Saltire Scholars USA 2026

A Guide to applying for your J1 VIsa

Congratulations on being chosen as a participant on the Saltire Scholar Programme

Getting your J-1 Visa is the most important thing you are required to do as part of the onboarding process. It is your responsibility to follow each step carefully to ensure you receive the J-1 Visa in time to begin your internship this summer.

If you have questions during the application process you can contact the Saltire team or IST Plus.

Try to get your application in as soon as possible!

Quick Links:

Register/ Required Supporting Documents/ The Process

If you have any questions which are not covered on this website, please contact the Saltire Scholar team via email at saltire.scholars@entrpreneurialscotland.com

Step 1: Register for your Online Application

What Happens Next?

Once you've registered on this page, our team will set you up in the system with a CENET account.

We will then email your login details to you with further instructions

Please make sure you refer back to this page throughout the application process as there are no instructions on the actual application!

If you do not receive your login details within 2 working days (except weekends) please email our team at saltire@istplus.com or get in touch using the online form at the bottom of this page

If you can’t remember the password you registered with, just hit the Forgot Password on the CENET login page - you’ll then be able to reset this!

Important Documents you will need for your application

While most of the application is online, there are various documents you will need to have in order to upload into your CENET application.

It’s a good idea to make sure you have these to hand when completing the online forms, so please try and get these as soon as possible.

Please see below for a list of the items you will need

small close up image of documents

  • CV/ Resume

    You will need to upload a copy of your CV/ Resume into the Documents section of your online application.

    This should be in PDF format.

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    You will also need an image of yourself to upload into your CENET application - this should be a portrait/ passport style image.

    You should have this saved on your computer to upload.

  • Passport ID page

    You will need to upload a copy of the ID page of your passport.
    This should be a clear image, where all the details (including the numbers at the bottom of the page) are readable.
    Please avoid lens flares or excessive reflections!

  • Proof of Student Status Form

    Please ask your university for a letter on headed paper confirming you are a full time student at their institution.
    You will need to upload this into the Documents section of your online application

    The letter should confirm the following details:

    *Your course

    *The date you started your course

    *Your expected course end date

    *Contact details for the department/person completing the letter for you

    This should be in PDF format.

    *Screenshots from student portals are not accepted.

  • Fees Disclosure

    While the Saltire Scholar Programme will be paying the related fees for your application, US Government guidelines still require you to complete this and upload into your online account.

    This will open an online form in a new tab where you can enter your details and sign using your computer, phone or tablet.

    *As you will need to sign this form, it is often easier to open this on a smartphone, table or touchscreen device.

    Once completed, this will create a PDF file of your Fees Disclosure that you can upload into the DOCUMENTS section of your online application.

    Complete your Fee Disclosure here (will open in a new tab)

  • Financial Verification/ Guarantor Letter

    This will be provided to your by the team at Saltire Scholars.

    It shows you will have sufficient funds to support yourself during your time in the USA.

    You will need to upload this into the Documents section of your online application.

  • Other Documents

    Previous US Visas: If you have previously travelled to the USA on a visa programme (not an ESTA), please upload a copy of your previous visa into the Documents section of your application.

    Transcripts: If you have a transcript for your course, you should have a copy ready to upload into your application.

    Host Agreement: We will ensure this is uploaded into your application - you do not need to do this.

    DS-7002 Training Plan: This will be uploaded into your account - you do not need to do this.

    Workers Compensation Page: This is a document provided by your US Host Company. We will ensure this is uploaded into your application so you do not need to do this

Already have a CENET account? Log in here

How it Works

  • Once you’ve registered on this page, we’ll create an online account for you in the CENET system.

  • You will then be able to enter your details and upload your supporting documents

  • We will upload any additional/ other documents (see above)

  • When your application (including the DS-7002 Training Plan from your US Host Company) is complete, we will submit this to the team at CENET

  • They will then review again, and send out the DS-7002 Training Plan for signatures - at this point you will receive an email asking you to sign off on this electronically

  • During this process, you will be asked to complete an online interview. Your CENET representative will send you a link where you can schedule this (via Calendly or similar). The interview will be a video call, normally on Zoom, Google meet etc.
    Once this has been completed, you will need to sign off on a few additional online forms - this is a very simple process and can be done within your online application.

  • CENET will then send you your DS-2019 electronically (along with your SEVIS Receipt).

Once you have your SEVIS ID and DS-2019 Certificate, you can then book your face to face interview at the US Embassy or Consulate.

Embassy Interview

The Process

Once you have emailed our team to confirm you are ready to move forward with the application, we will review your completed application (including the completed online training plan).

As long as all sections are complete, we will then submit to the teams at CENET in the USA.

Below is an outline of the process - each application is assessed individually however, so timelines and processes vary

We strongly recommend allowing a minimum 3/4 weeks for this

Step 1: Application Complete

Once both parts of your application are complete (your part and your online training plan), please email our team at saltire@istplus.com to confirm.

We will then review your application and let you know if anything needs to be revised/ is missing.

Our team will not review or check your application until you have confirmed you have completed this and are ready to move forward with the process.

Step 2: We Submit to CENET

We will submit your application to our colleagues in the USA for the process to start

Step 3: CENET Review

CENET will work with your Host Company to approve your application. You must check your email regularly during this process as this will be how we contact you should we require further information. In some cases, CENET may ask your Host Company to revise your training plan to bring it into line with US Government requirements

Step 4: Approval

Once approval has been granted (this may take up to 3 weeks), your status on your application will change to ACCEPTED. Within 2-3 working days (not including weekends) of this you will be notified via email and you will receive your legal documents electronically (the DS-2019 Certificate and SEVIS Receipt).

You will also receive an email from CENET with specific instructions on how to download this and your SEVIS RECEIPT.

Step 5: Complete your DS-160/ book your Visa Interview

Having completed your DS-160 you can move on to booking your face to face interview at the US Embassy. Please note you will need your legal documents in hard copy order to attend this.

*Please bear this in mind when booking your interview date*

Embassy Interviews

Step 6: Attend you face to face visa interview

At your face to face interview at your local Embassy or Consulate, you will be required to answer some questions about your training plan, your plans for when you return home and other details.

You will also be required to provide biometric data (fingerprints).

Step 7: After the interview

When your passport and visa are returned to you by the US Embassy, you are free to book your flights and travel to the US on or after the date listed as Program Start Date on your Documents and online Training Plan

  • Make sure you have the right paperwork before you get on the plane!

    What to take with you on the plane (these items MUST be in your hand luggage and with you at ALL times)

    • Your Passport

    • Your DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility

  • Once you have arrived in the USA, it is VITAL you register in SEVIS.

    You must do this within 10 days of arrival.

    Registration is a legal requirement and failure to do so will result in cancellation of your programme. If your programme is cancelled you will need to leave the US immediately.

    Once you have arrived in the United States (not before!), log into your online account at https://login.cenet.org/ and follow the instructions

  • Even unpaid interns should apply for a Social Security Number.

    It is legal for you to begin your program before a Social Security number has been issued, but you must have a receipt of application; this shows that you have applied.

    To apply, visit the nearest Social Security office 5 business days after you register for SEVIS. Bring the following documents with you:

    DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility

    Passport and J1 visa

  • Participants are responsible for completing a monthly monitoring check-in.

    Cenet will send participants an email when it is time for them to complete a monitoring request.

    They will then:
    1: Login at https://login.cenet.org
    2: Click “Check-In” and answer the brief survey form.

    Cenet will send up to 3 reminders, as appropriate. Failure to respond to the required monthly check-in may result in program dismissal.

Arrived?

Don’t forget to register in SEVIS

Once you have arrived in the USA, Just log into your CENET account and follow the prompts

If you have any questions or would like help with the application process, please use the contact form below or email our team - saltire@istplus.com

Need Help?

Get in touch - Saltire Scholars

IST Plus
Camberwell Business Centre
99-103 Lomond Grove
London
SE5 7HN

saltire@istplus.com