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Frequently
Asked
Questions
on the IEBT
program
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J-1 Visa RELATED:
What is a Non-Immigrant Visa?
A non-immigrant visa is a request to enter the United States to accomplish a specific purpose, such as visiting, studying, or working in a specialty job, after which the applicant will return to their home country. This purpose will determine what type of visa you require.
A visa issued for one purpose may not be legally used for another purpose without receiving the proper permission. For example, if you have received a Business/Tourist visa, you are not authorized to work in the United States on that visa. |
Can you explain J-1 visa processing procedures?
Getting a US visa is not difficult, if you follow US Immigration Law. It gets complicated if an applicant:
(1) does not provide the right documents or unknowingly does not follow application rules, and/or (2) has limited understanding/information/knowledge of US immigration laws and in particular, knowledge of J-1 exchange visitor program (EVP) or other US visa programs she/he is applying for. In any of above occasions, a foreign applicant can fail his/her visa interview. Therefore, sponsor schools like ICLS and their overseas partners provide necessary information and consultations to their applicants explaining the above rules. They also review and screen each application and request additional information if they consider such information necessary to complete the review of the application.
If the Sponsor (ICLS) finds the application incomplete, it takes longer for ICLS to collect the proper information. Each case is different; there is not one standard for all applicants. Because an applicant might have one of the above problems or a combination of problems, we must use an individual approach in working with each application. Sometimes it can be quite time-consuming, but we never give up on an application unless circumstances are beyond our control. |
What is the difference between an H1-b visa and a J-1 visa?
| The goal of the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program is to provide a foreign participant with the opportunity to learn new skills and gain practical experience in his/her career field as well as to allow him/her to experience a new culture and lifestyle. There is a fundamental difference between employment/job and on-the-job training exchange or internship (both terms have almost the same meaning!) in the US: H-1b visa allows you to come to the US as a non-immigrant alien with permission to work legally in the US in order to gain work/employment experience and earn money. J-1 visa is a training visa that permits foreign aliens to learn new skills and techniques/methods in their career fields and experience cross-cultural exchanges through practical training/internships in the US. Gaining experience is not permitted without learning experience. |
When is the right time to apply to the IEBT Program? Should I apply a few months in advance?
| IEBT/ICLS welcomes applications up to one year in advance of your desired start date, and we strongly urge all applicants to submit applications as far in advance as possible. We accept applications until the deadline for each session. If an application is submitted after the deadline for a session has passed, the application will be considered for the next session and the applicant will be notified accordingly. We ask all applicants to submit their applications as far in advance as possible to allow sufficient time for application review, host company placement and paperwork, issuing the J-1 visa application, and scheduling a visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country. Late applications cause anxiety for the applicant and allow IEBT/ICLS less time to find you the best internship placement. Submitting your application at least 4 months in advance gives IEBT/ICLS time to find the best internship placement for you and allows the applicant time to obtain the J-1 visa at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. |
What is on-the-job training?
| On-the-job training means that professional training is carried out in a
workplace, instead of in a classroom setting. The goal of on-the-job
training is to provide “learning by doing” and “hands-on experience.” This
means that trainees will learn new skills and acquire new knowledge through
performing tasks of a professional nature. Trainees will have a host
supervisor/mentor who will give them guidance and feedback about their
performance. |
How can I pay the sevis fee?
| SEVIS fee must be paid before going to the embassy. Please visit
http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/index.htm to get more detail. |
Host Company Placement:
Can you describe placement procedures?
If there is a host company available in the requested or designated training/career field and if the applicant passes the host company interview and is offered the internship position, it takes up to 4-5 weeks FOR COMPLETING the J-1 visa application and MAILING it to the applicant’s home country.
Factors that delay the application process:
(1) A host company in the requested (or ICLS qualified) training/career field is not available at that moment because that host already has a trainee interning for that host by the time the application is submitted.
(2) Host is available, however, the internship position does not match with our applicant's background, work experience or/and training and internship goals.
(3) Host and internship position are available; however, host did not choose the applicant’s resume. The host might be looking for an applicant with specific skills that our applicant did not have.
(4) Host is not available in the particular location/city, town, state that is requested by an applicant, and the applicant is not flexible to change his/her mind/plans.
Other important factors: (1) Host is impressed by the applicant's background (education, subjects taken at school, work experience) - however during interview, an applicant shows a lack of aggressive self-marketing which is an important part of American business culture and is what host companies expect from all applicants. Poor self-marketing can be because of (a) lack of strong English communication skills, listening and understanding skills, and poor pronunciation that leaves a weak impression about the applicant, (b) lack of interview skills and experience, (c) different culture of presenting educational and skills achievements, (d) being unfamiliar with taking interviews by phone and in English. Overall, we see more cultural and language difficulties that create a huge obstacle for applicants from foreign countries to win an interview or to have a positive and impressive interview with American host companies. Therefore, the host does not accept the applicant. (2) J-1 Visa processing can take up to 2 months mostly due to developing a customized training plan and getting invitation letters signed from hosts. We have improved our recruitment review. If the application is incomplete, we inform our partner or an applicant and request additional information. It takes up to 1-2 months for applicants sometimes to send missing information or documents. This also slows the process of review. If we see unrealistic applications - for example: applicant is applying for a very specific or competitive field, or has made poor assessment of his/her knowledge and skills that does not qualify him/her for requested training position, then we advise our applicant to work with us on a new training plan to come up with a better and realistic training plan and the internship field. Thankfully it does not happen often. Most of the time, we have very good applicants. They are all very talented and full of energy to learn. |
How long does it take if I apply for an internship position now?
ICLS must respect the recruitment policy and procedures of the host company.
Generally, if all the papers are in place, it usually takes about one month for completing all the paperwork, collecting signatures (all documents must be signed by all involved parties), and mailing the package to the applicant’s home country. Host companies can cause delays in completing the paperwork for a number of reasons. For example, if the key person at the company is on a business trip, we must wait for him/her to return and sign the papers. Most of the companies cooperate well with us in completing and signing the paperwork in a timely manner.
ICLS maintains the policy of "first come first serve." We work methodically with applications as they arrive to our program. If the application is incomplete, then we send a request for missing documents and while this application is on hold, we work with the next application. However, if there is an acute demand from the host and the applicant’s program start date is determined, then we try to meet the host's deadlines. Sometimes we receive an application with an internship request in a field for which we have a host who has also submitted his/her request for an intern. In these cases, we immediately arrange an interview for that applicant. Again, as you can see, we have an individual approach to each customer and it is our policy to treat each customer equally and with respect. |
On-the-job training/internships with American host companies:
What is the difference between on-the-job training and internship?
On-the-job training is for professionals with at least two years work experience in their field. The goal of on-the-job training is to acquire additional and new skills and knowledge in that field. On-the-job trainees are usually put into mid-level training positions and are expected to exchange professional skills and work experience with their American peers. The duration of on-the-job training is up to 18 months. To qualify for paid on-the-job training positions, trainees must possess fluent English skills (oral, written, listening) and work experience in the field of interest. Host companies offering paid on-the-job training expect their trainees to perform mid-level administrative and managerial tasks and to have advanced, specific knowledge of the field.
Internships are for students or individuals with no professional experience and/or skills in their field of choice. They are permitted to obtain entry-level internships, meaning that assignments and responsibilities in entry-level positions are limited to learning basic skills. Internships can last up to 12 months; however, host companies prefer to host interns on a short-term basis according to university semesters. Interns do not qualify for paid internship positions. In some cases, entry-level interns are provided with a stipend, but these opportunities are very limited and stipends are minimal (up to $200/month). These paid positions are short-term (up to 3 months) and highly competitive. |
Why do American companies use the word “internship” and not “on-the-job training”?
| The term “internship” has become popular in America to describe various training opportunities in a workplace, whether entry- or mid-level. The most basic definition of both on-the-job training and internship is “learning by doing”. American companies commonly use the word “internship” to describe any professional training opportunities offered to non-employees. |
Will I have the chance to improve my English skills during my internship?
| Many trainees and students intend to practice their English and improve their English skills during the internship with an American host company. However, American host companies do not provide English training and they expect trainees to already possess strong English skills. Trainees must possess sufficient English skills to be able to successfully perform assigned tasks. It is true that trainees will have the opportunity to practice their English in the host company by communicating and performing daily tasks of a professional nature. Sometimes trainees forget about the meaning and goals of on-the-job training/internships and concentrate on improving their English at the host company. Our advice is to make sure that you reach a level of English that will allow you to fully function in an American host company by participating in English training at ICLS before the on-the-job training/internship begins. Even if you have previous professional experience in your field and you qualify for mid-level professional training, you will be assigned entry-level tasks if your English is not sufficient enough to perform mid-level assignments. |
How much do host organizations pay?
| ICLS does not negotiate the size of a stipend. ICLS does not recruit individuals for US employment where it is common to negotiate the salary for a client. We are not an employment staffing agency or recruitment agency. If you plan to work in the US, then you may need to apply for the working visa - H-1b! |
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Last
Updated:
12/21/2007 09:58:59 AM -0500 |
