Requirements for J-1 Trainee Visa

[Bepster 0]

Hello everyone,

I hope I can get some information from the community.

A few days ago, I was offered a trainee position in the US, I am from Sweden.

While this is great news, I am starting to worry that I am in fact not eligable.

I do have a BFA in one field but the trainee position is in another. However in the field of the trainee position, I have 3 years in a BFA course + 2 years of a Masters course.

The problem is, I am short just a few credits in both and the only program I have actually graduated is in the technically non related field.

I have however run my own business for the past year in a related field.

It is complicated, I know.

So here my question. As I understand it, I would be able to apply for a 18 month J-1 visa on the grounds of me running my own business for a year in a related field and that I have a degree from Sweden, though that one is not directly related.

Please advice!

Thanks you.

[leith@Ievgeniia 8]

in your first statement you said you was coming to usa on a training. that means the company that offered you must sponer you with and apply for your visa. but now your asking about starting a company in usa? not sure i relay understand what your trying to do. please restate

[Bepster 0]

Sorry if I might have been confusing. It's a complicated situation.

Let me clarify. I have run my own freelance business in Sweden for the past year. However given the opportunity now in the US, I want to put my company on hold and work as a trainee.

So no, I am not looking to start a business in the US.

I mentioned it as I hope it will count as relavent work experience in my application process. That is all.

So here is what I bring to the table:

- BFA 3 years (non related field) graduated

- BFA 3 years (related field) not graduated, 1 year short

- MA 2 years (related field) not graduated, but very close, missing one course but completed my master thesis

- Own business in a related field 1 year

- combined 6 months Internships

Is this enough to apply?

Edited April 14, 2012 by Bepster

[Little_My 464]

Is the company that wants to bring you to the US one a designated sponsor organization in the J-1 exchange programme? And does the work fall under one of the following categories:

Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing;

Arts and Culture;

Construction and Building Trades;

Education, Social Sciences, Library Science, Counseling and Social Services;

Health Related Occupations;

Hospitality and Tourism;

Information Media and Communications;

Management, Business, Commerce and Finance;

Public Administration and Law; and

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

If the company is a sponsor organization, and the work falls under one of those categories, then I believe you would qualify for the J1. J-1 applicant must..

- Be a foreign national who has a degree or professional certificate from a foreign post-secondary academic institution and at least one year of prior related work experience in his or her occupational field outside the United States; or

- Have five years of work experience outside the United States in the occupational field in which they are seeking training

It is not specified that the post-secondary degree must be in a related field, and given that you do have a degree AND several years of studies that are relevant, I think it is pretty likely you would qualify. The main thing to confirm first is whether the sponsoring organization qualifies or not.

This website is a very good resource for J-1 information: http://j1visa.state.gov/programs/trainee/

[Bepster 0]

Little_My,

Thank you for your respons.

I hope you are correct.

Yes, the company is approved, they have had many trainees and interns before me that needed a J-1 visa.

The information on the web is a bit fuzzy but yes, on the official site, it does not specify which area the degree is in.

It does that however for the internship program.

Again, thank you for your advice and opinion.

[Bepster 0]

Little_My,

Thank you for your respons.

I hope you are correct.

Yes, the company is approved, they have had many trainees and interns before me that needed a J-1 visa.

The information on the web is a bit fuzzy but yes, on the official site, it does not specify which area the degree is in.

It does that however for the internship program.

Again, thank you for your advice and opinion.

A little update on what I have uncovered. Two contradictory statements regarding of or if not the degree has to be in the field of training.

Please if anybody can confirm ether one...

Statement 1:

"unfortunately you can only do internship/training in a field in which you hold at least a BA degree."

http://www.apex-foundation.org/internships-usa-j1-visa-sponsorship/

Statement 2:

"Trainees: Have earned a degree or professional certificate from a foreign post-secondary academic institution (the degree does not have to be related to the field of training)"

http://globalchoices.org/internships-usa-faq.html

Edited April 14, 2012 by Bepster

[Mr & Mrs Owl 1]

How and where did you apply for the trainee program? Through the company directly, or an organization? And most importantly.. did you pay anything to anyone?

If you have been accepted for an internship by a US company, I would've assumed that they also looked into your credentials and had it approved.

Do you know if the company is working with a work placement organization?

Whenever you've been approved by the company, and your educational background is matching the training program, then you're good to go. The US embassy doesn't scrutinize your credits; rather try to figure out if your background has any relevancy to the training program you've been offered.

[Bepster 0]

How and where did you apply for the trainee program? Through the company directly, or an organization? And most importantly.. did you pay anything to anyone?

If you have been accepted for an internship by a US company, I would've assumed that they also looked into your credentials and had it approved.

Do you know if the company is working with a work placement organization?

Whenever you've been approved by the company, and your educational background is matching the training program, then you're good to go. The US embassy doesn't scrutinize your credits; rather try to figure out if your background has any relevancy to the training program you've been offered.

I applied to the company directly. Nothing has been paid as of yet.

Yes, they are working with CIEE.

At the time I was convinced that I had all the credits for my Masters which, when I compiled my material discovered, I had not.

So now I am looking for alternative ways.

The firm does at them moment not know about my dilemma. That being said, I don't think they care as long as I get the Visa.

I was not accepted based on my credentials but rather my skill set and portfolio of work.

Lacking credits in their eyes will not change whether I am qualified for the job or not. What I am worried about is if the whoever is issuing my Visa will care.

However, it should all be fine if as stated my first Bachelor degree is sufficient to cover the requirement of a "degree or professional certificate from a foreign post-secondary academic institution".

I do have enough post graduation experience with clients, willing to write me letters to confirm this.

I should also state that I have since I graduated from my first Bachelors, which is not directly related to the field of Training, worked and lectured in combining both fields, hence creating a third field.

While my field of training technically is not directly connected, it is indeed relevant to what I have since done with the degree, both in my further education and my work.

I have today talked to the Organization, who here in Sweden will help me with the process. They stated that yes, it is a difficult situation but not hopeless and a matter of interpretation from CIEE and the American Government.

So they advised me to compile anything that might help to build a bridge between my degree and my trainee job in order to make a case.

If anybody has any experience with this, please do share!

[Mr & Mrs Owl 1]

My input was based on my own experience as a J1 visa holder and visa recipient at the US Embassy in Stockholm.

The US Consular Officer will look on your DS-2019 (and DS-7002) and perhaps require a CV or ask you about your educational background. They will assume that your qualification is matching the internship progam, which the agency (CIEE) should look into, and decide. So don't worry about that part of the process. Once again, if you've already been accepted by the agency and have the DS (Department of State) documents in hand, then you are good to go!

The US Embassy is not admitting you to the internship program, nor deciding your eligibility; they only issue your visa and make sure that you have a clear agenda upon finishing your internship program in the US.

The first step for a prospective nonimmigrant exchange visitor is to be accepted in an established exchange visitor program... [...] At the conclusion of their program, Exchange Visitor program participants are expected to return to their home countries to utilize the experience and skills they have acquired while in the U.S. Questions regarding an exchange program(s) should be directed to the program sponsor.

http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1267.html

[Bepster 0]

Thank you for your input.

So I guess it is CIEE that has to be convinced of sponsering my case then, if I understand you correctly?

Once they decide to admit me to the program, I should be good to go.

I should make clear that this has not happened yet. I am still compiling all paper work to present to CIEE (through Kilroy Education) and to hear their determination if I fulfill the requirements.

Did I understand this process correctly?

[Mr & Mrs Owl 1]

Yes, CIEE is most likely hired by the company to arrange the J1 procedure and assess your credentials.

You simply have to do whatever it takes to show that your skills are relevant to the training program offered by the company.