Exchange Visitor Visa
for Training Programs in the United States

Internship programs are designed to allow foreign college and university students or recent graduates to come to the United States to gain exposure to U.S. culture and to receive hands-on experience in U.S. business practices in their chosen occupational field.

This category applies to foreign nationals:

• Who are currently enrolled in and pursuing studies at a foreign degree-or certificate-granting post-secondary academic institution as a full-time student; must have completed at least the second semester of studies,
  or
• Who have graduated from such an institution no more than 12 months prior to their internship start date.

All applicants must have a good command of the English language.

The internship must also have a clear relation to the applicant’s academic education and must be highly relevant to the future career development of the applicant.

Training programs are designed to allow foreign professionals to come to the United States to gain exposure to U.S. culture and to receive training in U.S. business practices in their chosen occupational field.

This category applies to foreign nationals:

• Who have a degree or professional certificate from a foreign post-secondary academic institution and at least one year of related work experience in the applicant’s occupational field outside the United States,
  or
• Who have (if no degree) five years of work experience outside the United States in the occupational field in which applicant seeks training.

All applicants must have a good command of the English language.

The traineeship must have a clear relation to the applicant’s academic and professional background and must be highly relevant to the future career development of the applicant.

• To determine eligibility, the Chamber needs to receive the application form and agreement from the host company.
• The J-1 Visa Program will consider the number of employees, incorporation date, company history, current business activities, and company financials in determining whether the host organization meets the minimum requirements to host a J-1 Exchange Visitor.
• The host must be an established business in operation for at least one year and provide their Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN).
• The host must not use the intern/trainee program for ordinary employment or staffing and must not displace American workers with interns/trainees.
• The host company must have at least three full-time employees.