Hospitality Plus J1

Supercharge your CV with a 12 month placement in the United States

Your passport to a future in international hospitality

A hospitality placement in the USA offers valuable hands-on experience that boosts career prospects in the industry. J1 Interns and J1 Trainees gain exposure to diverse customer service practices, operational standards, and industry trends.

You’ll develop practical skills in event management, food service, and guest relations while working in a multicultural environment that enhances adaptability and communication skills. Connections made during the internship can lead to job opportunities and networking in a dynamic hospitality landscape.

On this page: Register/ Locations/Costs/ The Process/ Cancellation and Refund information

  • Applications are open year-round, enabling candidates to apply at their convenience.

    With the ability to start at any time, applicants can begin their studies to align with their personal and professional goals.

  • Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.

    • J1 Intern applicants must be either:
      Currently enrolled in a full-time university level course

      or

    • within 12 months of finishing their course at the time the internship starts

    • The internship must directly relate to the applicant's field of studies at university.

    • J1 Trainee applicants must have a relevant degree or equivalent professional qualification plus at least 12 months full time work experience in this field

    • If a J1 Trainee applicant does not have a degree or related professional qualification, they must be able to prove at least 5 years full time work experience in this field

    • We are unable to accept applications from anyone with a criminal record - in any country

  • In order to enter the USA on a J1 Visa Programme you must have a passport that is valid for AT LEAST 3 months AFTER the end date of your internship or traineeship.

    Please make sure your passport meets these requirements. If not your application will be subject to delays as your legal paperwork (the DS-2019) can NOT be issued without a passport that meets these criteria.

  • The vast majority of placements are for 12 months at your US Host Company. This is the maximum time allowed by the US Government for both J1 intern and J1 Trainee in hospitality based programmes

Understand the difference between the Programmes

  • J1 Intern

    FULL TIME UNIVERSITY LEVEL STUDENTS OR THOSE STARTING THEIR PROGRAMME IN THE USA WITHIN 12 MONTHS OF GRADUATING

    Your degree or qualification must be reacted to the intended activities at the internship

  • J1 Trainee

    GRADUATES WITH AT LEAST 12 MONTHS FULL TIME WORK EXPERIENCE IN HOSPITALITY

    If you do not have a degree or related professional qualification you will need to be able to prove at least 5 years full time work experience in hospitality

Where are the placements provided?

States where we have opportunities include:
California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

Each of these States offers wonderful hospitality based opportunities and experiences for interns and trainees, with vibrant cities and incredible surroundings

For information on Florida, see visitflorida.com

For more information on Texas, see traveltexas.com

For information on Austin, Texas (one of the best places in the world we think!) see austintexas.org/

Made with ultimaps.com

Note from the team: Even if you choose not to apply for one of the positions we provide, we strongly recommend you try and visit both Texas and Florida.
Both have so many hidden (and not so hidden) gems, and we definitely advise travelling outside of the regular tourist hotspots to get a real feel for these incredible US States!

How much does it Cost - and what’s included?

PROGRAMME FEES: £2400 (ALL FEES IN UK POUNDS)

INCLUDED IN PROGRAMME FEES:

Pre- application vetting and resume/ CV advice

12 month placement

Medical Insurance for the duration of the internship

24/7 support from our US partners for the duration of your programme

NOT INCLUDED IN PROGRAMME FEES:

SEVIS FEE (currently $220) - payable to the US Government once your application has been approved and you are ready to book your face to face visa interview at the US Embassy

US Embassy Interview Fee/ MRV fee (currently $185) - payable direct to your local embassy at the time of booking your face to face interview

The Process

Once you have registered your interest on this page, our team will review your CV/ resume and check your eligiblity for the programme.

  • We will then contact you via email to confirm any details and preferences you may have

  • Once these have been confirmed, they will (wherever possible) source a suitable internship for you in one of the locations we have available in the USA.

  • You will then be offered the opportunity to review these opportunities.

  • When you have confirmed at least one position you would like to interview for, we will require payment of a £400 deposit - see below for Fees information

  • We will then schedule an interview between you and the Host Company supervisor in the USA (this will normally be via Zoom/ Microsoft Teams etc.)

  • If you are then offered and accept the internship/ traineeship in the USA, we will then ask you to complete the online application for for visa sponsorship

  • Once you have completed this application (this is a relatively simple process), we will ask you for the remainder of your programme fees

  • Upon receipt of payment, our US partners will process your application. As part of this you will be required to complete an online orientation.

  • Your US host supervisor and you will receive requests to sign off on your online training plan (this will be via Adobe Sign or Docusign).

  • Once both signatures have been received, you will receive your SEVIS ID via email. With your SEVIS ID you can move forward with booking your face to face interview at your local US Embassy. At this point you will need to pay your US Government SEVIS Fee and the local Embassy MRV fee

Q: Why do we require a deposit on order for you to secure an interview with a US Host Company?

A: A significant amount of time and work on both sides of the Atlantic goes into securing potential placements. This also requires time and effort on the part of your US Host Company. A deposit ensures only serious applicants are put forward for interviews.

Q: Do I get my deposit back if I don’t secure a placement?

A: If we are unable to secure and interview OR you are not successful in securing a placement at your interview, we will refund your deposit minus a £50 administration Fee
If you reject your first offer, there is no additional penalty above the £50 administration fee.
If you reject a second placement offer, there will be a £250 charge.
If you reject a third placement offer, there will be no refund of the initial deposit

Cancellation and Refund Policy

There is a sliding scale of non-refundable charges based on the time you cancel your application and how far along in the process you are.

Please read these carefully to avoid confusion at a later date.

In order to secure an inteview we will require a £400 GBP deposit.
If you are unsuccessful at your interview we will refund this minus £50

If you reject your first offer, there is no additional penalty above the £50 administration fee.
If you reject a second placement offer, there will be a £250 charge.
If you reject a third placement offer, there will be no refund of the initial deposit

Once you have accepted an application, you will be required to complete an online application form to apply for the Visa Sponsorship. When you have completed this, we will request the remainder of your programme fees.
Upon receipt of payment, we will submit your compelted application for processing

After placement accepted and completed application submitted to the Legal Sponsors but before legal documentation (the DS-2019 Certificate) has been approved and generated: We will refund your programme fees minus £500

After application approved and legal documentation (DS-2019 Certificate) generated: We will refund 50% of your programme fees

Cancellation after approval of visa at the US Embassy: No refund

Cancellation after listed Program Start date (as indicated in your online training plan): No refund

Cancellation or withdrawal from the programme for any reason after your arrival in the United States: No refund

If your visa is denied at the US Embassy: We will refund your programme fees minus £500