Can I bring my wife, husband and/or children?

Your spouse and/or children may apply for the J-2 Visa to accompany you to the U.S. or join you later. Each dependent (spouse and/or unmarried child who is under the age of 21) wishing to enter the U.S. together with you should apply to your sponsor for J-2 Visa sponsorship at the same time you are submitting your application for the J-1 Visa. If a dependent wishes to join you in the U.S. later, they may apply separately to the sponsor.

You and your dependents need to possess sufficient personal funds to cover all living expenses while in the U.S., pay for round-trip air travel, and purchase adequate health insurance, both for yourself, your spouse and children. J-2 Visa dependents are not allowed to accept any employment while in the U.S. (unless under exceptional circumstances). Please note that applying for a J-1 or J-2 Visa at a US embassy or consulate does not guarantee that you or your dependents will actually be granted the J-1 or J-2 Visa.

Do I need health insurance during my internship?

Yes. It is required. All trainees and their dependents on the J Visa must be covered by a qualified health insurance plan that complies with the insurance coverage requirements of the U.S. Department of State for the entire duration of the training program. Before the sponsor can approve sponsorship, you and your dependents must show evidence of such compliant coverage, or purchase insurance through the sponsor.

To satisfy insurance requirements, your and your dependents’ insurance coverage must insure for at least:

1. 50,000 U.S. dollars in case of medical evacuation.
2. 25,000 U.S. dollars in case of repatriation of remains.
3. 100,000 U.S. dollars of regular and customary medical expenses per accident or sickness
4. A deductible amount that does not exceed 500 U.S. dollars per accident or sickness.

Can I buy insurance through the sponsor?

Yes. If you need general health and accident insurance coverage, you can purchase the sponsor provided health insurance plan. This plan generally insures for:

• Up to 100,000 U.S. dollars of regular and customary medical expenses per accident or sickness
• Up to 50,000 U.S. dollars in case of medical evacuation
• Up to 25,000 U.S. dollars in case of repatriation of remains
• A deductible of 100 U.S. dollars per accident or sickness and 250 U.S. dollars per Emergency Room Visit

The sponsor recommends that you purchase health insurance for the period you spend in the U.S. before your J-1 training begins as well as for the “Grace period” (the 30-day time period which you may spend in the U.S. after you have completed your J-1 training program. Please contact the sponsor directly about insurance coverage for dependents.

Do I apply as an Intern or a Trainee?

Apply as an Intern if you are foreign national who (1) is currently enrolled in and pursuing studies at a degree- or certificate-granting post-secondary academic institution outside of the United States or (2) graduated from such an institution no more than twelve (12) months prior to the program begin date, and intend to enter the United States to participate in a structured and guided work-based internship program in your specific academic field.
MAXIMUM INTERNSHIP PROGRAM DURATION: 12 MONTHS

Apply as a Trainee if you are a foreign national who has either: (1) A degree or professional certificate from a foreign post-secondary academic institution and at least one year of prior related work experience in your occupational field acquired outside the United States, or (2) Five years of work experience outside the United States in your occupational field, and intend to enter the United States to participate in a structured and guided work-based training program in your specific occupational field.

MAXIMUM TRAINEE PROGRAM DURATION: 18 MONTHS

Why do I need a Visa Sponsor and the DS-2019 form?

Only U.S. Department of State-designated J-1 visa sponsors are authorized to issue and send you the DS-2019 Form, also called Certificate of Eligibility. You need the DS-2019 form to apply for the J-1 visa, which allows you to be a trainee/intern in the USA.

J-1 Visa Sponsors help ensure that your internship:

1. Matches your education and experience
2. Contributes to your acquisition of skills, knowledge, and culture
3. Qualifies for sponsorship under the J-1 visa
4. Proceeds according to U.S. Department of State regulations and program rules
5. Occurs at an appropriate and vetted host company
6. Is regularly monitored and appropriately supervised
7. Has all contracts in place between you, your host organization, and the sponsor.

Sponsors also provide you with important guidance, problem solving, and orientation materials.

How long does it take to get the J-1 Visa?

The total time required to process your J-1 sponsorship application depends on how quickly you and your host company provide the sponsor with all necessary materials and information – as well as how busy the Visa Section is in your local US Embassy or Consulate.

Once you receive the necessary documents from the sponsor you will need to apply for the J-1 Visa in-person at a U.S. consulate or embassy in your home country. This process may take anywhere from one day (if you can apply in person) to four or more weeks, depending on the specific consulate or embassy where you apply.

We recommend you submit to your application for J-1 sponsorship well in advance of the desired start date of your training to avoid possible delays.
Only a US consulate or embassy can grant your J-1 visa for your internship or trainee program. J-1 sponsors cannot guarantee that a US consulate or embassy will grant any particular applicant the J-1 Visa.

What is SEVIS?

SEVIS means: “Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.” This system tracks participants in the J-1 (as well as other) Visa categories during their stay in the U.S. As part of the sponsorship process, and to issue to you the DS-2019 Form, the sponsor registers you in SEVIS.

When you submit your J-1 Visa application including your DS-2019 and DS-7002 to a U.S. consulate or embassy, the visa officer will access the data that the sponsor entered into SEVIS for you.

What if I move or change my contact information in the US?

Whenever there is a change in your U.S. contact information or in your program or visa status you are required to immediately contact your sponsor to update your SEVIS record. Failure to do so could result in a significantly early end to you program. If your J-1 Visa Program is terminated, your SEVIS record will reflect this and may have a negative impact on future visa applications.

To maintain your visa status and positive SEVIS record, it is very important that you inform CICD in advance of any potential changes to your original program or to your or your host company’s U.S. contact information.

What does my Host Organization need to do?

1. Offer to you a qualified internship for up to twelve (12) months or training for up to eighteen (18) months in one of the following subject fields: Information, Media, Communications, Management, Business, Commerce, Finance, the Sciences, Engineering, Architecture, Industrial Occupations.
2. Provide you with a structured training/internship program which is explicitly described in the DS-7002 Form or TIPP For that to happen, the proposed plan must match your qualifications and background. The sponsor helps you and your host company with this process. (You are required to submit the TIPP DS-7002 to the US consulate or embassy with your DS-2019 form at the time of your in-person visa appointment.)
3. Provide you with a structured training/internship program which is explicitly described in the DS-7002 Form or TIPP For that to happen, the proposed plan must match your qualifications and background. The sponsor helps you and your host company with this process. (You are required to submit the TIPP DS-7002 to the US consulate or embassy with your DS-2019 form at the time of your in-person visa appointment.)

Do I really need to apply for the J-1 Visa in my home country?

Normally, yes. You can apply for the J-1 Visa only at a U.S. consulate or embassy outside the U.S. If you have secured documents for the sponsorship for the J-1 Visa but are unable or unwilling to apply for your visa in your home country, you may be able to do so in another (third) country. For example, if you are already in the U.S., you might consider applying for the J-1 Visa at a U.S. consulate in Canada. However, visa applications in third countries are discouraged since your chances of obtaining the J-1 Visa may be diminished there . Consular policy on such applications may change with little or no advance notification, so be sure to confirm the State Department’s policy in advance of applying this way. You should make every effort to apply in your home country for your visa.

How long does my internship or training last?

Internships on the J-1 Visa Program may last up to 12 months. Training may last up to 18 months.

What is the refund if I do not get my J-1 Visa?

If you have appropriately applied for the program and not previously violated U.S. visa regulations and your J-1 Visa application is denied by the U.S. embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over your place of permanent residence, you may be eligible for a partial refund (of your payment of the total application fee) after the sponsor has received back from you the DS-2019 Form that we issued to you.