The Exchange Visitor (J Visa) Program: Training and Intern Programs: Scandinavians to the U.S.
The American-Scandinavian Foundation's Exchange Visitor (J visa) Program, designated by the U.S. Department of State, gives Scandinavians the unique opportunity to receive practical on-the-job experience in the U.S. and to grow professionally and personally through immersion in American business and community life.
Note: Although Exchange Visitor interns and trainees may receive income, this is not a work program and ASF cannot help anyone seeking a “work permit.” Rather, the emphasis is on learning and international exchange. The intern/trainee is considered an unofficial ambassador of his/her country. Following the program the Exchange Visitor is expected to return home.
Eligibility Requirements for Interns
An Intern is:
- currently enrolled in and pursuing studies at a degree- or certificate-granting post-secondary academic institution outside the United States or
- a recent graduate from such a post-secondary institution who graduated no more than 12 months prior to the start date of his/her Exchange Visitor program
- Fluent in English at the level required for the position
- Motivated to succeed in their training and committed to contributing their talents and skills to the U.S. host trainer's operations
The Exchange Visitor Program for an intern is a structured and guided work-based internship program in his/her specific academic field. Maximum duration for an internship is 12 months.
Eligibility Requirements for Trainees
The trainee must have:
- a degree or professional certificate from a foreign post-secondary academic institution and at least one year of prior related work experience in his/her occupational field acquired outside the United States, or
- five years of work experience outside the United States in his/her occupational field
- fluency in English at the level required for the position
- motivation to succeed in their training and committed to contributing their talents and skills to the U.S. host trainer's operations
The Exchange Visitor Program for the trainee must be a structured and guided work-based training program in his/her specific occupational field. Maximum duration for training is 18 months.
The Assignment in the U.S.
Trainees and interns locate their own assignments with U.S. firms. The assignment must be related to the educational and professional background. The position should provide enough income to meet living expenses. If the position is unpaid the intern or trainee must provide proof of enough funding from other sources to meet the expenses during the program. Most importantly, the position should help the trainee or intern to grow professionally, strengthening skills and providing an American perspective in the field of specialization.
ASF is able to provide visa sponsorship in the following occupational fields:
- Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing
- Arts and Culture
- Construction and Building Trades
- Education, Social Sciences, Library Science, Counseling and Social Services
- Health Related Occupations
- Information Media and Communications
- Management, Business, Commerce and Finance
- Public Administration and Law
- The Sciences, Engineering, Architecture, Mathematics, and Industrial Occupations
If you need help locating a training assignment, please see Tips on Developing a Position in the U.S.
Program Costs
The intern/trainee is responsible for any visa application and SEVIS fees charged by the U.S. Government, the costs of round-trip air travel and medical insurance; the cost for participation in ASF's group insurance plan is $2.20 per day. Most of ASF's cooperating offices (except AF-utland and CIMO) require an application fee. The firm usually pays the intern/trainee an income sufficient to meet their living expenses during the training period. The intern/trainee may accept an unpaid assignment (ONLY for a duration of six months or less) if they can document that they are receiving funding from other sources.
ASF Program Fee: This is an administrative fee to help ASF meet program expenses. This fee is based on program length; please follow the fee schedule below to identify the fee for your program. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on this support to continue our work in international exchange. You will be responsible for the payment of this fee however you may ask your host firm to reimburse you. Final payments of this fee must be received before the sponsoring documents are issued. Early departures will not be refunded.
Fee Schedule
0-3 Months |
3-6 Months |
6-12 Months |
12-18 Months |
$600 |
$750 |
$1,200 |
$1,800 |
NOTE:
-
For replacement/re-issuance of lost or stolen Form DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor) there is a $100 administration fee.
-
The fee for dependents/spouses is $300 per person.
- There is a $600 flat fee for the extension of a program.
The Application Process
Applications and the application process vary by country. After the intern/ trainee locates an assignment in the US, he/she must contact ASF’s cooperating office in his/her home country. All cooperating offices are listed below; if your home country is not listed please contact the ASF directly.
After the applicant provides the ASF with the name and contact information of the US firm that has agreed to act as his/her host organization, and after ASF has verified the applicant’s eligibility, ASF will write to the firm to introduce itself and its exchange program. ASF will also request a training/internship placement plan (Form DS-7002) from the firm on the applicant’s behalf.
Special Instructions for Danish Applicants:
All Danish applicants should first contact the Denmark-America Foundation & Fulbright Commission for preliminary advising on the visa and application processes. DAF will provide you with Denmark-specific application information and instructions.
Denmark-America Foundation & Fulbright Commission
Nørregade 7A, 1.tv
1165 Copenhagen K
tel. 011-45-35324545
Email: training@daf-fulb..dk
Website: www.wemakeithappen.dk/
Interview:
As part of the application process, each applicant must undergo an interview. Applicants from Norway and some applicants from Sweden will interview with the cooperating offices in their home countries. All others will interview with ASF. Interviews may take place in-person or by webcam.
The application process typically takes eight weeks. Please apply as far in advance of your proposed program start date as possible.
INFORMATION FROM THE U.S. HOST FIRM
The host organization / trainer will need to provide to the ASF the following information:
- Employer Identification Number (EIN) used for tax purposes
- Verification of Workman’s Compensation Insurance Policy, equivalent coverage, or, if applicable, evidence of state exemption from the requirement of coverage.
Click here for a list of the host firms ASF worked with throughout 2012
Training/Internship Placement Plan
The host organization (trainer) completes a Training/Internship Placement Plan (Form DS-7002) (Adobe PDF). Host organizations sign the completed Form DS-7002 to verify that that placement is appropriate and consistent with the objectives of the trainee or intern and as set forth in the Training/Internship Placement Plan. The training or internship must be tailored to the skills and experience level of the individual intern/trainee. The ASF and the intern or trainee must also sign the Form DS-70002 before the visa documents can be issued.
SITE visits:
For some firms new to the program, ASF is required to conduct a site visit to ensure that the host trainer organization site is appropriate and conducive to a rewarding internship/training experience. This requirement applies to firm which have not participated in the ASF's program before and have fewer than 25 employees and annual revenues of less that $3 million. The site visit is waived for academic institutions or government entities.
Next step: Issuing the Visa documents
Once ASF has received the intern/trainee application from its cooperating office and reviewed it, once the applicant has had an interview, once the host firm sends a completed Form DS-7002 which the program participant has signed, then ASF will issue the U.S. Government document, called a Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J) Visa Status (Form DS-2019) with which makes the intern or trainee is able to obtain an Exchange Visitor (J) Visa at the American Embassy in the home country. Once the J visa is issued and stamped into the passport, the participant is ready to enter the U.S. and begin his/her Exchange Visitor Program as an intern or a trainee. For further information on the Exchange Visitor Program, visit the U.S. Department of State's web site: http://exchanges.state.gov/jexchanges/
Repeat Programs
Interns:
As long as the student continues to be enrolled full-time in a post-secondary institution, the student may return to the U.S. for another internship but it must be related to the studies and it must be at a more advanced level.
Trainees:
A trainee may return to the U.S. for a second assignment after two years of residence outside the U.S. The second assignment must be at a more advanced level.
ASF's Cooperating Offices
Centre for International Mobility (CIMO)
PL 343
SF-00531 Helsinki, Finland
Tel: 011 358 295 338 500
Fax: 011 358 9 753 1122
ulla.harma@cimo.fi
www.cimo.fi
The Norway-America Association (NAA)
Rådhusgt. 23B
N-0158 Oslo, Norway
tel: 011-47-23 35 71 60
fax: 011-47-23 35 71 75
tknudsen@noram.no
www.noram.no
International Employment Office (young professionals)
Arbetsförmedlingen
Box 293
S-503 10 Borås, Sweden
Tel: 011-46-10-48 65 810
Fax: 011-46-31 61 93 15
kaisa.kryger@arbetsformedlingen.se
www.arbetsformedlingen.se
The Sweden-America Foundation (students)
Box 5280
S-102 46 Stockholm, Sweden
tel: 011-46-8-611 4611 or 011-46-8-611 4644
fax: 011-46-8-611 4004
info@sweamfo.se
www.sweamfo.se
The Denmark-America Foundation & Fulbright Commission
Nørregade 7A, 1.tv.
1165 Copenhagen K
tel: 011-45-35324545
training@daf-fulb.dk
www.wemakeithappen.dk/
Please note that ASF's Cooperating Offices are not able to help you locate a training position.