J-1 Visa : Trainee

Under the J-1 visa trainee category, international professionals with work experience are permitted to enter the United States for a maximum period of 12 or 18 months, depending on the type of program. During his/her time in the United States, the trainee will participate in a structured training program that directly correlates with his/her experience abroad. Through this training program, the trainee will be exposed to American methodologies, expertise and techniques. The visa is issued by the U.S. Department of State with the understanding that the trainee will return home upon completion of the training program and utilize the newly acquired skills in a professional position in his/her home country. In addition, the trainee is expected to share information he learned about U.S. culture with family, friends and colleagues.

A trainee is an international candidate who:

• possesses a degree or professional certificate from a foreign, post-secondary academic institution outside of the United States and at least one year of professional work experience in his/her occupational field outside of the United States

OR

• has five years of professional work experience outside of the United States directly related to the proposed training program in the United States

AIPT will sponsor programs in a variety of fields, including marketing, business, engineering, etc. However, the U.S. Department of State J-1 visa regulations do exclude some types of training programs including: unskilled positions, flight training, child or elder care, or patient contact. According to the U.S. Department of State , patients do include animals and therefore veterinary programs are not acceptable. Furthermore, training programs cannot include more than 20% clerical or administrative work.

The maximum length for a J-1 visa training program is 18 months. However, if the program is in the hospitality and/or tourism industry, the program will be limited to 12 months.

• Dun & Bradstreet Number: Host employer must provide a valid DUNS number.
• Employer Identification Number (EIN): Host employer must provide a valid EIN.
• Worker's Compensation Policy: Host employer must provide details on a valid worker's compensation policy at time of application submittal. The policy must remain valid throughout the duration of the program, either due to the length of the policy or through a renewal.
• DS7002 (Training/Internship Placement Plan): The DS7002 form is required by the U.S. Department of State and outlines the objectives of the training program and also explains the skills or experience the exchange visitor will acquire during the program. The DS7002 must be signed by the exchange visitor, the supervisor at the training site and the visa sponsor (AIPT). The signatures do not have to be originals; however, all three signatures must be on the same form.
• Site Visit: Per the U.S. Department of State J-1 visa regulations, AIPT will require a site visit to be conducted at a host employer if ALL of the following are true:
  • The host employer has not hosted a successful program* within the three years prior to submitting the program application AND
  • The host employer has fewer than 25 employees at the program site AND
  • The host employer has an annual revenue of less than $3 million

*The U.S. Department of State defines a successful training program as one in which the participant has submitted required evaluations to sponsoring organization. Programs of 6 months or less only require a final evaluation and programs longer than 6 months require a mid-term and a final.