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 trainees and interns 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 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
The 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.
Usually, 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 duration of six months or less) if they can document that they are receiving funding from other sources.
ASF Program Fee: The host organization also pays ASF a program fee of $100 per month, minimum fee of $400 for programs of up to four months. This fee meets the costs of the program. If the firm is not prepared to pay the fee, then ASF asks the intern or trainee to pay it.
The Application Process
After the intern/trainee locates an assignment; they contact ASF's cooperating office in their country to request an application packet. They may not apply for this program in the U.S.; they must apply through ASF's cooperating office in their country. Application procedures vary by country. When ASF receives the name and address of the U.S. firm which agreed to be the host organization offering the position and verifies the applicant's eligibility, we will write to the firm to introduce ASF and its training program and to request a training/internship plan.
Interview:
As part of the application process, each applicant must be interviewed by ASF's cooperating office or by ASF. The interview may be in person or by web cam.
The application process generally takes eight weeks.
INFORMATION FROM THE U.S. HOST FIRM
The host organization / trainer will need to provide to the ASF the following information:
- Their Dun & Bradstreet identification number (unless the host organization is an academic institution, government entity, or family farm). This is required.
- Employer Identification Number (EIN) used for tax purposes
- Verification of Workman's Compensation Insurance Policy
This information is provided on the profile of the firm (Adobe PDF) which host firms must submit.
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
The Denmark-America Foundation (DAF)
Fiolstræde 24, 3. sal
DK-1171 Copenhagen K, Denmark
tel: 011-45-33 12 82 23
fax: 011-45-33 32 53 23
e-mail: training@daf-fulb.dk
web: www.wemakeithappen.dk
Centre for International Mobility (CIMO)
PL 343
SF-00531 Helsinki, Finland
Tel: 011-358-207 868 500
Fax: 011-358-207 868 601
e-mail: cimoinfo@cimo.fi
web: www.cimo.fi
The League of Finnish-American Societies
Mechelininkatu 10A
SF-00100 Helsinki, Finland
tel: 011-358-9-41 333 700
fax: 011-358-9-408 974
e-mail: www.sayl.fi
web: www.sayl.fi
The Icelandic-American Society
c/o Mr. Sigurjon Asbjornsson
Icecraft Ltd.
Skogarhlid 12
105 Reykjavík, Iceland
tel: 011-354-511 2050
fax: 011-354-511 2051
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
email: cstoro@noram.no
web: www.noram.no
International Employment Office (trainees only)
Arbetsfö
SE- 503 10 Borås
Tel: 011-46-10-48 65 810
Fax: 011-46-31 61 93 15
e-mail: kaisa.kryger@arbetsformedlingen.se
web: www.arbetsformedlingen.se
The Sweden-America Foundation (interns only)
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
e-mail: info@sweamfo.se
web: www.sweamfo.se
Please note that ASF's Cooperating Offices are not able to help you locate a training position.