Eight Steps To Implementing A J-1 Visa Internship Program by A.H. Lostocco

www.internship4america.com

The following will provide you with the (8) basic steps required to implement a program to recruit an International student or young professional through the US State Department J-1 Exchange Visitor Program;

Steps

1. Start small allocate one or two positions to the program. You will want to make sure that the international candidates you chose blend into your corporate culture, so screening and interviewing are key factors to success. Since this program is a training program you will be expected to provide adequate learning opportunities that are incorporated into the day-to-day job activities.

a. TIP: this process will take 8 to 10 weeks to produce your first intern on site.

2. There are a number of websites where you can find candidates interested in participating in an internship. Check out the following websites:

a. www.internshipprograms.com (Free)

b. www.internship4america.com (Free)

c. www.learn4good.com (Cost)

d. www.risingstar.com (Cost)

3. Prior to making your initial contact you need to know approximately how much you intend to pay the trainee; do you intend to provide housing; and if you intend to cover any of the visa related costs. Customarily the intern covers the cost associated with obtaining their Visa and transportation to the work site, which can add up to as much as $2000 to $3800. Some employers do provide assistance that is paid upon satisfactory completion of the program.

4. Initially contact the applicants by email to start the dialogue

a. TIP: for each position you have available identify, screen and interview at least (4) candidates and keep all of them active and under consideration until one obtains a visa.

5. Your interviewing process should be sensitive to the candidate´s ability to communicate effectively. Remember that members of your staff may have difficulties understanding an individual with a strong accent. You may want to consider having a candidate speak with the individual or individuals he or she may be working for. If they buy into the individual it will be easier going for everyone involved.

6. Upon expressing serious interest the candidates needs to go to the U.S. Department of State website which will assist the candidate with applying for a J-1 Visa. The critical document that the candidate will need to obtain is a DS-2019 which will be required.

a. TIP: You may want to do some research on this subject because this is a lengthy and cumbersome process that can take at least 4 or 5 weeks and will require you to assist the candidate with some critical documents-job offer, training plan, company D&B number, and general information.

7. Upon completion of the J-1 Visa process the candidate will be provided with the proper documentation (Including a DS-2019) to set up an interview with his or her local US Embassy.

a. TIP: the final decision on granting a visa lies with the local US Embassy. It is important that the candidate is well prepared for this critical interview and can supply good supporting documentation of strong family ties. Multiple interviews is not uncommon if the candidate is not properly prepared.

8. Upon obtaining a Visa the candidate is free to travel to the US.

For many candidates this trip will be the first time that s/he will have left his/her home country and will require a few weeks to overcome the cultural shock that often occurs. So be sensitive to what may appear as a performance problem, which in actuality is nothing more then a getting adjusted manifestation.

If I can be of any other assistance feel free to contact me directly at lostocco1@internship4america.com or I can be reached at 404-531-9574.

Alexander H. Lostocco