German-American Workforce Development Program

What is a J-1 Visa?

The Exchange Visitor Visa (J-1) is a non-immigrant visa issued for programs designated by the U.S. Department of State that provide people around the world the opportunity to gain professional experience and travel in the United States. The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program enables foreign nationals to receive on-the-job training, teach, study, conduct research, or demonstrate special skills in the U.S. for periods ranging from a few weeks to several years.

The Exchange Visitor Program was developed to expose individuals from around the world to the culture and institutions of the United States and to foster better understanding through educational and cultural exchange. An individual wishing to pursue an internship in the U.S. without a prior valid employment status or an existing work-based visa may apply for a J-1 visa instead. In all cases, a so-called “visa sponsor” is required for this process.

What is the role of Cultural Vistas?

Cultural Vistas Inc. is a non-profit J-1 visa sponsoring organization designated by the U.S. Department of State to facilitate applications for the J-1 visa for students and apprentices from Germany, in order to complete an internship in the United States. This procedure is governed by the Department of State’s Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) and always involves a visa sponsor, whose responsibilities include assessing the eligibility of the student or apprentice, assessing the content of the host company’s training plan, supporting the internship experience, and ensuring compliance with all U.S. government regulations for the duration of the program in the U.S. Applying for a J-1 visa to complete an internship in the United States is not possible without a visa sponsor.

Cultural Vistas Inc. has been granted permission from the U.S. Department of State to sponsor apprentices from Germany (Auszubildende), a group previously not able to apply for a J-1 to complete internships in the United States. This program requires additional evaluation and vetting responsibilities for Cultural Vistas, beyond the typical J-1 visa sponsorship for students at higher education institutions.

Cultural Vistas works both with the apprentice and their host company to ensure that all parties are eligible to participate in the EVP and provides support throughout the duration of the program. Both the apprentice and their host company must submit an application to Cultural Vistas. The host company’s responsibilities also include submitting a training plan for the apprentice.

Who is eligible for the German-American Workforce Development Program?

• Apprentices must be enrolled full-time in highly structured training programs under the German dual system at ministerially recognized post-secondary educational institutions.

• Apprentices should be earning or have earned the equivalent of an associate degree or professional certificate.

• Classroom training must constitute at least 50% of educational training. ”Classroom training” can take place in the school (Berufsschule) and the company providing the apprenticeship under the German dual system.

• Examples of programs eligible for sponsorship include those the following fields: the sciences, engineering, architecture, mathematics, & industrial occupations; public administration & law; management, business, commerce & finance; information media & communication; hospitality & tourism; arts & culture; and education & social sciences.

• Examples of programs ineligible for sponsorship include those following fields: flight training; performing arts; positions involving more than 20% clerical activity; positions of unskilled labor (according to 22 C.F.R. § 62.22, Appendix E); positions involving clinical or medical patient care or contact; positions at pre-schools & daycare centers; positions at economy hotels, fast-food restaurants, bakeries, home offices or retail sites; positions at camps or residential facilities; and positions in the field of construction, carpentry, electric, plumbing or similar in-home installation services or auto body shops.

• Please note: apprentices and host companies located in the U.S. must arrange the details of their internship placement before submitting their application to Cultural Vistas. We cannot provide internship placement services at this time.

Costs

Note: Fees for Cultural Vistas’ visa sponsorship services are as follows and may be paid by the apprentice, the host company, or a third party.

What is the application process like for apprentices?

Apprentices can apply online here. Note: All applicants must use the reference code “Apprentice” when applying. Once the application is submitted, Cultural Vistas will review it for eligibility and contact the host company to begin their own mandatory application process. If deemed eligible for sponsorship, Cultural Vistas will issue the necessary sponsorship documents and guide the parties through the subsequent steps. Please note that Cultural Vistas’ processing time typically takes 4-6 weeks. Applicants should submit their application approximately five months prior to the start date of their internship, in order to have enough time to apply for and receive their visa, and to make necessary travel preparations.

What is the application process like for host companies?

Host companies who have never worked with Cultural Vistas must complete the host company application request form. New host companies will be vetted by Cultural Vistas to determine their eligibility to host and are required to attend a new host company orientation and pay a one-time $300 new host company fee. Representatives will then be granted access to the Cultural Vistas’ application portal where they can submit their proposed training plan to Cultural Vistas.

For additional questions regarding the application process or program eligibility requirements, applicants or host company representatives may contact Christine Stephens-Bez, Business Development Manager, in English at cstephens-bez@culturalvistas.org.