What is a J-1 Visa Program?

   For Host Employers & Attorneys

• Host employer requirements
• Examples of program uses
• Process, timeframes and fees
• Application requirement details
• Understanding ACIP's J-1 Visa Program

   For Participants

• Requirements & Responsibilities
• International travel

   Forms

• ACIP Application
• ACIP Amendment
• ACIP Extension
• ACIP Replacement
• DS-7002
• ACIP Training and Evaluation Report

   U.S. Government Links

• DOS J-1 Visa Program
• Grace period information
• Exchange program visitor brochure
• US-VISIT program
• What to expect at a port of entry

The J-1 Visa program can be used in many ways to train and educate overseas employees inside the United States. Below are several common business scenarios for utilization of the J-1 Visa program.

Scenario 1: Onboarding of new employees for an overseas facility
“ABC” company was getting ready to launch a new facility in Brazil. ABC went to Brazil to recruit the top brass for the new facility (directors and managers for HR, Engineering, Quality Control, Accounting, etc.) and then brought the selected candidates to the United States for intensive training in the company’s corporate headquarters and within its facilities in the United States. After training in the United States, the new hires were able to return to Brazil to launch the facility and take advantage of the new and thriving market.

Scenario 2: International leadership development programs or management “Fast-Track” programs
Each year “123” company identifies a group of top performers for participation in a rigorous and highly structured training program meant to groom the participants for future leadership positions within the company. The company brings a new group to the United States at the same time every year for one year of training in the company’s various locations around the country.

Scenario 3: Graduate training program
“XYZ” company routinely recruits engineering students for participation in its “Student and Graduate Programs.” The students participate in co-ops and internships with the company during their studies and then are hired full-time as “Graduate Interns” post-graduation for structured training intended to groom them for future leadership positions within the company. The J-1 visa is used to bring these individuals to the United States for rotations within critical business units in the company’s American operations.

Scenario 4: Roll-out of new technologies
”ACME” company acquired a competitor and needed to retool the equipment in the competitor’s facility overseas in order to be compatible with the company’s proprietary technologies and processes. The company used the J-1 visa to bring the facility’s engineering team and machine technicians to the United States for training on the company’s equipment to be installed in the facility abroad. The training facilitated the installation of the new equipment and provided the team with the knowledge necessary to ensure efficient and safe facilities operation.

Scenario 5: Foreign university students completing internships in fulfillment of degree requirements
Many overseas universities require students to complete internships as part of their degree requirements and the J-1 Intern visa is perfect for this purpose. These programs create a win-win situation for both the students and the U.S. host company. The students obtain valuable résumé-building professional experience and course credit. The company has a recruitment tool that allows them to assess the students' suitability for future hire overseas, creating a pipeline of future talent after the students return to their home countries and graduate.