Apply as a company hosting a J-1 Intern or Trainee

Host Agreement

In order for the Belgian-American Chamber of Commerce in the United States to sponsor a trainee/Intern to participate in your program, you must agree to accept the responsibilities and obligations outlined below.

1. I agree to act in accordance with all United States Department of State ("DOS") regulations relating to Exchange Visitor Programs.
2. I affirm that the Company Questionnaire and Statement accurately reflects the content of the training/internship and experience being extended to the trainee/intern.
3. I agree to provide all trainees/interns with a comprehensive orientation program which will include giving them a packet containing office rules, a training/internship program plan, emergency information, and other information as required by DOS regulations. In addition, I will suggest to all trainees/interns specific neighborhoods and places of interest to visit and cultural events to attend.
4. I will be responsible for ensuring that my employees possess and maintain the demonstrable competence to provide training/internship in the subjects offered to each exchange visitor, and I hereby affirm that the training/internship plan truly reflects the content of the training experience being extended to the trainee.
5. I certify that there are sufficient plant, equipment and trained personnel to provide the training/internship specified in the training plan, that the training/internship is not designed to recruit and train aliens for employment in the U.S., and that the trainees/interns will not replace full-time U.S. employees.
6. I will organize at least two cross-cultural events per month for all trainees/interns to participate in.
7. I understand that all trainees/interns must be covered by health and accident insurance, as specified in the Federal Regulations, during their entire length of stay. If the trainee/intern and I choose to meet this requirement through a training/internship entity insurance plan, I understand that is my responsibility to maintain this coverage continuously during the trainee/intern’s presence in the United States on the J-1 Visa.
8. I will neither encourage nor render any assistance, including helping a trainee/intern change visa categories, which would keep a trainee/intern in the United States beyond the end date shown on the DS-2019, the document governing the trainee/intern’s admission and stay in the United States. I also understand that, for trainees, eighteen (18) months is the maximum time allowed for training while for intern the maximum time for training is twelve (12) months.
9. I agree to submit all changes affecting the trainee/intern to BelCham in advance for approval. Such changes include, but are not limited to, location, content, and length of training/internship. I agree to communicate immediately by phone and then by signed letter any circumstances which differ from the Company Questionnaire and Statement submitted to the BelCham I will submit all requests regarding a transfer of the trainee/intern to another training/internship location during the program three (3) to four (4) weeks prior to the date of transfer.
10. I understand that the BelCham will inspect my training/internship facilities, equipment, and physical plant and conduct interviews with the trainees/interns and the supervisors. I also understand that if BelCham finds that I have failed to fulfill any obligation, it will recommend program changes to the supervisor in order to rectify the problem. I agree that BelCham may disqualify me from participation in the program if I materially or consistently fail to achieve BelCham’s training/internship objectives.
11. I agree to respond to any requests by BelCham concerning my company’s trainees/interns in a timely manner and complete and follow through on any paperwork required by BelCham.
12. I understand that BelCham has the right to withdraw sponsorship from any trainee/intern, whose training/internship entity does not comply with BelCham’s program, compelling that trainee/intern to leave the country, and to deny all future applications from that training/internship entity. There will be no refund of the program fee if sponsorship is withdrawn.
13. If a trainee/intern ceases his or her training/internship program for any reason, I will inform BelCham within three (3) days.