B2B Assignment & HR Support Update: 2025/2026

J1 Visa for Companies:
Transfer Employees Securely

The J1 visa is the primary tool for international knowledge transfer. In principle, almost any US company can act as a Host Organization. Whether it is your own US branch or a partner company, we guide your HR department through the U.S. Department of State criteria to ensure a seamless assignment.

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Who Can Be a Host Organization?

The good news: there is no minimum size required for a company to host employees via the J1 program. Any professional US organization is generally qualified. The host must simply have valid Workers’ Compensation Insurance and provide a structured Training Plan (DS-7002). Depending on the size of the office, the vetting process by the sponsor may vary slightly.

The 25/3 Rule: When is a Site Visit Required?

To ensure the quality of the professional environment, the U.S. Department of State requires a short on-site visit (Site Visit) for certain companies. This usually takes only 10–15 minutes and is a routine verification process.

Site Visit Exemption: A US site is typically exempt from this visit if it meets both of the following criteria:
  • More than 25 full-time staff members on-site.
  • More than $3 million in annual revenue.

If the US office does not meet one of these criteria (e.g., a small sales office with 5 people), a designated representative from the sponsor (e.g., CIEE) will conduct a short visit. They will take a few pictures of the workspace and collect a business card. We coordinate this appointment for your colleagues in the US to ensure no delays occur.

Intern vs. Trainee: Who Can Go?

  • J1 Intern: For students or recent graduates (graduated < 12 months ago). Ideal for building a global talent pool early on.
  • J1 Trainee: For professionals with a degree and 1 year of experience, or experts with 5 years of relevant experience. Perfect for transferring specific know-how to the US.

Common Questions for HR Teams

Is a Site Visit a bad sign? +
Not at all. It is a regulatory requirement for smaller sites or companies hosting participants for the first time. It is a purely administrative verification of the physical workspace.
Who covers the costs for the Site Visit? +
The fee for the site visit (if required) is a one-time charge and is often already included in our sponsorship packages. We clarify this transparently in advance.
Can we also transfer employees to clients? +
Yes. As long as the US company (the client) is willing to act as the Host and sign the Training Plan (DS-7002), this is possible under the J1 visa program.
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