BridgeUSA is the new brand identity for the Exchange Visitor Program (EVP). FUSIA Communications is a designated sponsor in the J-1 intern category. We offer two types of J-1 visa programs - the Cross Cultural Internship Program (with host placement) and FUSIA J-1 internships (exchange visitors find their own hosts).
Generally, a foreigner who wishes to enter the US must first obtain either a nonimmigrant or an immigrant visa. There are different nonimmigrant visas, J is for individuals approved to travel and gain experience, skills, or knowledge in the US by participating in a work and study-based exchange visitor program.
The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) is a cultural exchange program administered by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the US Department of State with the purpose to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchanges. Five principal parties are involved in the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program.
The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) is administered by the US Department of State Educational and Cultural Affairs Bureau (ECA) which designates, monitors, and partners with program sponsors to conduct educational and cultural exchange programs through which qualified foreign nationals can come to the US to study, teach, conduct research, work, and train. The office monitors regulatory compliance of the sponsors, evaluates program, category, and sponsor-specific data from SEVIS, annual management audits, surveys of exchange visitor participants, and data requests to track program statistics, identify systemic compliance issues, and detect program trends.
In carrying out the responsibilities of the program, the State Department designates public and private entities to act as exchange sponsors, which provide sponsorship services by charging a fee (to the exchange visitors and/or hosts) based on the conditions. Examples of responsibilities of a sponsor include screening and selecting eligible foreign nationals, appointing officers to work with them, issuing necessary documents, monitoring the arrival and program progression, creating and maintaining Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) records, promoting and facilitating cultural activities, supporting and monitoring activities during exchange visitors' stay in the US.
Exchange visitors are foreign nationals who enter the US on a J-1 visa as temporary nonimmigrants to participate in one of fifteen exchange programs through a State Department-designated sponsor for the purpose of teaching, instructing or lecturing, studying, observing, conducting research, consulting, demonstrating special skills, receiving training, or to receive graduate medical education or training. Exchange visitors should fulfill the objectives of the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, understand and adhere to all US laws, immigration regulations specific to their visa status, federal rules (22 CFR Part 62) that govern J-1, as well as sponsor-imposed rules or guidelines.
A US family, institution, private or nonprofit entity that provides change opportunities to an exchange visitor is considered as the visitor's host. To become a host, first decide which program to join, e.g., a host family of an au pair or a company of a foreign intern. Then, find a sponsor and ensure that you meet both the general and sponsor-imposed requirements for the specific program. For example, to host an exchange intern, the host must abide by all federal, state and local labor and occupational health and safety laws, including compensation requirements and regulations, provide 32-40 hours per week, complete and follow the DS-7002 form, provide professional-level, continuous supervision and training in qualified sites, show proof of a workers' compensation policy or equivalent insurance that cover the intern, agree to complete program evaluation, etc.
J-1 internships (one of the 15 exchange visitor programs) are designed to allow foreign college and university students or recent graduates to come to the US to gain exposure to US culture and to receive hands-on experience in US business practices in their chosen occupational field.
Below you'll find answers to the questions we get asked the most from prospective J-1 interns.
