Learn more about AIPT's background and the J-1 visa. Click on any of the links below:

What is a J-1 visa?
What is the J-1 visa for training?
What is the J-1 visa for internships?
What is on-the-job training?
What is the J-1 visa for summer work travel?
What is AIPT’s role in the J-1 visa process?
What documents will AIPT issue to applicants?
What is the Certificate of Eligibility (DS-2019) document?
Why is it necessary for applicants to register with AIPT’s partner organizations?
Can applicants change status to a J-1 visa?
How can I find out about changes in the regulations or processes that may affect my J-1 visa program?

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What is the J-1 visa for training?
One of the 13 categories of J-1 visa is the "trainee" category. This cultural exchange visa is used to allow foreign students and professionals to train with a U.S.-based host organization for up to 18 months. The J-1 visa is used to encourage both public and private exchanges for the purpose of developing links between cultures and expanding international business skills.

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What is the J-1 visa for internships?
There are 14 categories of the J-1 visa, and intern is one of them. This cultural exchange visa is used to allow foreign students and recent graduates to train with a U.S.-based host organization for up to 12 months. You must be EITHER currently enrolled in and pursuing studies at a degree or certificate granting post-secondary academic institution OR graduated from such an institution no more than 12 months prior to your internship program start date.

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What is on-the-job training?
The labor market in the United States is very different from those of other nations. On-the-job training should not be compared to the “apprenticeship” that is practiced in many nations. Instead, on-the-job training is a less-structured approach to developing job skills and knowledge, one that puts the responsibility of learning on the individual. The focus of on-the-job training is "learning-by-doing." It is important for international participants to understand this difference, because it requires the participant to be an equal partner in the learning process. It might be useful to consider that the host employer provides the "classroom," the training plan, and the tools for learning that put the participant in the position to learn about a specific activity or industry. However, it is left up to the participant to be the proactive learner.

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What is the J-1 visa for summer work/travel?
Another one of the J-1 visa categories is the summer work travel category.  This category enables university-level students who are enrolled full-time in classes and will be returing to class full-time to come to the United States during their summer break to work and travel in the United States for up to four (4) months.

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What is AIPT’s role in the J-1 visa process?
AIPT has been designated as an "Exchange Visitor Program" sponsor by the U.S. Department of State which means that AIPT is responsible for reviewing the participant and host employer applications to ensure that they meet the criteria established by the U.S. Department of State for this visa. Unlike other visas, AIPT acts as the legal visa sponsor of the participant for the duration of the training program in the United States.  The participant is the individual coming to the U.S. on an Exchange Visitor Program and the host employer is where the participant will receive training or work.  AIPT's designation allows it to only sponsor individuals who are pursuing training in certain career fields.

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What documents will AIPT issue to applicants?
Upon approved of the participant and host employer applications, AIPT is authorized by the U.S. Department of State to issue the Certificate of Eligibility (DS-2019) form to international exchange visitors who are approved by AIPT to participate in one of its programs.

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What is the Certificate of Eligibility (DS-2019) document?
This is a legal document which is issued by AIPT as a designated sponsor of the J-1 visa under the authority of the U.S. Department of State. The Certificate of Eligibility is the document that entitles and authorizes the exchange visitor participant to be at a workplace in the United States for on-the-job practical training, and to receive training wages for such activity. The Certificate of Eligibility is null and void if the exchange visitor does not obtain a J-1 visa from a U.S. Embassy or Consulate for entry to the United States and authorized non-immigrant status while in the United States. The application for the J-1 visa itself can only be made once the Certificate of Eligibility has been issued, and application must be made through a U.S. Embassy or Consulate overseas (preferably in the applicant’s home country).

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Why is it necessary for applicants to register with AIPT’s partner organizations?
Our partner organizations provide our international applicants with additional services. These services include: assistance with the J-1 visa process, in-country representation of AIPT to verify student status of applicants and confirm student credentials and identity. These partners also provide us with work permits and assistance for our American participants, as part of our reciprocal exchanges. Therefore, it is important for international applicants to register with these counterparts when appropriate.

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Can applicants change status to a J-1 visa?
The J-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa which means that applicants must show ties to the home country.  If an applicant is in the U.S., AIPT requires applicants to return to the home country for at least ninety (90) days for every year or partial year that he/she has been in the U.S. During this time, the applicant should either work or attend classes related to the proposed training.  Upon prior  approval, AIPT may make exceptions for those on B-1/B-2 visas and dependents of other visas but AIPT is unable to make up any time lost during application for change of status.

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How can I find out about changes in the regulations or processes that may affect my J-1 visa program?
AIPT is constantly monitoring changes in the regulations that govern the J-1 visa, and communicates these changes through its Web site at www.aipt.org.