Obtaining a J-1 visa/internship visa
#1
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Joined: Sep 2009
Location: London
Posts: 17
Obtaining a J-1 visa/internship visa
Hi, I am currently looking for ways to obtain a J-1 student work visa...
Could anyone recommend any sponsors in particular?
Also... has anyone used interexchange before?
http://www.interexchange.org
Thank you!
Could anyone recommend any sponsors in particular?
Also... has anyone used interexchange before?
http://www.interexchange.org
Thank you!
#2
Re: Obtaining a J-1 visa/internship visa
http://www.bunac.org/
BUNAC are the main organization for taking care of this kind of thing.
Personally I wouldn't go with anyone else. They generally do a very good job. Plus they are non-profit, so costs are reasonable.
BUNAC are the main organization for taking care of this kind of thing.
Personally I wouldn't go with anyone else. They generally do a very good job. Plus they are non-profit, so costs are reasonable.
#3
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Joined: Sep 2009
Location: London
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Re: Obtaining a J-1 visa/internship visa
I am currently in the states on the summer Work America program which is run by BUNAC, and would love to use them again. I wasn't aware that they ran a 12 month J-1 though? Do they?
#4
Re: Obtaining a J-1 visa/internship visa
Yes, I think so, however if I understand it correctly it is for degree-related training/internships. Give them a call to see what they can do.
#5
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Re: Obtaining a J-1 visa/internship visa
Thank you very much! I have just sent them an email explaining. Well I actually have been hired by a photography company here... and my BA is in Photography. I am hoping that it might be easier to arrange than the H2B. : )
#6
Re: Obtaining a J-1 visa/internship visa
Yes, particularly since H2 is for seasonal work, which I'm not sure you would qualify for.
Whatever you do, I expect you will have to go home to figure it out. Your J1-time is likely up in a week. Don't overstay, whatever you do.
Whatever you do, I expect you will have to go home to figure it out. Your J1-time is likely up in a week. Don't overstay, whatever you do.
#7
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Joined: Sep 2009
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Re: Obtaining a J-1 visa/internship visa
Yes... My family want me home so there is no chance of that lol. I fly home in about a week. I really hope that I can sort it out with BUNAC, i'll call as you suggested first thing tomorrow.
If BUNAC can't provide this, are there any other legitimate sponsors out there. I read a little into interexchange, and from what I can gather it seems a lot like BUNAC?
Thanks again! You really know your stuff!
If BUNAC can't provide this, are there any other legitimate sponsors out there. I read a little into interexchange, and from what I can gather it seems a lot like BUNAC?
Thanks again! You really know your stuff!
#8
Re: Obtaining a J-1 visa/internship visa
I've not heard of interexchange - I will look into that.
However BUNAC have been at this game for a long time. They have the support network in place and ( I believe) a solid reputation.
Also, I see two problems. Firstly, you need to get on this program sharpish, as my understanding is it is for those who have recently graduated. If BUNAC have given out all of their quota for this year, it's possible you'll have to wait for the next round, by which time you may no longer qualify.
Secondly, your J1 visa may have conditions, such as that you MUST move home after a year. Since from your personal page it seems you want to be with your BF, I would look into this. You may not be able to bounce to another visa straight away when the J1 is up.
Which will lead most posters on this board to suggest the obvious.......marriage.
BUNAC will be able to answer these two questions tomorrow.
However BUNAC have been at this game for a long time. They have the support network in place and ( I believe) a solid reputation.
Also, I see two problems. Firstly, you need to get on this program sharpish, as my understanding is it is for those who have recently graduated. If BUNAC have given out all of their quota for this year, it's possible you'll have to wait for the next round, by which time you may no longer qualify.
Secondly, your J1 visa may have conditions, such as that you MUST move home after a year. Since from your personal page it seems you want to be with your BF, I would look into this. You may not be able to bounce to another visa straight away when the J1 is up.
Which will lead most posters on this board to suggest the obvious.......marriage.
BUNAC will be able to answer these two questions tomorrow.
#9
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Joined: Apr 2009
Location: Berkeley, CA
Posts: 927
Re: Obtaining a J-1 visa/internship visa
I've not heard of interexchange - I will look into that.
However BUNAC have been at this game for a long time. They have the support network in place and ( I believe) a solid reputation.
Also, I see two problems. Firstly, you need to get on this program sharpish, as my understanding is it is for those who have recently graduated. If BUNAC have given out all of their quota for this year, it's possible you'll have to wait for the next round, by which time you may no longer qualify.
Secondly, your J1 visa may have conditions, such as that you MUST move home after a year. Since from your personal page it seems you want to be with your BF, I would look into this. You may not be able to bounce to another visa straight away when the J1 is up.
Which will lead most posters on this board to suggest the obvious.......marriage.
BUNAC will be able to answer these two questions tomorrow.
However BUNAC have been at this game for a long time. They have the support network in place and ( I believe) a solid reputation.
Also, I see two problems. Firstly, you need to get on this program sharpish, as my understanding is it is for those who have recently graduated. If BUNAC have given out all of their quota for this year, it's possible you'll have to wait for the next round, by which time you may no longer qualify.
Secondly, your J1 visa may have conditions, such as that you MUST move home after a year. Since from your personal page it seems you want to be with your BF, I would look into this. You may not be able to bounce to another visa straight away when the J1 is up.
Which will lead most posters on this board to suggest the obvious.......marriage.
BUNAC will be able to answer these two questions tomorrow.
BUNAC is mainly suitable for people who do not already have an employer that wants to hire them. They match applicants up to employers (e.g. summer camps) and sponsor the J-1.
Companies such as Interexchange and CDS International are mainly used when the employer and intern have already found each other. For instance, a friend of mine applied to intern at Google and was accepted. Google then put him in touch with CDS, who organised his J-1.
#10
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Joined: Sep 2009
Location: London
Posts: 17
Re: Obtaining a J-1 visa/internship visa
I have just had an email back from BUNAC...
"
Thanks for your email. We don’t deal with any other type of J1 visa other than the one you would have had for the summer. We are not familiar with any organisation that does the longer-term visa, so you’d be best to search online or contact US Immigration directly to see if they can advise you."
"
Thanks for your email. We don’t deal with any other type of J1 visa other than the one you would have had for the summer. We are not familiar with any organisation that does the longer-term visa, so you’d be best to search online or contact US Immigration directly to see if they can advise you."