J-1 Exchange Visitor Program – Spain-U.S. Chamber of Commerce

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J-1 Exchange Visitor Program – Spain-U.S. Chamber of Commerce

The SUSCC Offers Its J-1 Exchange Visitor Program

The Spain-U.S. Chamber of Commerce New York (SUSCC) is a non-profit organization, officially authorized and designated by the U.S. Department of State (DoS) to issue the DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility to interns/trainees. With the issuance of the DS-2019, the SUSCC operates as the legal sponsor of the participants during their entire stay in the United States.

The SUSCC offers its J-1 Exchange Visitor Program in the categories of “Intern” and “Trainee.” The J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa is used to bridge formal education and work-based training and is only granted for temporary stays (maximum 12 months for interns and 18 months for trainees).

The SUSCC can assist companies, as well as interns and trainees who have independently secured training programs in the United States and need sponsorship in obtaining the J-1 Visa. The application process requires the participation of both the training entity and the trainee or intern.

General Requirements for All Applicants

Intern Eligibility

Internship programs are designed to allow foreign college and university students or recent graduates to come to the United States to gain exposure to U.S. culture and to receive hands-on experience in U.S. business practices in their chosen occupational field.

This category applies to:

Students who are currently enrolled at a university or an accredited post-secondary degree/certificate producing institution as a full-time student; must have completed at least the second semester of studies.
Recent graduates who graduated no more than 12 months prior to an internship start date; received their degree outside of the U.S.

All applicants must have a good command of the English language.

The internship must also have a clear relation to the applicant’s academic education and must be highly relevant to the future career development of the applicant.

Trainee Eligibility

Training programs are designed to allow foreign professionals to come to the United States to gain exposure to U.S. culture and to receive training in U.S. business practices in their chosen occupational field.

This category applies to foreign nationals who:

Have a degree or professional certificate from a foreign post-secondary academic institution and at least one year of related work experience in the applicant’s occupational field outside the United States, or
Have (if no degree) five years of work experience outside the United States in the occupational field in which applicant seeks training.

All applicants must have a good command of the English language.

The traineeship must have a clear relation to the applicant’s academic and professional background and must be highly relevant to the future career development of the applicant.

Requirements for Host Companies

To determine eligibility, the SUSCC needs to receive the application form and agreement from the host company.
The SUSCC Exchange Visa Program will consider the number of employees, incorporation date, company history, current business activities, and company financials in determining whether the host organization meets the minimum requirements to host a J-1 Exchange Visitor.
The host must be an established business in operation for at least one year and provide their Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN).
The host must not use the intern/trainee program for ordinary employment or staffing and must not displace American workers with interns/trainees.
The host company must have at least three full-time employees

Travel Validation

If you wish to travel abroad while you are in the United States with a J-1 Visa, and to facilitate your readmission to the United States after a visit in another country, you should have the Responsible Officer or Alternate Responsible Officer of the SUSCC indicate on the TRAVEL VALIDATION BY RESPONSIBLE OFFICER section of the Form DS-2019 that you continue to be in good standing.

The Exchange Visitor should mail the DS-2019 Form and write and email a letter with the travel details to the SUSCC at least three weeks before the trip takes place. Failure to include any information will result in delays of your travel validation processing.

J-1 Visa Extension

It is possible to extend the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program at the host company if the program does not exceed a total duration of 12 months (internship) or 18 months (traineeship). Please note, however, that an extension may not simply be a continuation of the present activities and tasks. An extension is only granted under the condition that the intern/trainee will be undertaking new and more challenging tasks in the present training area or will be working on a new project. This new position must build upon the practical skills the intern/trainee has learned in his/her present position.

More information

Price List

J-1 Visa Processing 1/6 Months $1,500

J-1 Visa Processing 7/8 Months $2,000

J-2 Visa Processing Fee $800

Extension Fee $500

Travel Validation $75

Reprinting Fee $300

Site Visits

Free of charge in New York City
For all other locations, price will be determined on a case-by-case basis

Contact Information

Tania Caldwell J-1 Exchange Visitor Program 6468680203 smartin@spainuscc.org

J1 Visa Process

To begin the process, the Chamber must receive the following documents duly completed and signed. Once we have all correct documents from the candidate and the host company, the application will be considered complete and we will begin processing your application for a DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility.

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