J-1 Site Visit: When It's Required and Why

What Is a J-1 Site Visit?

A sponsor's visit to a new host company with fewer than 25 employees or less than $3 million in annual revenue.

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When It Is Required

Sponsors must visit host companies that have not hosted successfully with them before and have fewer than 25 employees or less than three million dollars in annual revenue. Placements at academic institutions and federal, state or local government offices are excluded.

Source: 22 CFR § 62.22: Trainees and interns

Why It Exists

The visit verifies that the host company can in fact deliver the structured, supervised training set out in the training plan.

Source: 22 CFR § 62.22: Trainees and interns

FAQs

Does every host company get a site visit?

No. It is required for host companies new to the sponsor that have fewer than 25 employees or less than $3 million in annual revenue. Universities and government offices are excluded.

Source: 22 CFR § 62.22: Trainees and interns

The Bottom Line

Only new host companies below the size threshold get a site visit. The purpose is to check that genuine, supervised training is possible there.

Related Terms

• 
  Host CompanyThe US organization where a J-1 intern or trainee does the training program.
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• 
  DS-7002The Training/Internship Placement Plan. You, your host company and your sponsor all sign it.
  more
• 
  J-1 InternA US exchange visitor category that lets students and recent graduates train at a US company for up to 12 months.
  more
• 
  J-1 TraineeA US exchange visitor category for people with a degree and work experience abroad, with training at a US company for up to 18 months.
  more
• 
  Self-PlacedWhen you found your US host company yourself and then look for a J-1 sponsor.
  more
• 
  DS-2019The Certificate of Eligibility your J-1 sponsor issues. You need it to apply for your visa.
  more

Sources

1. 22 CFR § 62.22: Trainees and interns