J-1 Visa Requirements
To gain professional experience in the USA, you need a clearly defined legal status. The J-1 visa is your key to US companies—provided that both your professional profile and your employer meet the criteria set by the Department of State.
Know Your Status: Intern or Trainee?
Your academic and professional background determines which category you fall into. This choice is crucial for the maximum duration of your stay.
Target Group: Currently enrolled full-time students OR graduates who completed their degree no more than 12 months before the program start.
Duration: Up to 12 months.
Target Group: Academic degree + 1 year of relevant work experience. OR: No degree, but at least 5 years of relevant work experience.
Duration: Up to 18 months (Exception Hospitality/Agriculture: 12 months).
Crucial Rule: Your internship must align with your education.
Host Company Requirements
Not every company is eligible to host J-1 participants. Your employer must provide a professional environment to guarantee the exchange character of the program.
- Commitment: Minimum of 32 hours of training per week.
- Supervision: A supervisor must be available “on-site” at all times.
- Workplace: No home office. You are there to experience US business culture first-hand.
- Safety: Workers’ Compensation insurance is mandatory.
Site Visit
If your host company is small (< 25 employees) or has less than $3 million in annual revenue, US regulations require a physical workplace inspection (“Site Visit”).
Excluded Industries
The J-1 visa is designed for “Skilled Labor.” Activities classified as “unskilled” are strictly prohibited:
- Medicine/Nursing: No clinical patient contact (only observation/research).
- Unskilled Hospitality: No housekeeping, fast food, or valet parking. (Permitted: High-end Front Desk, Culinary, Management).
- Aviation/Crew: No jobs on ships or aircraft.
Financial Proof
To ensure you can cover your cost of living in the USA, authorities require proof of funds.
You must demonstrate access to at least $1,500 USD per month. This can be covered by your internship salary. If the position is unpaid, the amount must be proven through savings or a financial guarantee.
Legal Details & Family
Future US Plans? (2-Year Rule)
There is often uncertainty about the “Two-Year Home Residency Requirement.” Good news: For participants from most European countries, this rule rarely applies. You can usually continue your international career in the USA later on.
Bringing Your Family (J-2 Status)
Spouses and children (under 21) can accompany you. They receive J-2 status, and children are eligible to attend school in the USA.
