The J-1 Visa falls under Department of State's Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 also know as the Fulbright-Hays Act. This visa category covers a wide range of educational and cultural exchange programs. The Summer Work & Travel and Intern and Trainee programs allow foreign students or recent graduates to come to the United States to participate in various programs offered to exchange visitors businesses, educational institutions, and organizations. Participants can avail of short term Work and Study (4 months), and Trainee (12 months) programs.
The Work & Travel Program is regulated by the US Department of State. The objective of the program is to promote cultural exchange between foreign undergraduate students and Americans. It is a great chance for these individuals to come to the US, get to know the American culture and make some money to support their expenses while living in the US. For the American companies, it is an opportunity to have well-qualified seasonal employees and to diversify their work environment. It is not necessary for your company to sponsor any participant or get involved with the visa process. IWEG will assist all participants with visa documentation and Consulate appointments. IWEG will provide the participants with a DS-2019, after the participant has accepted your job offer. The DS 2019 is an official document and states the dates of the program and certifies that the participant is properly enrolled in the Work & Travel Program.
The Career Training Program is an opportunity for foreign students and young professionals to come to the US and work as an Intern or Trainee in their field of studies. The participants are admitted into the US under a J-1 visa. This visa allows them to train in any company in the US for up to 12 months. By the end of the work component of the Program, the participants have the opportunity to stay in the US for up to 30 days in order to travel and make their final arrangements to go back home. They are not allowed to work during this travel period.
The Career Training Program is regulated by the Department of State. The objective of the Program is to promote cultural exchange between foreign undergraduate students or young professionals and Americans. For the American companies, it is an opportunity to have well-qualified, motivated employees in their field and to diversify their work environment. It is not necessary for your company to sponsor any participant or get involved with the visa process.
The visa approval is a decision made exclusively by the local American Consulate in the students'/applicants' country of origin. During the whole process, an IWEG representative will keep you updated about the visa arrangements for your candidates. In the event that one or more of your candidates has a visa denied, IWEG staff will proceed with a replacement depending on the Candidates availability and upon your approval.
Visitors with J-1 visas cannot extend their stay; they cannot change their visa type, or reapply from within the US. J Visa holders are entitled to up to 30 days of travel within the US upon the completion of their practical training, internship, or work component of their stay.
