You would like to jump start your career in the US? That’s great! The US can offer you a lot of great opportunities but in order to get there you will have to take care of a few things first; such as the J1 visa.

In a previous blog post we explained to you how you can extend your J1 visa - but what is the J1 visa in the first place?

The J1 visa for the USA is a non-immigrant visa. It was started to bring scholars into the United States temporarily for a specific educational purpose (teaching or conducting research). Today, it also focuses on promoting cultural exchange with an exchange of skills between Americans and the rest of the world. The J1 Visa provides countless opportunities for international candidates looking to travel and gain experience in the United States. The multifaceted programs enable you and other foreign nationals to come to the US to study, conduct research, demonstrate special skills or receive on the job training for periods ranging from a few weeks to several years.

In order to work in the US, you will need a visa regardless of your situation. In the case of a J1 visa, it is not your company that will have to sponsor you, but rather a J1 sponsor organization. Don’t worry, we will take care of finding your J1 Visa Sponsor for you. If you would like to find out more about that you can find an article here.

So to summarize, the four mandatory agents that you need for getting a J1 visa are:
* Yourself (logical, I know);
* The company that wants to hire you;
* Your J1 Sponsor (or J1 sponsor organization);
* The US Government (specifically, the Department of State and your consulate).

There is no specific date limit to apply, so your application can be sent any time throughout the year. The processing time to obtain a J1 Trainee visa is usually between 3 and 12 weeks so make sure you start the process well in advance. The application process differs for each type of program and requires a thorough knowledge of each one’s requirements. Indeed, if you don’t complete the proper paperwork, the foreign national’s application may be denied. In order to avoid that we guide you step by step and show you how to fill out all of the necessary files as well as train you for the US Embassy Interview.

International internships can help you advance your career by gaining international experience! Through structured and guided programs, you can increase your understanding of the American culture, while also enhancing Americans’ knowledge of foreign cultures, customs and practices. If you are still looking for the perfect placement, or you already have one and need your visa sorted out, sign up on our website and let us take care of the rest.