J-1 Training and Intern Sponsorship
AILF is now designated to sponsor J-1 visas for both international interns and international trainees. Please refer to the eligibility requirements to determine who is an intern and who is a trainee.
The AILF Exchange Visitor Program sponsors the J-1 visa for partnerships between international professionals or interns and U.S companies.
The J-1 visa is an "exchange visitor" visa. This visa allows eligible international professionals or interns to receive training at companies in the United States for a select length of time.
American companies hosting international trainees and interns through AILF's Exchange Visitor Program can improve their worldwide business contacts and expand the company's presence in the international marketplace, while participating in a valuable cross-cultural exchange.
International trainees and interns through the AILF's J-1 Exchange Visitor Program have the opportunity to gain valuable career training, while at the same time learning about life in the United States.
International training provides the opportunity to combine the best ideas from two countries to produce an exciting synergy. J-1 trainees and interns return home with new career skills and a greater appreciation for American people and culture; the U.S. company gains greater knowledge and appreciation for the J-1's business practices, country and culture. Participating in international training is people-to-people diplomacy creating positive ties with other parts of the world.
What's New?
MARK YOUR CALENDARS: AN OUTBOUND EXCHANGE TO POLAND
AILF's Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) is sponsoring an outbound exchange program to Warsaw and Krakow, Poland to study changes in migration to and from Poland over the past century. We plan five days (May 11–15) of educational and cultural exchange activities in Poland's two centers of commerce, education, and history: Warsaw and Krakow. Our invited speakers include experts on immigration law, policy, and history from the European Union in Brussels; Poland's two major universities; the Polish government; the U.S. Embassies; and U.S. and Polish law firms. The trip will take place from Sunday, May 10th through Saturday, May 16th.
INTRODUCING THE INTERN WORK AND TRAVEL PILOT PROGRAM
The Governments of the United States and Ireland signed a Memorandum of Understanding establishing the Intern Work and Travel (IWT) Pilot Program for Irish post-secondary students and recent graduates to participate in internships and travel independently in the US for up to 12 months. The IWT Pilot Program became effective on October 31, 2008.
To see video footage of the signing ceremony, please click here.
NOTICE: SEVIS FEE INCREASE
Please note that effective October 20, 2008 the SEVIS fee for each applicant has been increased from $100 to $180.
NOTICE: HOST SITE VERIFICATION FEE
Federal J-1 program regulations require that host companies with fewer than 25 employees or less than $3 million in annual revenue be visited by an AILF representative prior to approval of the first AILF sponsored J-1 application. Effective Monday, August 11, 2008, the New Host Site Verification Fee covers the administrative expense of vetting small first time host organizations. Please note that companies new to the AILF Exchange Visitor Program are not eligible for the expedite service. Please visit our fees page for a breakdown of all fees.
NOTICE: JULY 2007 REGULATORY CHANGES
Government regulations for exchange visitor trainee and intern programs changed effective July 19, 2007.
Read a summary of the regulatory changes here.
