Take your pick.
The J-1 visa category is a general term for a visa granted to individuals who wish to travel to the United States to gain exposure to its culture and business practices. There are many facets under the J-1 visa. Below are some of the more common programs under J-1 which Filipino passport holders take along with each program’s highlights as culled from the official government website:
J-1: Summer Work and Travel
The Summer Work Travel program provides foreign students with an opportunity to live and work in the United States during their summer vacation from college or university to experience and to be exposed to the people and way of life in the United States.
Summer Work Travel Students must be:
– Sufficiently proficient in English to successfully interact in an English speaking environment;
– Post-secondary school students enrolled in and actively pursuing a degree or other full-time course of study at an accredited classroom based, post-secondary educational institution outside the United States;
– Have successfully completed at least one semester or equivalent of post-secondary academic study; and
– Pre-placed in a job prior to entry unless from a visa waiver country.
Purpose of visit:
Provide foreign students with opportunities to experience U.S. culture while working in unskilled seasonal or temporary jobs.
Position in home country:
Enrolled in a university or college outside of the U.S. (including final year students).
Visitor eligibility:
Full time student at accredited post- secondary, classroom-based, academic institutions outside of the U.S. & has completed at least one semester.
Duration of U.S. visit:
4 months. (12 months for AUS/NZ pilot program).
Repeat participation:
Yes
J-1: Internship Program
Internship programs are designed to allow foreign college and university students or recent graduates to come to the United States to gain exposure to U.S. culture and to receive hands-on experience in U.S. business practices in their chosen occupational field.
Interns must be foreign nationals:
– 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.
Purpose of visit:
Structured internship program that is in the student’s field of study
Position in home country:
Enrolled in an academic university or college outside of the U.S. or graduated within 12 months of program start
Visitor eligibility:
Currently enrolled in at a foreign post-secondary academic institution outside the U.S. OR graduated no more than 12 months prior to their program start date.
Duration of visit:
3 weeks – 12 months
Repeat performance:
Yes, if advanced internship at the next degree level.
J-1: Traineeship Program
Training programs are designed to allow foreign professionals to come to the United States to gain exposure to U.S. culture and to receive training in U.S. business practices in their chosen occupational field.
Trainees must be foreign nationals who:
– Has a degree or 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; or
– Has five years of work experience outside the United States in the occupational field in which they are seeking training
Purpose of visit:
Structured internship program that is in the student’s field of study
Position in home country:
Has a post- secondary degree or certificate from outside of the U.S. & 1 year of work experience; or 5 years of work experience
Visitor eligibility:
Has degree or professional certificate from a foreign post- secondary institution AND at least 1-year prior related experience outside the U.S. OR have 5 years of experience in the field in which they are seeking training
Duration of visit:
3 weeks – 18 months;
Hospitality: max 12 months
Repeat performance:
Yes. After 24 months residency outside U.S.
Ready to start?
Have you determined the suitable J-1 visa program for you or do you still need help in assessing your eligibility further? Either way, do feel free to reach out to us via email, SMS or our social media channels so we can assist you accordingly.