VISAS

VISA J1

The Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange act of 1961 to promote the foreign policy objectives of mutual understanding between the people of the United States and other countries, through educational and cultural activities, established the J1 Visa category.

Employers do not have to sponsor the candidate. The candidate is sponsored by accredited organizations that have been authorized by the U.S. Department of State to sponsor a number of exchange visitor programs. The employer will only have to submit a training plan detailing the duties and responsibilities of the candidate.

There are 16 different categories for the J1 visa. Placement International Visa service is available to participants in the Intern and Trainee categories in the following fields:

• Business, Management, Commerce and Finance
  
• Hospitality and Tourism
  
• Information, Media and Communications
  
• Public Administration and Law
  
• The Sciences, Engineering, Architecture, Mathematics

The J1 Visa allows the applicant to:

• Participate in a training program for up to 18 months. You are eligible to participate in training program during the dates listed in item #3 on the pink copy of your DS-2019 form. Please remember that this particular J1 Visa DOES NOT allow employment outside of the training program and is NOT extendable past 18 months under any circumstances.
• Obtain a Social Security number.
• Obtain a U.S. driver’s license.

The J1 Visa does not allow the applicant to:

• Change host employer.
• Gain employment outside of the original training program.
• Extend the training program past 18 months.

It is very important to understand that the applicant is not allowed to leave the host company in the middle of the trainee or the J1 Visa status will expire. Also, the candidate may not request to change to a new host company during the program. This is due to visa restrictions regarding change in companies by the Department of States and an agreement with the employer to serve as the host company during the program. This is due to visa restrictions regarding change in companies by the Department of States and an agreement with the employer to serve as the host company in the J1 Visa program.

Under rare circumstances Placement International will evaluate the situation, file the necessary approvals from the Sponsor Organization and make appropriate arrangements for the trainee to find another host company if the approval is granted.

Understanding the J1 Visa Program

The purpose of the J1 Visa Program is to provide international participants with opportunities for professional development, insight into American know-how in the field of training, and a greater understanding of the American society and culture. J1 Trainees are expected to share the cross-cultural and professional knowledge that have gained in the U.S. upon return to their home country and the end of the training. The J1 Program is also intended to allow Americans to learn about the culture and expertise of the participant’s home country.

Requirements

This program is offered to students who would like to complete their semester internships. Experience the U.S. professional culture first hand, while living the American lifestyle.

• Must be 18-29 years old
  
• Good English skills
  
• Must be currently enrolled in school and in the following semester

TN (Trade NAFTA) status is a special non-immigration status unique to citizens of the USA, Canada and Mexico. TN status was created by virtue of the 1994 NAFTA. It allows American, Canadian and Mexican citizens the opportunity to work in each other's countries in certain professional occupations. Within the TN set of occupations, an American, Canadian or Mexican can work for up to three years (until October 16, 2008, one year) at a time. However, the TN status may be renewed indefinitely in three-year increments, although it is not a 'permanent' visa and if US immigration officials suspect it is being used as a de facto substitute for a Green Card,they may elect to deny further renewals.
Spouse and dependent children of a TN professional can be admitted into the United States in the TD status.

Advantages of The TN Visa

Main advantages of the TN Visa over other U.S. Immigration visas:

• Can be obtained quickly
  
• Can be obtained at the border and no petition to U.S. Immigration is required (for Canadians)
  
• No annual limits on the number of TN Visas issued (H-1B has limits)
  
• Very beneficial for employers who want to hire someone quickly
  
• Can be renewed indefinitely
  
• Valid for upto 3 years (new ruling effective Oct 16, 2008)
  

Using the J1 Visa Program to immigrate into the U.S. and/or fill the position of a regular staff member is strictly prohibited by the U.S. Department of State regulations.