Happy Holidays!

We here at Global Current would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Please note that we will be closed from Thursday, December 24th through Sunday, January 2nd. We will reopen on Monday, January 3rd.

Have an inquiry? We will do our best to respond to any urgent e-mails during the break.

Jon Adler
Global Current
Program Manager

Cuts in Federal Funding for Exchange Visitor Programs?

Incoming chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-FL), indicated in a statement released today that Department of State and foreign aid programs “will be under the knife” when she takes the helm in 2011, CQ.com reports.

“As chairman of this committee, I will work to restore fiscal discipline to foreign affairs, reform troubled programs and organizations, exercise vigorous oversight to identify waste, fraud, and abuse, and counter the threats posed to our nation by rogue states and violent extremists,” Ros-Lehtinen said.

Ros-Lehtinen indicated she was prepared to “propose a number of cuts to the State Department and foreign aid budgets,” which she said have “much fat” in them. CQ’s coverage of Ros-Lehtinen’s statement did not indicate any specific programs targeted for cuts.

Could this mean that funding for exchange visitor programs may be slashed as well? Thoughts? Comments?

Happy Thanksgiving!

Please note that Global Current will be closed on both Thursday, November 25th and Friday, November 26th in observance of Thanksgiving.

We wish everyone a safe and happy Thanksgiving! Save us some leftovers :)

Global Current

Record Number of International Students

This past week the Institute of International Education (IIE)released their important "Open Doors 2010" report. The 2010 report revealed that a record high number of 690,923 international students studied in the United States during the 2009/2010 academic year, a 3 per cent increase over the previous year.

We at Global Current have also seen a steady increase in the number of international exchange visitors on J-1 visa trainee and intern programs. The biggest growth we have seen is from emerging economies such as China and India.

Both of these figures reflect a continued global recognition that both the U.S. educational system and business community remain amongst the best in the world.

U.S.Department of State Launches Social Networking Site

The U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs recently launched its own ambitious social networking portal for exchange program alumni, ExchangesConnect. All users are now able to browse groups, discussions, photos, videos, and more!

Check it out if you have some free time. It is a great resource for recent, current, and potential exchange visitors coming to the U.S......
http://connect.state.gov/

GC will be closed on Thursday, November 11th

Global Current will be closed this upcoming Thursday, November 11th in observance of National Veterans Day. We will reopen on Friday, November 12th.

45 Countries and Counting.....

As of November 1st this year, Global Current has sponsored foreign nationals from 45 countries! We are quite excited by this number as it demonstrates the truly global reach our organization has reached in our attempts to increase international understanding between the U.S. and international community.

What professional categories does GC not sponsor programs in?

Every J-1 visa sponsorship organization is allowed to sponsor programs in certain professional areas and each has limits on what they can and cannot sponsor according to U.S. Department of State program regulations. Global Current is no exception.

Thankfully, Global Current has permission to sponsor programs in most professional categories with the notable exception of those in the hospitality and medical sectors.....If you have a question on whether or not our organization can sponsor your program please feel free to contact us!

J-1 Visa Sponsorship for Trainees and Interns - 48 HR Processing!

While many other J-1 visa sponsors have used their entire 2010 DS-2019 allotments, Global Current still has a significant supply of remaining forms available to sponsor eligible J-1 Trainee or Intern programs.

If you have already secured a trainee opportunity or internship in the U.S. and seek J-1 visa sponsorship, we would love to hear from you. We process all applications received within 48-hrs! For more information please contact me at:
jona@globalcurrentexchanges.org

Contrary to popular belief.....

The vast majority of J-1 sponsors can sponsor foreign nationals from just about every country in the world assuming the host company, participant, and training plan prove eligible.

Exchange Visitor J-1 Visas

For everything you ever wanted to know about J-1 visas, check out the U.S. State Department's Exchange Visitor portal:
http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1267.html#1

While Global Current may not be designated to sponsor programs in every occupational category, other sponsors may be able to assist you where we are unable to.

If you would like assistance in determining where your proposed program may best fit feel free to e-mail me at jona@aiesecus.org

Internships!

Are you a currently enrolled international university student or recent graduate that has secured an internship in the U.S. this summer?

As you may have already learned, obtaining a visa to come to the U.S. can be a confusing process. We here at Global Current may be able to assist you. We are a J-1 visa sponsor designated by the U.S. Dept. of State to sponsor intern (and trainee) programs in a variety of different occupational fields.

We welcome any inquiries regarding our services and will do our best to steer you in the right direction!

*Please note that we do not place individuals and can only assist those who have already been offered internships by reputable employers.

Global Current has sponsored foreign nationals from over 40 countries in 2010 thus far!

Why Choose a J-1 Trainee or Intern Visa?

The J-1 visa can be a great option for your company to quickly and efficiently bring in participants for your international training or internship programs. J-1 visas are flexible, timely, and fast. There are no age restrictions and there is no lengthy petitioning process prior to applying for a visa. From start to finish it is possible to complete the entire process within 2 to 3 weeks...especially when working with an organization such as Global Current. We proudly offer 48-processing for all eligible applications.

If the proposed traineeship or internship is in one of the following categories, Global Current may be able to help sponsor your proposed participant:

Business and Technology
Marketing
Administration/Management
Communications
Commerce
Finance
Information Technology
Engineering
Media
Social Services (Excluding Counseling)
Public Administration
Law
Social Sciences
The Sciences
Library Science
Mathematics
Arts and Culture
Film
Fashion
Graphic Design
Architecture
Education (Excluding Teachers)

Have a question about whether or not your proposed participant fits into one of the above listed categories? Fell free to contact us at any time!

Good Friday - Friday, April 2nd

Global Current will be closed Friday, April 2nd in observance of Good Friday. We will be back open for business on Monday, April 5th.

Summer Internship Rate!

Global Current would like to inform all interested persons that we are once again offering a special Summer Internship Rate for eligible candidates who have already secured internships with host companies in the U.S. Our rate includes Global Current sponsorship for your J-1 intern visa and payment of your SEVIS fee. Mandatory health insurance is not included. This rate only applies for internships. Traineeships are not eligible for this promotion.

*A summer intern is a student that participates in an internship of no more than 4 months during summer vacation from their home university. Upon completion of their internship program, participants return to their foreign university to complete a degree. For more information about this special promotion please contact us.

Jon Adler
Program Manager
Global Current
Phone: (212) 757-3774 x240
E-Mail: jona@globalcurrentexchanges.org

Over 30 Countries and Counting......

Did you know that Global Current has already sponsored professionals from over 30 countries in 2010 !!!

Travel Promotion Act Signed into Law

On March 4th, President Obama signed into law the Travel Promotion Act of 2009. The law will require a $10 fee to be levied on visitors to the United States from 35 European and Asian visa- waiver countries that do not pay $131 for a U.S. visa and are staying fewer than 90 days in the US. The fee will cover a traveler for two years and could produce as much as $100-200 million a year to help fund a corporation to promote the United States as a tourist destination. A further goal of the program is to educate travelers on U.S security procedures.

While this legislation will not affect any participants on J-1 Programs, it will affect those visiting them in the U.S. during their programs, including friends and family. It is expected that this fee will begin to be charged by the end of the year.

Identity Crisis: Is the J-1 Candidate a Trainee or an Intern?

The J-1 trainee and intern programs do have some overlap. There are some people that qualify for both programs. Maybe your J-1 candidate just completed a Master's program and also has a year of experience. How do you decide which program to apply for?

The J-1 trainee and intern programs are very similar but there are a couple factors that should be considered when choosing which to apply for. First of all, intern programs are typically more basic, building right off of a degree. They may also be project based. So, if the program looks more like an internship and the candidate's professional experience consists mostly of internships, then it would probably be best to apply for the intern program. If the program involves high-level training and the candidate has just completed a Master's with several years of work experience, then it would probably be best to apply for the trainee program.

As a sponsor, we will let you know if the program fits better under one program, but if the candidate and program are equally qualified for both, then you may want to consider the desired program length and the likelihood that the candidate will want to repeat the J-1 program. The maximum intern program length is 12 months and the maximum trainee program length is 18 months. You may have planned for a one year program but if for some reason the training is delayed you have the option to extend up to 18 months under the trainee program. If the proposed program is just 3 months long, then the possibility to extend may not be an issue.

In order to repeat the J-1 trainee program, participants must reside outside the U.S. for two years between programs, whereas intern programs can be completed virtually back-to-back as long as the candidate still qualifies. This could be important for candidates currently pursuing a degree (Masters) but that happen to qualify for both the intern and trainee programs. If they do an internship over summer break and then decide to do another internship after graduating, they are able to do this without waiting 2 years.

These guidelines should help you make an informed decision and if you need any advice, Global Current is always available. Contact us for a review!