J1 Trainee :
Career Advancement in the USA

A J1 Visa/ BridgeUSA Programme

About Career Training USA

The J1 Trainee visa programme allows you up to 18 months at a U.S. company*
Not only will you gain real-world skills that will serve you throughout your career, but you will also get valuable firsthand insight into American culture and business practices.

*Traineeships in hospitality related areas are limited to a maximum 12 months

Along the way, you will share ideas with colleagues, make important new business connections, and build lifelong friendships.

Apply Now
Costs

  • Applications are open year-round, enabling candidates to apply at their convenience. With the ability to start at any time, students can begin their studies to align with their personal and professional goals.

  • Applicants must:

    • Have a degree or equivalent professional qualification in a related field to the traineeship - this must be from a university or college outside the USA (US Degrees do not count toward the eligibility criteria)

    • In addition to the degree or qualification, have at least 12 months full time work experience in this field

    • In the absence of a degree or related professional qualification, applicants must be able to show at least 5 years full time work experience in a field related to the traineeship

    Please note we are unable to accept applications from anyone who has a criminal record.

  • The Fees depend on the amount of time you plan on being in the USA - you can see full details on our Costs page

  • We have a separate programme for applicants looking to secure a placement. This is called Placement Plus and details can be found here

  • Your Host Organisation (US employer) must provide structured and practical training while abiding by some key program regulations.

    • J1 Participants are NOT allowed to work in a Home based office (i.e. a residential location).

    • The Host Organisation should ensure that the DS-7002 Training Plan is followed for the duration of the programme.

    • There must be a match between your educational/ career background and the traineeship.

    • Upon completion of the programme, you should plan to return to your home country.

    • The programme is not intended to help organisations fill staffing needs.

    • The training plan should reflect an understanding of what you will be learning, not only the needs of the business.

    • Your US Host Organisation must have Workers Compensation (or equivalent) insurance that will cover you for the time you are with their organisation (exceptions apply - please contact us for details)

    • Any unskilled or clerical activity must be kept to a maximum of 20% of the entire training period.

  • Even if you are planning on undertaking a short term unpaid Trainee experience in the USA you will need to apply for the J1 Trainee Programme.

    Under no circumstances are you allowed to use a Visa Waiver or tourist visa with the intention of undertaking any form of work placement - even unpaid.

  • 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.

We are unable to offer sponsorship in the following areas:

  • Certain limited service/economy hotel properties

  • Most home offices

  • Programs in aviation/construction/building (where training is completed in those fields)

  • Fast food franchises

  • Single-location retailers or restaurants - unless 5* dining or equivalent

  • Spas

  • Gyms

How does it work/ The Process

Once you have secured your US Host Company, you will need to start your application.

Most of it is online, but you will need to upload certain documents to your application in order for us to be able to move forward.

We have comprehensive instructions on the process on our Apply Now page.

We strongly recommend applying at least 6 weeks before your intended departure date - potentially more in the busy months leading up to the summer.

Embassies can get extremely busy and wait times for interviews are much longer in these periods.

Apply Now
Person wearing a mustard-colored sweater typing on a laptop at a wooden desk near a window.

Steps to getting your J1 Visa

  • Step 1 - Secure your Traineeship at a US Host Company/ Organisation

    Once you’ve secured your traineeship in the USA, you’re ready to move forward with the process of applying for your J1 Visa sponsorship

    Go to our Apply Now Page

  • Step 2 - Register for your online account

    Complete the registration form on our Apply Now page - we’ll get you set up in the system within 2 working days.

    Go to our Apply Now Page

  • Step 3 - Receive your details/ log in and start your application

    You’ll also need to invite your US Supervisor to start the training plan - full instructions on each part of the process are on our Apply Now Page

    Go to our Apply Now page

  • Step 4 - Application and Training Plan complete

    Once both your part of the application and your online Training Plan are complete, you’ll need to email our team with your PROGRAM DATES - information on these is on our Apply Now Page

    Go to our Apply Now Page

  • Step 5 - Payment and Submission

    Our team will review your completed application and send you a payment request for your Programme Fees.
    When these have been paid we will submit the completed application to the teams in the USA for processing

    See Costs

  • Step 6 - Processing

    The teams in the US will review your application and training plan. In some cases, they will request revisions to the plan from your US Hosts and/ or request further information from you.

    Apply Now

  • Step 7 - Approval

    When your application is approved, you will be able to download your DS-2019 certificate and start the process of booking your interview at the US Embassy or Consulate

    US Embassy Interviews

Looking for a placement in the USA?

Check out our Placement Plus Programme.

Placement Plus

Expand Your Horizons