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.

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.

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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

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.
The site visit is carried out by our partner sponsors to verify the host company, these days usually digitally by video call. The fee is a one-time charge of 250 €, billed separately from the sponsorship price. It only applies when a site visit is required, that is for small hosts; larger hosts do not pay it. We clarify this transparently in advance.
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.

At VisaNerd we sponsor strictly within the US Department of State exchange visitor regulations (22 CFR 62.22) and current BridgeUSA policy. What you read here is how we actually sponsor and what we require, not a general overview of other sponsors. It is practical guidance from our team, not legal advice; your eligibility is confirmed through us as your sponsor contact, and the final visa decision is made by the US consular officer.