Exceptional Extensions for J-1 Participants Now Possible

We appreciate the continued efforts of our J-1 participants in the US to remain safe and healthy during exchange programs at this challenging time.

Due to the extreme difficulties that COVID-19 has presented for travel and other aspects of exchanges, the US State Department now offers interns and trainees the possibility to extend their internship or training programs for the time missed on their Training/Internship Placement Plan (T/IPP) to complete their program. This initiative recognizes that events due to COVID-19 related issues interrupted training and internship programs. Please note that this extension is only available for participants whose programs are already at the maximum duration. A regular extension process is still available for participants whose programs are not at the maximum duration.

To be eligible for the extension beyond the maximum duration, interns and trainees must be compliant with all Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) regulations and sponsor policies. Additionally, the following conditions must be met:

• The current program duration is already 12 (intern) or 18 months (trainee)
• The current program is affected by the COVID-19 situation either interrupted or working from home
• The participants will resume the program with the initial Host Company
• The Host Company ensures that there are no American interns or trainees available to fill the positions in question and agrees to continue the internship or training programs for the time missed

If current participants are interested in an extension beyond the maximum duration, please do inform us at visa@gaccca.org before the initial program end date but no later than July 24th 2020. In this case, we will contact the Host Company to ensure that the intended extension is in compliant with all Exchange Visitor Program regulations and sponsor policies. If so, we will submit an extension justification with the US Department of State. All three parties should sign new T/IPPs that reflect extended dates and, if appropriate, changes in phases. Once the extension has been approved by the DoS we will issue a new DS-2019 form.

Please keep in mind that additional fees for this extension include GACCCA DS-2019 reissuing fee, Department of State Extension fee and insurance fees (GACCCA DS-2019 reissuing fee: USD 250, Department of State Extension fee: USD 367, insurance fees)

We are continuing to closely monitor the COVID-19 situation and its effect on exchange visitors. We thank our J-1 participants for understanding as we navigate through these unprecedented times together. We ask our current J-1 participants to please reach out if there are any questions or concerns regarding this extension or the cultural exchange program in general.