New J-1 Visa Trainee and Intern Regulations

New J-1 Visa Trainee and Intern Regulations and New CDS Procedures

New State Department regulations for the J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa require a stricter vetting and screening process for U.S. host organizations. CDS must now conduct site visits to host organizations that have not previously participated successfully in a CDS training and internship program and that do not meet the threshold of having more than 25 employees OR more than $3 million in annual revenue. Additionally, ALL host organizations will now need to provide a Dun & Bradstreet number, a Tax Identification Number (EIN), as well as proof of a Workman's Compensation Insurance Policy. State Department Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) regulations require that organizations hosting interns or trainees submit completed Training/Internship Placement Plans (Form DS-7002) and third party agreements to CDS International, Inc. for each participant. CDS will not issue visa documents without first receiving a completed Training/Internship Placement Plan, signed by a host organization representative, the participant and CDS as sponsor, as well as a signed Third Party Agreement from the host organization. Host organizations may download the required documents in a PDF format from our website. Not only will this make the completion of the form easier, but it will also speed up the administration process. Directions on how to complete the forms are included in the download. If you have any further questions about filling out the forms, please contact your representative at CDS at (212) 497-3500. Please visit the staff page to locate your contact's email address. Placement Plans for Interns An intern either a) is currently enrolled in a university outside the United States at the start of the internship, or b) graduated no more than 12 months prior to the program start date. Intern Placement Plan/Third Party Agreement PDF Intern Placement Plan/Third Party Agreement Word Document Placement Plans for Trainees A trainee either a) graduated from a foreign university and has at least one year of prior related work experience, or b) has at least five years of related work experience outside the United States Trainee Placement Plan/Third Party Agreement PDF Trainee Placement Plan/Third Party Agreement Word Document