J1? Intern? Trainee? Specialist?

[lomaca 0]

Hi Guys,

Hoping someone can point me in the right direction here.....

Basically there is a place in New York called Omega Institute I just found out that the only way they take in non US citizens is if you have a J1 visa. So I am trying to figure out how I can get a J1 to get in.....

I'm an Irish gal with BA degree but over 5 years ago in Arts-Classical Studies. Does it matter what age I am for J1????

Just finishing diploma in Holistic Healthcare online course- based in Canada.

Qualified Yoga Instructor.

How do I go about getting in and what area can I or do I apply? I guess I need to write them a letter to ask if they would sponsor me and detail my areas of training and interest. A J1 is an exchange visitor visa right-same thing yeah?

I've been trawling through the websites trying to figure out what section applies to me but I'm confused.

I believe I could do an intern as my course was in holistic healthcare and they do allot of holistic work there too and although the school started in the US it moved to Canada so I believe that would cover this:

Who are currently enrolled in and pursuing studies at a foreign degree- or certificate-granting post-secondary academic institution outside the United States; or

Who have graduated from such an institution no more than 12 months prior to their exchange visitor program start date.

What sub category?? Internships are offered in the following occupational categories:

Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing;

Arts and Culture;

Construction and Building Trades;

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

Health Related Occupations; THIS ONE I GUESS RIGHT???

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.

Or could I go as a trainee as I've been a yoga instructor for 4 years-

Requirements 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;

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

Hope someone can help me out.

Thank you so so much,

Blessings Lo.

Edited April 6, 2013 by lomaca

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

There are lots of different J1s, especially for Irish people....

First of all, what would you be doing/ studying at that Institute, would it be full time, how would you pay for it and how long would the course last?

[lomaca 0]

I'm not sure I haven't spoken to anyone yet but most likely work in an area where I could also gain expertise. I'd like to be there and would work or train. Yes it would be more or less full term 40 hours a week you get a little money or 30 hours you get no money.

Any further ideas or suggestions?

Thank you so much.

There are lots of different J1s, especially for Irish people....

First of all, what would you be doing/ studying at that Institute, would it be full time, how would you pay for it and how long would the course last?

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

It's difficult to advice without knowing how long the "thing' would last- on first impression, it sounds like an M1 student visa would suit better than a J1. M1 visas are for studying at a "Vocational or other recognized nonacademic institution". I think you first need to talk more to the Institute- if they are reputable, they should have someone to advice foreign students on their options.

[lomaca 0]

Yes I will get on to them on Monday morning. From what I've heard from others I think they only do J visas....but yes I will.

It's like a big spiritual conference place with a variety of different classes going on-but as they are more spiritual/new agey classes not sure how that would work...Thank you for your help in the meantime.

Will keep you posted.

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

If they are just general classes rather than something that ends in a (recognised) degree (ie Reiki vs Chiropractice), then you may be able to do it on the visa waiver... of course you could not work then.

With a J1, you would need someone to sponsor you. For a trainee type position, that someone is usually the place where you'd intern at. There are some special J1 visas for Irish people that recently graduated, but you would not qualify for that.

[Boiler 45,525]

I had a look on their web site, seems VWP would do it for classes.

[lomaca 0]

Hi Boiler thank you for that

would that mean that I could only stay a little while tho and couldn;t get pay right?

Not sure what vwp is-will check it out more

could you also send me that link if you wouldn't mind

Thank you sooo much

Thank you

I had a look on their web site, seems VWP would do it for classes.

[lomaca 0]

Hi Boiler, actually I believe you have to have a visa that allows you to be paid even a small amount. I filled out an application before and they said that unless I have a visa that allows me to work or a green card I couldn't come in, but a friend that it there told me they accept j visas....

I did send an email so hope to get more clarification on that.

Once again thank you

Hi Boiler thank you for that

would that mean that I could only stay a little while tho and couldn;t get pay right?

Not sure what vwp is-will check it out more

could you also send me that link if you wouldn't mind

Thank you sooo much

Thank you

[Penguin_ie 5,993]

Yes if you want to get paid, you need a visa. The visa waiver program is the 90 day "ESTA thing" that Irish people (and others) can use to not need a visa to visit the USA for tourism or business, but you cannot work on it.

If you need a work visa, you need a sponsor, ie the institute would need to arrange this for you, or a intermediate agency (such as USIT does it for the summer J1s for Irish students).

[lomaca 0]

Hi Queen P

Yeah from looking further into i,t it would appear I'm not eligible for an intern because I'm only getting a diploma not a degree and it's not an Irish College or Uni

Be studying towards/have obtained a degree (level 7 or higher) qualification from an Irish University.

But it would seem that the trainee one would might be the way to go but I'm not certain on that either. I emailed Omega so I'll wait and see

Fingers crossed

Thanks hun.

Have a degree or higher qualification from a recognised Irish third level institution and at least 12 months of full time work experience in your qualified field outside of the USA.

Or

If you do not have any third level qualification, you must have at least 5 years of professional career experience in your field of expertise.

If you are not an Irish citizen, but you have completed your entire third level education in Ireland and have at least 12 months of full time work experience in your qualified field outside of the USA, you may be eligible - (please email your details to internshipusa@usit.ie for further clarification)

Secure a trainee position within a US Company that is related to your field of study/expertise, but does not replicate any of your previous training/work experience.

If you are an Irish citizen, but you hold a college qualification from the UK and have at least 12 months of full time work experience in your qualified field outside of the USA, you may be eligible for the Professional Career Training - (please email your details to internshipusa@usit.ie for further clarification)

Yes if you want to get paid, you need a visa. The visa waiver program is the 90 day "ESTA thing" that Irish people (and others) can use to not need a visa to visit the USA for tourism or business, but you cannot work on it.

If you need a work visa, you need a sponsor, ie the institute would need to arrange this for you, or a intermediate agency (such as USIT does it for the summer J1s for Irish students).