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!

Non-immigrant Visa Application Fees May Increase

The Department of State recently published a proposed rule that would increase Non-immigrant visa application fees from $131 to $140. The proposed increase is due to the fact that the current fee does not cover the costs of visa processing and security enhancements. If this rule goes into effect, all J-1 applicants would have to pay the new fee.

For more information, visit the Department of State's website.

Finding J-1 Internships

If you are eligible for a J-1 intern program and residing outside the United States, a good way to look for internships is online at internship search sites, like Internships.com. Here you can find listings of hundreds of internships in your professional field. Good luck!

Low-Paid J-1 Internships

Due to current economic conditions, companies are turning more and more to unpaid or low paid internships which, “still offer the same advantages: a chance for a worker to gain knowledge and at little or no cost to the employer,”writes Hillary Chura at the New York Times website. Companies that are looking for lower cost options to add capacity on specific projects and develop talent are finding that internships are a great option.

This is good news for potential trainees and interns who may have had some trouble finding opportunities in the past. The new year could bring many more internships in a variety of fields. The fact that intern positions may offer little to no stipend should not be an issue as long as the J-1 candidate has adequate funding throughout the program, whether it be personal or from an outside source like an organization or university.

When evaluating a participant's ability to cover living costs, Global Current considers all personal and outside support, including any benefits that the company will be providing like housing or transportation. Our general rule of thumb is that a participant should have access to at least $2000 USD monthly. This may vary depending on the cost of living of the site of activity.