1 visa program sponsor or initiate an application as a host company through an approved sponsor organization. The first step is to find an appropriate sponsoring organization. There are numerous organizations that are authorized by the Department of State to act as sponsors of J-1 training and intern programs. These organizations review and approve the application and training program of a host company and issue a Form DS-2019, which is a Certificate of Eligibility for J-1 training. Each sponsor has different requirements, filing fees and procedures, but all sponsor applications require that the host company submit a detailed training program. The training program must spell out the details and chronology of the training which will be accomplished. Third party sponsors generally take about 1-2 months (times subject to change) to review and approve J-1 applications and training programs. Once the application is approved, the sponsoring organization sends a Form DS-2019 to the Trainee or Intern abroad, who then submits the Form DS-2019 to the U.S. Consulate in his or her home country and obtains the J-1 Visa. Processing times are generally from days to weeks, depending on the U.S. Consular post where the visa application is made. Canadians are visa exempt and are thus not required to obtain the visa at a U.S. Consulate. These visa exempt individuals merely submit Form DS-2019 and proof of nonimmigrant intent to the CBP officer at the time of admission to the United States. The U.S. Department of State regulations effective July 19, 2007 established a new J-1 Intern category and revised significantly the regulations governing the J-1 Trainee program. The Trainee and Intern programs are designed to allow students and professionals to come to the United States to gain exposure to U.S. culture and receive training in U.S. business practices in their chosen field. Upon completion of their programs, participants are expected to return to their home countries where they will be able to utilize their newly learned skills and knowledge to advance their careers, and to share their experience with their peers and others.