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J-1 Internship and Trainee Programs

International Adventures J-1 programs allow qualified students and young adults the opportunity to participate in structured internship or training programs with some of the most prestigious hospitality brands in the USA.

The J-1 Internship and J-1 Trainee Programs are Exchange Visitor Programs approved by the Department of State. They allow qualified candidates to legally come to the USA to participate in structured Internship or Training Programs related to their course of study or professional work experience. J-1 Interns / Trainees must be paid at least Federal Minimum Wage or the same rate of pay as a US worker engaging in the same type of internship or training program. J-1 Interns and Trainees must train for at least 32-40 hours eafch week throughout their program. J-1 Interns and Trainees may be able to return for a future training program with your property as long as they meet the J-1 requirements and are engaging in more advanced training, or learning new skills.'

Length of Program

The J-1 Internship Program lasts for a maximum of 12 months. Shorter programs of 4 or 6 months can also be arranged, however a 12 month program is the norm. 

The J-1 Trainee Program lasts for a maximum of 12 months for hospitality programs. J-1 Trainee programs focusing on Management Development are allowed up to a maximum of 18 months. 

Once they have completed their Internship or Trainee program J-1 Participants are allowed 30 days to travel around the USA before returning home.

Type of Training

J-1 Interns and Trainees must participate in structured training programs that allow them to experience different functional areas within a department or across the property. They can engage in on-the-job training as a way of gaining experience, however J-1 Interns and Trainees cannot be used to fill an open position or just to work in one job for the duration of their program. During the course of a 12 month Internship or Trainee program participants are usually exposed to 3 or 4 different aspects of the business and will rotate every 3-4 months. 

J-1 Interns and Trainees have participated in the following structured training programs:

An example of a Front Office Operations program may involve exposure to the Front Desk, Concierge, Reservation and Bell Services departments during the course of a 12 month program.

Program Dates

J-1 Interns and Trainees can begin their programs at any time of year as required by the employer. Some J-1 Interns may have to complete their Internship Program during a specific period in order to get academic credit, or to return to school to complete their studies.

Employer Benefits

*Accommodation support is not available in all areas of the USA.

Process and Timelines

The J-1 Internship and Trainee application process involves the following steps:

  1. International Adventures works with employer to identify the number of training positions required and length of programs
  2. International Adventures promotes positions overseas to hospitality schools and our network of affiliates. International Adventures interviews and pre-screens qualified candidates for employers.
  3. Employers review resumes of pre-screened candidates and conducts interviews and makes hiring decisions.
  4. Employer extends offers of Internship / Training to selected candidates through International Adventures.
  5. International Adventures assists candidates with their J-1 Visa application.
  6. International Adventures works with the employer and the designated J-1 sponsoring organization to generate the Training / Internship Placement Plan (form DS-7002). Once complete, International Adventures works with the sponsor organization to issue the DS-2019 form to the participant.
  7. Student uses the DS-2019 and DS-7002 forms to apply for their J-1 Intern / Trainee visa at their local US Embassy. If approved the students can travel to the USA. 
  8. International Adventures coordinates the arrival of the participant with the employer. The participant travels to the USA and begins their training program with the employer.

Due to the length of the application process, requests for J-1 Interns and Trainees must be submitted to International Adventures at least 4 months prior to the start of the training program.