1) Why do I need a visa sponsor?

Only U.S. Department of State-designated sponsors are authorized to issue and send to you the Certificate of Eligibility (DS 2019). You need this form in order to obtain the J-1 Trainee Visa, which allows you to be an trainee in the USA.

Sponsors help ensure that your prospective host company's training program matches your education and experience and complies with U.S. Department of State regulations. Sponsors also check whether you are qualified for training on the J-1 Visa, monitor your training, and provide you with important orientation materials as well as contracts between you, your host company, and the sponsor.

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

The total time required to process your J-1 sponsorship application depends first of all on what option you have chosen, Self arranged or Full placement. For Self arranged the procedure will take not less than 8 weeks and for the Full placement not less than 24 weeks.

When you have a secured sponsorship, you need to apply for the J-1 Visa at a U.S. consulate or embassy in your home country. This process may take anywhere from one day to four or more weeks.
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3) What is "SEVIS?"

On February 15, 2003, the Department of State introduced the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) in an effort to improve the tracking of J and F Visa holders during their stay in the U.S. When the sponsor approves you, you will be issued a DS-2019 Form by registering you in SEVIS.

When you submit your J Visa application to a U.S. consulate or embassy, the consular officer handling your application will have access to the data entered into SEVIS.

Whenever there is a change in your U.S. contact information or in your program or visa status, the sponsor updates your SEVIS record. If you are terminated from the J Program, your SEVIS record will reflect this and have a negative impact on future visa applications.

To maintain your visa status and SEVIS record, it is very important that you inform the sponsor of any changes to your original program as well as your and your supervisor’s U.S. contact information.
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6) What are the application requirements?

To be eligible for Sponsorship on the J-1 Trainee Visa, you need to:

1. Have at least two years of education, training, or work experience in a field directly related to the proposed training.
2. Know English well enough to perform successfully in the proposed training position.
3. Plan to leave the U.S. within 30 days after the completion of your training.
4. Have not held the J-1 Visa in the Trainee category before. If previous J-1 Visas were in other categories (e.g. the Secondary School Student or Summer Work/Travel categories) you may apply.

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8) How long can my training last?

Training on the J-1 Visa Program may last between 3 weeks and 18 months.
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9) What should I bring me to the US?

You need to have with you a passport with a valid US entry visa, original of a DS 2019, SEVIS receipt.
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10) What should I do when I arrive at the host company in the US?

You and the contact person in the host company should call your sponsor to confirm your arrival in the US.
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11) Can I bring my wife, husband and/or children?

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

You and your dependants must bring sufficient funds to cover all living expenses in the U.S., pay for round-trip air travel, and purchase adequate health insurance, both for yourself and your spouse and/or children. The sponsored dependants on the J-2 Visa are not allowed to accept any employment while in the U.S. (unless under exceptional circumstances).

Please note that securing sponsorship for a J-1 or J-2 Visa does not guarantee that you or your dependants will actually be granted the J-1 or J-2 Visa by a U.S. embassy or consulate.
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12) Can I extend my training later?

If your original training lasts less than 18 months and if your host company supports your request for additional training, it may be possible to extend your program up to a maximum of 18 months. You must be currently “in status” on your J-1 Visa and the sponsor must receive all necessary documentation and application forms at least 20 business days prior to the training end date indicated on the training plan and contracts, so you will not be “out of status” while the application is processed.

If your spouse and/or children are with you in the U.S. on the J-2 Visa, they may request an extension of their stay at the time you submit your application. If all extensions are approved, your dependants may remain with you for the period you are allowed to stay in the U.S.

Travel outside the U.S. is restricted during your program extension, unless you obtain a new J-1 Trainee Visa that is valid beyond the dates of your travels. You should contact the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) to check whether your travel plans comply with current laws, regulations, and enforcement.

Please note that there is never a guarantee that the sponsor will accept any application for training extension. If the sponsor denies an application, the denial is final and the sponsor is not required to provide any explanations of the decision.

We strongly suggest you and your prospective U.S. host company make a realistic estimate of how much time will be necessary to complete all aspects of the training program in advance of submitting the initial training proposal to the sponsor.
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13) Can I apply for a second J-1 Trainee Visa?

No. According to the Department of State you may be a J-1 Trainee on the Exchange Visitor Program only once in your life (regardless of the duration of your program).
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14) What should I do if there are problems during my training?

As your J-1 Visa sponsor, the sponsor acts as your advisor and liaison between you and your host company. You are required to notify us immediately if you encounter any problems during your training.
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15) Can I work and/or accept another job outside my training?

No. As a J-1 Trainee you are strictly prohibited from accepting any employment in the U.S outside your training and/or performing any work in the U.S. If you are found to engage in unauthorized employment and/or work, you are in violation of federal regulations, subject to immediate termination from the J-1 Visa Program, and may face deportation and/or other penalties through the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS).
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16) Do I need to have insurance for my training?

All trainees and their dependants on the J Visa must be covered by an insurance plan that satisfies the insurance requirements of the U.S. Department of State for the entire duration of the training program. To satisfy the requirements of the Department of State, your and your dependants' insurance coverage must:

1. Provide, at a minimum, up to 10,000 U.S. dollars in case of medical evacuation.
2. Provide, at a minimum, up to 7,500 U.S. dollars in case of repatriation of remains.
3. Provide, at a minimum, EITHER: up to 50,000 U.S. dollars of regular and customary medical expenses per accident or sickness OR: 75% of regular and customary medical expenses per accident or sickness
4. Have a deductible that does not exceed 500 U.S. dollars per accident or sickness.

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17) How long may I stay in the U.S. after I finish my training?

After you have successfully completed your J-1 training program, you are permitted by the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) to remain in the U.S. for another 30 days. During this 30-day period, which is often referred to as the “Grace Period,” you are no longer in J-1 Visa status and are under the jurisdiction of the BCIS. The BCIS grants this period to allow you to settle your affairs and to prepare your return to your home country. You may neither continue nor complete your training, nor work during this 30-day period. Although you may travel in the United States, we recommended that you do not travel beyond the borders of the U.S. as you may not be permitted re-entry. For your own safety we also suggest you purchase health insurance for this period.
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