A Guide to J-1 Visa Program Information for Host Companies 

U.S employers can host international professionals to leverage and develop foreign talent and participate in cultural exchange through the J-1 visa program. Obtaining a J-1 visa requires collaboration between the participant, your company, and a J-1 visa sponsor like AIFS Professional Pathways. AIFS Professional Pathways makes the process of learning about and obtaining a J-1 cultural exchange visa as simple as possible.  

As a prospective host company, you may have some questions about the J-1 visa program and application process. Read on to learn more about the J-1 visa program and your company’s responsibilities as a host employer.  

What is the J-1 Visa? 

The J-1 visa allows foreign nationals to live and work in the United States for cultural exchange purposes. This visa is administered by the U.S. Department of State under their BridgeUSA Program. Known as an “Exchange Visitor Visa,” the J-1 visa program lets individuals from around the world come to the U.S. temporarily to learn, gain skills, and engage with American culture and institutions.  

The goal of the J-1 visa program is to advance people-to-people diplomacy—increasing mutual understanding to drive collaboration, innovation, and security. After completing the program, participants are expected to leave the U.S. and share their experience. 

AIFS sponsors four of the 14 J-1 visa categories: Au Pair, Camp Counselor, Intern, and Trainee. AIFS Professional Pathways, a division of AIFS, focuses on Intern and Trainee J-1 visa programs.  

Note: The J-1 Intern and Trainee programs cannot be used to fill an employee gap, to provide manual or highly clerical business needs, or as a means for cheap foreign labor. 

Who is the Visa “Sponsor” & What are Their Responsibilities? 

AIFS Professional Pathways is your visa sponsor. J-1 visa sponsors are private and public organizations designated by the U.S. Department of State.  

Responsibilities of J-1 sponsors include: 

• Evaluating and vetting participants, host companies, and proposed training programs to ensure compliance with U.S. federal regulation. 
• Issuing federal visa sponsorship documents. 
• Providing participants with program orientation. 
• Monitoring participants and programs to ensure continued compliance and well-being. 
• Administering program evaluations. 
• Maintaining the participant’s Department of Homeland Security SEVIS records. 
• Reporting emergencies to the Department of State. 

We offer a comprehensive list of additional intern and trainee J-1 visa services focused on meeting the needs of host companies, while also supporting the needs of international interns and trainees. 

Who is the “Host Company” & What are Their Responsibilities? 

The “Host Company” (or “Host”) is the organization you represent—the legal U.S. employer of the international participant. As host, your company provides the exchange visitor with meaningful, hands-on professional activities and training, a supervisor, and a performance evaluation, in addition to the following responsibilities: 

• Staying knowledgeable about the J-1 visa program. 
• Following the activities outlined and agreed upon in the DS-7002 federal training plan document. 
• Exposing participants to U.S. culture in and outside the workplace. 
• Reporting to the sponsor in cases of emergencies, conflicts, or program changes. 

Who is the “Participant,” or “Exchange Visitor,” & What are Their Responsibilities? 

The “Exchange Visitor” is the foreign national participating in the J-1 program. Intern and trainee participants are expected to train full-time at a U.S. company, follow company policies and the DS-7002 federal training plan. They should also build on their existing skills and immerse themselves in American culture. 

Other responsibilities of the participant include: 

• Maintaining their federal records. 
• Completing mandatory program evaluations. 
• Reporting emergencies and changes that affect their training program to their visa sponsor. 
• Entering and exiting the U.S. in accordance with their visa restrictions. 

What are the Differences Between the Intern and Trainee Visa Categories? 

Intern and trainee visas are two categories within the J-1 visa umbrella. A participant’s eligibility as an intern or trainee depends on the following: 

• The participant’s academic or professional experience in their home country. 
• The participant’s English proficiency.
• The amount of training required to carry out their professional duties successfully in the U.S. 

Intern Category

Interns are individuals currently enrolled in, or have recently graduated from, a post-secondary, ministerially recognized, academic institution outside of the U.S. (at the undergraduate or graduate level). 

Interns can participate in full-time, U.S. positions ranging from 3 weeks up to 12 months in duration. 

Trainee Category

Trainees encompass a wider range of professionals from young or mid-level to advanced professionals. They must have: 

• A degree from a post-secondary academic institution outside of the U.S. and at least one year of full-time work experience outside the U.S. in a related field,  
• OR Five or more years of relevant full-time work experience outside the U.S. 

In most industries, Trainees can participate in full-time, U.S. positions from 3 weeks up to 18 months. (Programs in hospitality and agriculture have a 12-month maximum.)  

What is Form DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility? 

Form DS-2019, or the “Certificate of Eligibility,” is a Department of State document issued by your visa sponsor (AIFS Professional Pathways). This document provides official proof of visa sponsorship and allows foreign nationals to apply for the J-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate. (Canadian citizens are exempt from the visa appointment and may simply travel to the U.S. with only the DS-2019.) Form DS-2019 provides work authorization to the international participants to legally participate in on-site training in the U.S. and receive wages.  

DS-2019 includes personal identifying information about the participant, in addition to: 

• Name of sponsor 
• U.S. host company 
• Training location 
• Training industry 
• U.S. compensation data 
• Dates the participant can legally train in the U.S. 

What is Form DS-7002 Official Training Plan? 

Form DS-7002 Training/Internship Placement Plan (T/IPP) is a federal form that outlines the official information about the Training or Internship plan. Information on this form must remain active and all activities outlined in the document need to be followed for the duration of the program. Therefore, it’s important that both the supervisor and participant are familiar with the document. If any information requires updating, the visa sponsor (AIFS Professional Pathways) should be notified in advance. 

The information outlined in the T/IPP includes: 

• Information about the host company 
• U.S. training program objective and activities 
• Participant’s assigned supervisor 
• Hours and compensation rates 
• Tools for evaluating participant’s performance and their intentional exposure to American culture 
• Position and phase dates 

AIFS Professional Pathways: Your J-1 Visa Program Partner 

Navigating the J-1 visa process can be a challenge but AIFS Professional Pathways makes it easy. We’re there to help you and your company every step of the way—learning about the J-1 visa program information, determining J-1 visa eligibility, fulfilling J-1 visa requirements, supporting you throughout the duration of the J-1 visa program, and much more.  

Interested in learning more about welcoming international talent? 

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