J-1 HOST

During the integration process for new host companies, our team will request that you:

• Fill out our host company application form to evaluate the eligibility of your company and training program. This form must be completed for all program applications.

• Participate in a short telephone conversation with a representative from Stanley Prep to gain more information about your organization and its offerings. Keep in mind that we will not be able to process your application until the interview is finished and we have received the participant application.

• You will be required to pay a new company fee if this is the first time you are working with us. For further details, please refer to the Fees + Refunds page.

A representative from Stanley Prep may come to your business or organization to check that it meets the basic hosting standards set by the U.S. Department of State. This visit must be done before issuing the DS-2019 and typically takes less than an hour. The decision to have a visit will be made after receiving a finished application. Site visits are mandatory when a company:

• Has fewer than 25 employees at the program site

AND

• Generates annual revenue of less than $3 million

Companies that have not successfully hosted a program with Stanley Prep within the past three years before submitting a new program application will be required to go through the New Host Company onboarding process.

 *According to the U.S. Department of State, a training program is considered successful when the participant provides evaluations to the sponsoring organization. Programs shorter than six months only need a final evaluation, while programs longer than six months require both a midterm and final evaluations.

 Prospective hosts are required to give a copy of their workers’ compensation policy, a brief overview of the intern or trainee’s working area, and to respond to further queries about the information in the Training/Internship Placement Plan during site visits. It’s worth mentioning that academic and government institutions are typically excused from the site visit requirement.

Host companies are required to offer J-1 participants training opportunities that will improve their professional abilities and give them an understanding of American business practices and culture. The company must have an appropriate workspace for the intern that is equipped with the necessary tools for the job and also provide support and oversight during the training program.

 Eligible Fields

• Arts and Culture

• Business, Management, Commerce, and Finance

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

• Health-related Occupations

• Hospitality and Tourism

• Information, Media, and Communications

• Public Administration and Law

• Sciences, Engineering, Mathematics, Architecture, and Industrial Occupations

 Fields Not Eligible for Intern or Trainee Sponsorship

• Positions involving more than 20% clerical activity

• Positions of unskilled labor

• Flight training

• Performing arts, including dance instructors

• Positions involving clinical or medical patient care or contact including dentistry, child/elder care, veterinary medicine, doctors, nurses, psychological therapy, cosmetology, sports or physical therapy, speech therapy or social work

• Programs in child care and sports coaching, this includes positions at pre-schools and daycare centers, and afterschool programs

• Programs in the field of carpentry, home electricians, or construction trades

• Programs at camps or residential facilities, economy hotels, bakeries, retail sites, auto body shops, home-based construction businesses or home offices

• Programs involving the use of staffing agencies or unauthorized recruiters

Eligibility requirements for participating in a J-1 exchange program have been set by the U.S. Department of State and Stanley Prep.

• To be eligible as a host, the organization must have been operational for at least a year and provide their Federal Employer Identification Number (EIN). Stanley Prep will evaluate the host’s qualifications based on factors such as the number of employees, date of incorporation, company history, ongoing business activities, and financials to determine if the organization meets the sponsorship requirements.

• The company and training site should have a minimum of 5 full-time staff members.

• In most cases, Stanley Prep has a ratio of 10 staff members for every 1 participant.

• The host organization must not utilize the intern/trainee program for regular employment purposes or as a means of staffing and must not replace American workers with interns or trainees.

• The host must not have the intention of helping the participant extend their stay in the United States beyond the approved program dates or change their visa status.

• The host must provide evidence of a valid workers’ compensation insurance policy. If they are legally exempt from having insurance, they must submit proof of this exemption to Stanley Prep

• Every participant candidate must be interviewed by either the US host or the sponsor. These interviews must be recorded and can be done through video conferencing, phone call, or in-person. The host will specify the method of interview in the Host Company Application for the J-1 Visa.

• The host is required to provide the participant with a minimum of 32 hours of work per week.

• The host must provide ongoing on-site oversight of the participant and their program activities, and give feedback to help the participant improve.

• The host should give the participant a realistic experience in their chosen field as it is commonly practiced in the United States, including different aspects of the business or occupation, and activities that align with the participant’s level of experience and interests. The program should be well-defined, with expectations, requirements, and activities outlined in the training plan. Any changes to the program must be authorized by Stanley Prep.

• The host must comply with all federal, state and local labor and wage laws, including laws on tax withholding. J-1 Visa trainees and interns are not required to pay FICA (Social Security/Medicare) and FUTA (Unemployment) taxes, and they need to get a Social Security Number to receive their wages. Participants should not be treated as independent contractors and their compensation should not be based on tips.

• The host should arrange or offer opportunities for the participant to experience American culture through events both inside and outside the workplace.

• The host must make sure that participants inform us of their arrival and fill out all necessary evaluation forms.

• The host should provide an orientation to the participant upon arrival to ensure they are ready to participate in the program, and clearly explain the company’s rules, policies, and any perks to which the participant is eligible.

*Eligibility for hosting OPT students is different from the one that is for J-1 Interns and Trainees.

 Stanley Prep is a trusted provider of J-1 Visa sponsorship for internship and on-the-job training programs, known for its expertise, experience and reliability. Every year, over 1,000 U.S. companies and institutions, as well as 5,000 individuals from over 100 countries choose Stanley Prep as their solution.

 We can assist you in bringing eligible individuals to the United States for a period of time ranging from three weeks to 18 months, whether you are looking to recruit, assess, or enhance global talent, or create an internship program for your university students.

 The sharing of concepts, knowledge, viewpoints, and connections that takes place between host organizations, interns and trainees and their colleagues in the U.S. is frequently priceless.