How To Complete A Training Plan

(Form DS-7002)

Information and guidance for US Host Companies

The training plan (Form DS-7002) is the most important document an intern or trainee will have during their J1 Visa program.
It describes what the intern or trainee will do during their program, what skills they will learn, how cultural exchange will be encouraged, and how their performance will be measured.

As a result, it is essential that the training plan be detailed and complete; it will be reviewed by the sponsor as well as by a U.S. consular officer during an intern’s or trainee’s mandatory visa interview. For this reason, it is crucial that you take the time to carefully consider the training you intend to provide.

Different Sponsors have their own requirements for completing the DS-7002.

Some may require this to be completed as an online form, while others will request the form be completed and submitted as a PDF.

Guidance on this will be provided depending on the sponsor chosen to process an application

How Many Phases Must A Training Plan Have?

*If viewing on a mobile device please rotate your screen to view complete table

  
      Duration of Training
      
      Intern General
      Intern Hospitality
      Trainee General
      Trainee Hospitality
    
      Training Plan Phase Requirements
    
      0-3 months
      
      1+
      1+
      1+
      1+
    
      3-6 months
      1+
      1+
      2-3+
      2+
    
      6-12 months
      1+
      3+
      2-3+
      3+
    
      12-18 months
      N/A
      N/A
      3+
      N/A

Phases Of Training

Training plans should demonstrate a clear progression of skill development. To accommodate this, the DS-7002 allows you to define separate training phases that connect one skill to the next. Shorter programs may require only one phase, while longer programs require more phases.

Even when U.S. Department of State regulations require only one phase (as noted in the chart below), host organizations should consider adding additional phases to enhance the professional development they provide to their interns and/or trainees.

DS-7002 Section Explanations

Below you will find descriptions of each section of the DS-7002. This will assist you in accurately completing the form.

SECTION 1: Participant Information

This section covers basic information such as name, field of study or profession, and desired program dates.

SECTION 2: Site Of Activity Information

This section covers details about the host organization.

Hours per week
Interns and trainees are required to train for at least 32 hours per week.

Employer ID number
Your organization must have an Employer ID number before hosting.

Workers’ compensation
The insurance provider name and policy number must be provided.

Number of full-time staff members
Indicate the number of company-wide staff in the U.S.

Annual revenue
Indicate the company’s annual revenue.

SECTION 3: Contract Agreement

Review the terms, then sign and date where indicated. All fields relating to the sponsor should be left blank; these are for use by Sponsors only.

SECTION 4: DS-7002 Training/Internship Placement Plan

This section is where the host organization supervisor outlines the professional development program, including roles, responsibilities, goals, and what will be learned by the intern or trainee.

If the program includes multiple training phases, the plan should include a completed Section 4 for each phase.

Brief description of the intern’s or trainee’s role
Provide a high-level description of the training.

Specific goals and objectives for this phase
This section should answer what the intern or trainee will learn and accomplish, not what they will do for the company. This is a subtle but important difference. These are high-level goals for the program.

What specific knowledge, skills, or techniques will be learned?
Expand on the above answer by providing detailed descriptions of the specific expertise the intern or trainee will learn during their training.

What plans are in place for the intern or trainee to participate in American cultural activities?
Indicate specific cultural exchange opportunities that will be delivered as part of your intern’s or trainee’s experience. Examples include: conferences/lectures, dinner at a colleague’s home, concerts, company-sponsored events (bowling, golfing, softball, parties, etc.), sporting events, museum visits, BBQs/picnics, cultural festivals, and participation in company clubs/groups.

How, specifically, will the skills, knowledge, or techniques be taught?
Be specific about the development activities in which the intern or trainee will engage. There may be a classroom component or perhaps the intern or trainee will shadow a staff member through various tasks and responsibilities. Be sure that the training you provide is relevant to what the intern or trainee needs to learn, as stated in previous sections.

Methods of supervision. Who will provide daily supervision of the intern or trainee, and what are their qualifications to impart the planned learning during this phase?
Include the name of the supervisor listed in Section 2 along with this person’s title and qualifications. This is about supervision, not about evaluation. You can list where and how often the supervisor and intern or trainee meet, what will be discussed, and how these meetings align with training objectives. You also could list how and when the intern or trainee can reach out to the supervisor.

Methods of performance evaluation. How will the intern or trainee's acquisition of new skills and competencies be measured during this phase?
Describe how you will evaluate the intern’s or trainee’s performance against the goals and objectives stated in the training plan. Please be as specific as possible.