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Prospective Trainee FAQs

  1. What occupational categories can the American Immigration Council sponsor for trainees?

    The American Immigration Council's International Exchange Center is designated by the U.S. Department of State to sponsor J-1 intern programs in the following occupational areas:



    • Arts and Culture

    • Information Media and Communications

    • Management, Business, Commerce and Finance

    • Public Administration and Law

    • The Sciences, Engineering, Architecture, Mathematics and Industrial Occupations

    • Tourism

    • Social Sciences, Library Science, and Social Services
  2. How long can the training program be?

    Trainee programs have a maximum duration of 18 months.

  3. What are the fees?

    Total fees can vary based on the type of application service requested and the specifics of the case.  An up-to-date breakdown of fees can always be found on our fees page.  Fees include the following services:

    • Screening & processing of J-1 training program application
    • Shipping of Certificate of Eligibility (Form DS-2019) to accepted applicants
    • Payment of SEVIS fee to the US Government
    • Identification of Sickness & Accident Insurance meeting U.S. government requirements for J-1 visa holders
    • Participant and host user handbooks
    • Orientation materials
    • Consulting on the J-1 visa process
    • Newsletters
    • Program monitoring
    • On-going support to J-1 trainees and host companies
    • Certificate of Completion
    • Government reporting and compliance with SEVIS
  4. What is the refund policy?

    Applicants are eligible for a partial refund of program fees in the case of host company or foreign national withdrawal prior to the issuance of form DS-2019 and/or prior to Consular processing.  The International Exchange Center is unable to provide refunds due to rejection at the US Consulate.  SEVIS and expedite fees are nonrefundable.

  5. How fast is the expedite service vs. standard processing?

    Applications submitted for expedited service will be reviewed within five business days or fewer; a decision will be reached on the case within this timeframe and intern applicants will be contacted for an interview to be completed shortly thereafter.  Applications filed for standard processing will be reviewed within approximately ten business days or fewer.

  6. How will webcam interviews affect processing times?

    The International Exchange Center at the American Immigration Council conducts a video interview with each intern applicant prior to approving internship proposals for sponsorship.  Intern applicants whose applications have been filed under our expedited service can expect to hear from a case manager regarding the interview no more than five business days after the application has been received; applicants whose applications were filed under our standard processing should expect to be contacted within approximately ten business days.  It is up to individual intern applicants to respond with their availability in a timely manner.

  7. Can the American Immigration Council sponsor an international trainee who was previously taken part in another J-1 training program or other J-1 progam?

    Yes.  Trainees will need to wait at least two years between successive J-1 trainings. 

  8. Can the American Immigration Council sponsor a J-1 trainee applicant who has recently completed F-1 practical training?

    Education and work experience gained within the United States may not be used to qualify for J-1 Intern or Trainee programs.

  9. What are the minimum qualifications for an international trainee?

    Potential J-1 interns must be able to document and/or demonstrate the following in order to meet basic eligibility requirements:

    • Sufficient English language fluency (to be determined by IEC staff)
    • A post-secondary degree or professional certificate from an academic institution outside of the United States in combination with at least one year of related full-time work experience completed outside of the United States

           OR

    • At least five years of related full-time work experience completed outside of the United States.  Experience must be in the same field as the proposed training.

    Potential trainees should keep in mind that proposed training should not duplicate prior work experience, and should be prepared to demonstrate both an intent to leave the United State upon program completion and an intent to how utilize the J-1 training in the home country.

  10. Is there a minimum age or age limit?

    No.  Trainees need to possess a post-secondary degree or have at least five years of work experience, so a de facto minimum age is determined by these factors.   There is no maximum age for program participation; however, the J-1 visa is granted with the assumption that trainees will return to their home countries and implement the newly acquired skills and knowledge.  For this reason, potential trainees approaching the age of retirement are unlikely to be granted a J-1 visa.