Your Internship or Trainee Visa: What the Lower Fee Leaves Out

Why Not Go to the Sponsor Directly?

You can apply to a J-1 internship or trainee visa sponsor yourself, and the sponsor’s own fee is often lower than our price. Then you and your host do the paperwork, extra fees can come on top, and if the sponsor declines you, part of your money can be gone. With us, you make one payment, everything included, we do the work with your host, and you get your sponsorship payment back in full if the sponsor says no.

What You Get with Us

  • One payment, everything included: health insurance, the SEVIS fee and your DS-2019.
  • Your training plan checked by us before the sponsor sees it, and the sponsor’s questions answered by us.
  • Your sponsorship payment to VisaNerd back in full if the sponsor declines you.
  • A paid position found for you if you don’t have a host yet, €1,500 only when you accept an offer.

At a glance
Price
From €1,505, insurance included
Training plan
Checked by us before submission
If declined
Full refund of your sponsorship payment
Processing fee
None
Our aim
1–2 weeks once everything is complete

Side by Side

With VisaNerdStraight to a sponsor
PriceOne price with health insurance, the SEVIS fee and your DS-2019 included.The program fee, often lower. Health insurance and the SEVIS fee of $220 are not always included.
Training planYour host writes the DS-7002 with you. We check it before it is submitted and help with the wording where needed.Your host writes it on its own. Some sponsors allow no one else to fill it in.
Your hostWe coordinate everything with your host. A site visit only for small hosts new to the sponsor.Your host completes its own application. Some sponsors charge new hosts a one-time fee.
The sponsor’s questionsWe answer them with you and your host.They come straight to you and your host.
If the sponsor says noYour sponsorship payment to VisaNerd back in full.Not every sponsor refunds everything. Some keep a fixed fee, some half of the program fee.
No host yetWe look for a paid position for €1,500, payable only once you accept an offer.Many sponsors don’t help you find a host. You need one before you apply.

Through Us Is Not a Detour

We work directly with sponsors designated by the US Department of State and are an official international repre­sen­ta­tive of CIEE, our main sponsor, for which we also check eligibility. We use the sponsor’s own portal for your application and speak directly with its program team. You reach the sponsor the same way, with someone who does the work for you.

Where Saving Costs More

Your sponsor reviews every line of the training plan. An unclear plan or an activity outside the rules can lead to questions or refusal. With a direct application, a decline may mean losing a fixed fee or half the program fee and several weeks. You then apply again to another sponsor and pay its fees as well.

We begin with the free check. Before submission, we review your training plan as a sponsor would and point out to your host anything likely to prompt questions. If the sponsor nevertheless declines, your sponsorship payment to VisaNerd is fully returned.

What the Difference Pays For

  • The free check on this page, before you pay anything.
  • A second look at your training plan, before the sponsor sees it.
  • All documents for the sponsor, prepared and checked by us.
  • The sponsor’s questions, answered by us with you and your host.
  • Health insurance for your whole program, already in the price.
  • One contact in Europe who knows your case from start to finish.
  • Your sponsorship payment to VisaNerd back in full if the sponsor says no.

FAQs

Isn’t it cheaper to go straight to a sponsor?

The sponsor usually charges a lower fee itself. What the difference buys with us is the work with you and your host, included health insurance and the full return of your sponsorship payment to VisaNerd if the sponsor declines. A direct application leaves the work to you, and not all sponsors offer a full refund after a decline.

Which sponsor do you work with?

We work directly with sponsors designated by the US Department of State and are an official international repre­sen­ta­tive of CIEE, our main sponsor. Your application is reviewed by the sponsor, which then issues your DS-2019. We prepare everything and stay your contact.

What if the sponsor says no?

You receive a full refund of the sponsorship payment you made to VisaNerd. Only a site visit already carried out at your host is excluded; the sponsor charges €250 for it.

I already applied with a sponsor and was declined. What now?

Tell us what happened and why. We look at the reason and tell you whether we can take on your case. More on our page for cases declined elsewhere.

The Bottom Line

Going straight to a sponsor saves money only as long as nothing goes wrong. With us, the work is done with your host, everything is included, and you get your sponsorship payment back in full if the sponsor says no. We can begin right away once you send us your host’s contact.

  • J-1 SponsorAn organization designated by the US Department of State to run J-1 exchange programs. Every J-1 participant needs one.
  • DS-7002The Training/Internship Placement Plan. You, your host company and your sponsor all sign it.
  • Host CompanyThe US organization where a J-1 intern or trainee does the training program.
  • Site VisitThe sponsor visits a host company new to it that has fewer than 25 employees or annual revenue below $3 million.