With the J-1 visa, graduates and professionals can complete a cultural exchange in the USA for up to 18 months by participating in a trainee-internship. However, before you can enhance your career through a traineeship in the U.S., every worldwide participant must have a sponsor and join a program.
We, the GACC California, are an official sponsor by the U.S. Department of State in the category J-1 intern and trainee and thus function as an extension of the U.S. Embassy. Our task is not only to issue the DS-2019 form but also to ensure that the agreed training objectives are achieved with the host company in compliance with official American regulations. Consequently, applicants and guest companies must undergo an examination and revision process. Participants can only apply for a J-1 visa at the U.S. embassy after receiving the DS-2019 form. As your sponsor, we will guide you through the whole process – before, during and after your internship, and remain your primary contact through the duration of your internship.
In accordance with the U.S. Department of State regulations, we require all of our program participants to have appropriate travel health insurance coverage throughout their entire stay in the U.S. Therefore, a suitable travel health insurance plan is a part of our program and must be purchased through us.
The entire application and support process takes place online, by email and via Hangout. Register on our website where you can find other information about the program in your account.
J-1 VISA TRAINEE PROGRAM
J-1 TRAINEE PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS
Graduates and Professionals (Trainee Category)
- You have completed a degree and have at least one year of relevant work experience outside the U.S. OR
- Have at least five years of full time work experience in your field outside the U.S.
- You have a training place that is directly related to your previous professional career experiences. Also, the content of your training may not be identical to a previous professional experience. Take a look at our internship placement service if you need additional help finding an appropriate training and host company.
- You have proficient English language skills.
- You must earn at least minimum wage of the respective city or higher.
- The duration of your internship is 18 months (exception: tourism, hotel industry, gastronomy – 12 months.)
- You must schedule a processing time of at least 8 weeks
Requirements for U.S. Host Companies
- At least 3 permanent employees per J-1 applicant (except internships with lawyers)
- Preparation and compliance of a training plan for your internship (DS-7002)
- Enter the company’s tax number (EIN)
- Submission of a copy of the Worker’s Compensation Policy (occupational accident insurance). This must also cover trainees.
- Guest company can not be a home office.
- With less than 25 employees AND less than $ 3 million annual turnover, a company visit (On-Site Visit) must be completed by us.
Training placement in the U.S.
For those who have yet to secure a training with a suitable company in the USA, we offer our individual placement program. You can specify your career goals and interests here, for example, location and field of expertise. The processing time to find a placement and visa preparations is between 3 and 6 months.
Program Description
Even after securing a training, host companies may be reluctant to move forward with hosting candidates due to the tedious paperwork and forms required. Approximately 70% of applicants experience delays or problems with the DS-7002. Therefore, we offer the service of completing the DS-7002 (training plan). With our expertise, filling out the forms and providing the accurate detailed information relieves a huge burden on the host company and increases your chances of successfully completing the all the prerequisites and moving forward with your training. That’s exactly why we offer you our service to avoid problems with the completion process and your potential host company from the beginning.
Our long-standing experience in DS-2019 processing ensures adequate collaboration with your host company which consequently leads to the execution of a satisfactory training plan (DS-7002). In most cases, host companies are grateful to have our help and expertise throughout the DS-7002 completion process. You will be informed of the progress of your application during each step of the process and we are happy to provide any further assistance you may need. The costs of the J-1 visa program depend on the duration of the internship.
Our Program Includes:
- Personal support by the GACC California in Germany and the USA
- Direct collaboration and constant contact with the host company
- Check for completeness / request for missing documents to ensure these are filled out properly
- Comprehensive support when completing all documents, providing sample copies if necessary
- Ongoing support to your host company in the preparation of the official training plan
- Guidance to your host company on topics such as workers’ compensation, taxes, etc. in order to fully comply with all U.S. regulations.
- International Health Insurance
- Filling the DS-2019 form
- Participant Handbook
- Preparation for your meeting at the U.S. Embassy (reviewing all additional forms)
- Participation in regularly organized cultural activities in different cities, photo-contests, monthly newsletters, access to the alumni network and much more.
Internship sponsorship in the following areas:
- Arts and Culture: Design and Applied Arts, Cinematography and Film/Video Production, Commercial Photography, Commercial and Advertising Art, Arts Management, Design and Visual Communications, Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General, Fashion/Apparel Design, Graphic Design, Illustration, Industrial Design, Interior Design, Music Management and Merchandising, Playwriting and Screenwriting, Printmaking, Sculpture, Theatre/Theatre Arts Management, Visual and Performing Arts, etc.
- Hospitality and Tourism: Hospitality Administration/Management, Hospitality and Recreation Marketing Operations, Hotel/Motel Administration/Management, Tourism Promotion Operations, Tourism and Travel Services Management, Tourism and Travel Services Marketing Operations, etc.
- Public Administration and Law: Public Relations, Public Policy, Business & Labor Law, Criminal Law, Civil Liberties, Human Rights Law, International Law, Environmental Law, etc.
- Information Media and Communications: Advertising, Broadcast Journalism, Communications, Technologies/ Technicians and Support Services, Digital Communication and Media/Multimedia Programming, Mass Communications, Public Relations, Advertising and Applied Communication, Television/Radio/Print Journalism, Printing & Publishing, etc.
- Management, Business, Commerce and Finance: Accounting, Banking and Financial Support Services, Business Administration, Management/ Operations, Business, Marketing, Customer Service Management, E-Commerce/Electronic Commerce, Finance and Financial Management Services, Human Resources Management, International Business/ Trade/Commerce, Logistics and Materials Management, Information Systems, Operations, Sales, Distribution, and Marketing, Transportation/Transportation Management.
- The Sciences, Engineering, Architecture, Mathematics and Industrial Occupations: Molecular Biology, Cell/Cellular Biology and Anatomical Sciences, Developmental Biology and Embryology, Environmental Biology, Toxicology, Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Oncology and Cancer Biology, Wildlife, Zoology/Animal Biology, Civil /Computer /Environmental Engineering, Landscape / Urban Architecture, Mathematical Analysis, Applied Mathematics, Industrial Engineering, Industrial Relations, Computer Engineering Technologies, Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologies, Robotics, Physical Sciences, Chemical Technologies, etc.
Read our FAQ
For detailed answers about the terms & conditions, fees, participant & host company requirements in the U.S., please refer to our FAQ’s.