J-1 Internships and Traineeships
BelCham is officially authorized by the U.S. Department of State to act as a sponsor for the J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program. BelCham welcomes applicants of all nationalities for Internships and Traineeships in the fields of Arts & Culture; Management, Business, Commerce, & Finance; as well as Engineering, Architecture, Mathematics, & Industrial Occupations.
Internships are designed for students and recent graduates wishing to stay up to 12 months in the USA. Traineeships are for more experienced candidates wishing to stay up to 18 months in the USA. Host Companies must already be or become a BelCham Business Member to host an Intern or Trainee.
Internships are an excellent way for students and those who graduated less than 1 year ago to experience first hand the American professional work environment and culture. Internships are an invaluable resume addition and increase one’s chances of a smooth transition into a professional career later in life
Application Requirements: INTERNS
- You must be at least 18 years old
- Your English level has to be proficient
- Your Internship has to match your course of study
- You are currently enrolled in and pursuing studies at a foreign degree or certificate-granting post-secondary academic institution outside the United States -OR-
- You have graduated from such an institution no more than 12 months prior to your exchange visitor program start date
Application Process
- Apply for BelCham Young Individual membership
- Work with BelCham to secure a host company
- Collect the necessary documents
- If not already, your Host Company becomes a BelCham member
- Fill out the Application form and have your Host Company submit Internship Training Plan. Visa pre-authorization processing time is 3 weeks once we’ve received all documents.
- Arrange Embassy visa interview and prepare to make your dreams reality!
Pricing
-
- BelCham Young Individual Membership: USD $50.00/year
- 1-6 Months Internship: USD $950.00* -OR-
- 6-12 Months Internship: USD $1350.00*
- Extension or Changing Host Company: USD $150.00*
- *Applicants directly pay additional U.S. Department of State fees
More questions?
- Read our FAQs
- Download our Exchange Visitor Program one-pager
Ready to Start?
Traineeships are up to 18-month long professional training experiences that familiarize young professionals with American business culture. They provide the perfect opportunity to hone skills and adopt US methodologies.
Application Requirements: TRAINEES
- You have to be at least 18 years old
- Your English has to be proficient
- You have a degree or professional certificate from a foreign post-secondary academic institution and at least one year of prior related work experience in your occupational field outside the United States; -OR-
- You have five years of work experience outside the United States in the occupational field in which you are seeking training
Application Process
- Apply for BelCham Young Individual membership
- Work with BelCham to secure a host company
- Collect the necessary documents
- If not already, your Host Company becomes a member of BelCham
- Fill out the Application form while your Host Company submits a Training Plan. Visa pre-authorization processing time is 3 weeks to arrange once we’ve received all documents
- Arrange Embassy visa interview and prepare to make your dreams reality!
Pricing
- BelCham Young Individual Membership: USD $50.00/year
- 1-6 Months Traineeship: USD $950.00* -OR-
- 6-12 Months Traineeship: USD $1350.00* -OR-
- 12-18 Months Traineeship: USD $1850.00*
- Extension or Changing Host Company: USD $150.00*
- *Applicants directly pay additional U.S. Department of State fees
More questions?
- Read our FAQs
- Download our Exchange Visitor Program one-pager
Ready to Start?
There are many advantages to hosting an international Intern or Trainee at your company, ranging from financial benefits, to strengthening international ties, cultural exchange and enrichment. You will also be actively shaping the future, and that’s a very big reward in and of itself. BelCham guides your company through the entire application process and takes care of all the paperwork.
Host Company Eligibility
- Company has existed as an American entity for at least 2 years
- Company employs at least 2 full-time employees that are American citizens or green card holders
- Company has sufficient means to supervise & train the Intern/Trainee
Host Company Application
- 1. Company joins BelCham as a Business Member
- 2. Company supervisor fills out the Host Company Application
- 3. Submit a proof of company Workers Compensation Insurance and Internship Training Plan
Ready to Start?
Apply for a visa
If you have found a host company, then you can apply for the Exchange Visitor Program below. Please use Edge or Safari as your browser for best results.
Apply as a host company
Host company with a pre-approved applicant? Submit your documents!
Submit your arrival report
Have you arrived in the United States? Submit your arrival report!
Meet our participants
“I’m very grateful that I’ve collaborated with BelCham for this J1 traineeship. The J1 traineeship has been a very positive experience both for myself and other people such as the host company, the stakeholders I/we engaged with and the overall cultural experience.”
Alexandre Prignon, Traineeship at The Vault
“I can only be positive and grateful for the experience here in NY. Thank you Belcham for all the help and guidance throughout the whole process and for making my dream happen. Thankful as well for the the Belcham events during my stay here in NY. It’s always a nice experience and lovely to meet new people.”
Marie Lootens, Intern at D’Apostrophe Design
J-1 in numbers
+170
interns and trainees
98%
success rate for eligible applicants
3
weeks turnaround on average
0
time to lose