The J1 Visa

The Immigration and Nationality Act provides the "J" visa for educational and cultural exchange programs designated by the U.S. Department of State, Exchange Visitor Program and Designation Staff. The primary objectives of training are to enhance the exchange visitor's skills in his or her specialty or non-specialty occupation through participation in a structured training program and to improve the participant's knowledge of American techniques, methodologies, or expertise within the individual's field of endeavor. Such training programs are also designed to enable the exchange visitor trainee to better understand America�s culture and society.  Training is also to enhance American knowledge of foreign cultures and skills by providing the opportunity for an open interchange of ideas between the exchange visitor trainees and their American counterparts.  Use of the Exchange Visitor Program for ordinary employment or work purposes is strictly prohibited.  For this reason the regulations in this section are designed to distinguish between receiving training, which is permitted, and working, which is not permitted unless as a component of a bona fide training program.

When preparing for your interview, have a good understanding of the J1 Visa.  Know the AHA training Program.  Become very familiar with the Training Agreement and Training Plan.  Know the AHA website.

  You must be familiar with the three components of the program:

�      Practical Training - The purpose of the practical training component is to develop the trainee�s skill and knowledge within departments of his/her chose division (i.e. Food and Beverage Division) of a Hotel.  This includes introduction to supervisory skills over the course of the training program.  Through practical training within the key departments and exposure to introductory supervisory/managerial skills, the trainee will gain first hand knowledge of the role of each department and the responsibilities of team members in each position.  In addition, trainees will be exposed to management techniques and policies utilized in the United States and be able to draw comparisons of the advantages and disadvantages relative to the methods they are already familiar with from their country.

�      Cultural Exchange - The hospitality industry presents an ideal forum for international understanding as it breaks down cultural barriers by hosting different cultures in an environment that promotes peace and friendship.  Trainees will be training side by side with trainees from around the world as well as learning American techniques and methodologies. 

During the Cultural Exchange Phase of training, each trainee is required to participate and implement the following cultural exchange events:

o        Daily cultural exchange

o        Cultural Spotlight

o        Service Learning project or event

�      Education  - In cooperation with the AH&LA, industry experts and university partners around the world, the AHA has created the 1^st global internship manual and workbook.  SERVLEAD has been designed to guide interns in their professional development and strengthening of their cultural awareness skills throughout their internship. The Cultural Awareness and Professional Development chapters will provide you with exercises to practice during your internship to maximize your experience and learn what it takes to be a leader in a multicultural workplace. In addition to completing the workshops and exercises throughout the manual, you will be required to complete the SERVLEAD competencies located at the end of each chapter.

Throughout the educational phase of training, it is the goal to develop hospitality leaders of tomorrow who have a positive attitude, demonstrate strong work values, lead by example, encourage tolerance, celebrate diversity and promote peace around the world. To accomplish this goal, AHA provides students with weekly Professional Development and Cultural Awareness utilizing the SERVLEAD Internship Manual.

Points to Remember When Applying for a Non-immigrant Visa

TIES TO YOUR HOME COUNTRY. Under U.S. law, all applicants for non-immigrant visas, such as student visas, are viewed as intending immigrants until they can convince the consular officer that they are not. You must therefore be able to show that you have reasons for returning to your home country that are stronger than those for remaining in the United States. "Ties" to your home country are the things that bind you to your home town, homeland, or current place of residence: job, family, financial prospects that you own or will inherit, investments, etc. If you are a prospective undergraduate, the interviewing officer may ask about your specific intentions or promise of future employment, family or other relationships, educational objectives, grades, long-range plans and career prospects in your home country. Each person's situation is different, of course, and there is no magic explanation or single document, certificate, or letter which can guarantee visa issuance. If you have applied for the U.S. Green Card Lottery, you may be asked if you are intending to immigrate. A simple answer would be that you applied for the lottery since it was available but not with a specific intent to immigrate. If you overstayed your authorized stay in the U.S. previously, be prepared to explain what happened clearly and concisely, with documentation if available.

ENGLISH. Anticipate that the interview will be conducted in English and not in your native language. One suggestion is to practice English conversation with a native speaker before the interview, but do NOT prepare speeches!

KNOW THE VISA PROGRAM AND HOW IT FITS YOUR CAREER PLANS. If you are not able to articulate the reasons you will participate in a particular program in the United States, you may not succeed in convincing the Consular Officer that you are indeed planning to enter the United States for the right reason, rather than to immigrate. You should also be able to explain how the training plan in the U.S. relates to your future professional career when you return home.

BE BRIEF. Because of the volume of applications received, all Consular Officers are under considerable time pressure to conduct a quick and efficient interview. They must make a decision, for the most part, on the impressions they form during the first minute of the interview. Consequently, what you say first and the initial impression you create are critical to your success. Keep your answers to the officer's questions short and to the point.

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION. It should be immediately clear to the consular officer what written documents you are presenting and what they signify. Lengthy written explanations cannot be quickly read or evaluated. Remember that you will have 2-3 minutes of interview time, if you're lucky.

MAINTAIN A POSITIVE ATTITUDE. Do not engage the consular officer in an argument. If you are denied a visa, ask the officer for a list of documents he or she would suggest you bring in order to overcome the refusal, and try to get the reason you were denied in writing. 

Two-Year Foreign Residency Requirement

An exchange visitor is subject to INA 212(e) requirement, if the following conditions exist:

• The program in which the exchange visitor was participating was financed in whole or in part directly or indirectly by the United States government or the government of the exchange visitor's nationality or last residence;
• The exchange visitor is a national or resident of a country designated as requiring the services of persons engaged in the field of specialized knowledge or skills in which the exchange visitor was engaged for the duration of their program (Exchange Visitor Skills List 9 FAM 41.62, Exhibit II);
• The exchange visitor entered the United States to receive graduate medical education or training.

If the exchange visitor is subject to INA 212(e) requirement, he or she cannot change his or status to that of H, L, K, or immigrant lawful permanent resident (LPR) until he or she has returned to his/her home country for at least two-years or received a waiver of that requirement. Such waivers can be obtained under five separate basis: No Objection Statement, Exceptional Hardship or Persecution, Conrad Program, or Interested Government Agency. For information, see Waiver of the J Visa Two-Year Foreign Residence Requirement 212(e).