Before entering the United States

The U.S. Department of State designated AIPT as a sponsor of the Exchange Visitor Program. With this designation, AIPT is responsible for reviewing the participant and host employer applications to ensure that they meet the criteria established by the U.S. government for this visa. Unlike other visas, AIPT acts as the legal visa sponsor of the participant for the duration of the program in the United States. AIPT has designations for six different J-1 visa categories and is able to sponsor individuals who are pursuing training in most career fields.

This Training/Internship Placement Form is issued prior to the approval of a J-1 visa training program and must be signed by the exchange visitor, the training supervisor at the U.S. host employer and finally the sponsor (AIPT). The form briefly outlines the expectations and content of the training program, including goals to be achieved, skills the exchange visitor will gain, justification for on-the-job training, chronology of activities and how the exchange visitor will be supervised during the training program. The U.S. Consulate or Embassy where the exchange visitor has his/her visa interview will use the DS7002 to ensure the proposed training program is valid.

*This form is not issued for AIPT Summer Work & Travel participants.

The Certificate of Eligibility 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 DS2109 is issued upon approval of a proposed training program. It is the form that entitles and authorizes the exchange visitor to participate in on-the-job training in the United States, and to receive 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. The exchange visitor may only train and collect wages from the U.S. host employer listed on the DS2019.

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. AIPT pays the fee on behalf of the exchange visitor and issues a copy of the receipt. The original receipt will be mailed directly to the participant in his/her home country a few weeks later.

AIPT has global partners in over 80 countries and every day looks for new partnerships.

AIPT's partner organizations provide 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, assistance with tax status while abroad, and assistance with the U.S. consular office in the exchange visitor's home country. Many of the partner organizations provide services that allow the applicant to remain in compliance with J1 visa regulations, such as performing interviews and testing participants' English language ability.

The J-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa which means that applicants must show ties to his/her home country. If an applicant is currently in the United States, AIPT requires him/her to return to his/her home country. During this time, the applicant should either work or attend classes related to the proposed training. It should be noted that AIPT will not issue any documents to someone who is in the United States. He/she must leave the country to apply for a J-1 visa.

Dependents defined
An exchange visitor participating on a J-1 visa program is permitted to bring legal dependents with him/her to the United States. The U.S. Department of State defines a dependent as a spouse or children of the exchange visitor. Common law marriages are not recognized and are not eligible for J-2 dependent visas. Furthermore, children who are older than 21 years of age are not considered dependents.

Dependent work authorization
Upon arriving the United States, a dependent spouse who has a valid J-2 visa is permitted to apply for work authorization through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). Dependents on a J-2 visa are eligible to apply for the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) under the provisions of Category 274a.12(c). When applying for work authorization, it is important to show that the J-2 dependent does not need to work to financially support the J-1 visa participant. Please note that the time for USCIS to process an application for work authorization varies considerably depending on the region of the United States in which the application is processed. J-2 dependent spouses should expect at least a 60-day wait for employment authorization. Such an application is usually made on I-765 form along with the appropriate application fee and a statement of family expenses. The most up-to-date information on filing fees and where to file the Form I-765 can be found on the USCIS website. The statement of family expenses may include customary recreational and cultural activities and related travel. The I-94 card of the participant and the I-94 card of the family member applying for work permission should be submitted with the I-765 form. Action taken by USCIS on the application will be noted on the back of the dependent's I-94 card, which will be returned to the applicant. If permission for the employment is granted, it is valid for any kind of employment without limitation as to full-time or part-time. Work permission for a J-2 dependent expires at the same time as the authorized stay noted on the J-1 visa holder's Certificate of Eligibility. Whereas Social Security and federal unemployment taxes are not deducted from the earnings of a J-1 participant, they are deducted from the earnings of J-2 dependents because their services are not performed "to carry out a purpose for which the individual was admitted." Therefore, J-2 dependents are subject to Social Security and federal unemployment taxes, federal income taxes, and, where applicable, state and local income taxes. Please note that AIPT is not involved in the J-2 dependent spouse's application for work authorization.