J-1 Career Training Visa
The J-1 visa for exchange visitors is designed to promote the interchange of persons, knowledge, and skills in the fields of arts, business, education, and science. It offers students, graduates and young professionals a unique opportunity to gain international training in the US. US Employers are eager to introduce international trainees, who often bring fresh ideas and cultural perspectives to the workspace.

You'll make valuable contacts, gain firsthand inside into another culture,  learn about the latest developments, overcome challenges, while at the same time gain independence, increase your professional marketability, which prepare you for the future in a world that will be increasingly dependent upon international cooperation and cross-cultural understanding.

Duration
Management Training Program in the USA allows you to train anywhere in the US for up to 12 months in a field related to your career or professional qualifications.

How it Works
One essential requirement for receiving a J-1 Visa is DS-2019 form, which can only be issued by sponsor designated by the U.S. Department of State. We cooperate with one of these selected sponsors.

For the form to be issued the following arrangements are required:

Detailed training plan for the entire period of your stay created by the host company,
Arrangement of your medical, dental, travel cover,

Payment of SEVIS fee, which is a one off fee charged to cover the cost of administering the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for the Program you should fulfill the following requirements:

        Hold a Diploma or Degree from a University with one year work experience OR

        Be a current student enrolled in a degree or certificate granting post secondary institution outside of the U.S. OR

        Be a recent graduate from a degree or certificate granting post secondary institution, who will begin the program within 12 months of graduation. OR

        Non-graduate with five years work experience and

        Be between the ages of 18 and 30 years only (USA Immigration Regulations)

 
What positions are available?

We have the following openings available:

• Front Office (GSA) / Rooms Division Management
• Food & Beverage Management
• Culinary Management
• Hotel Engineering

Our Clients
The participating hotels and resorts are four & five star properties throughout the USA such as:
Marriott’s, Hiltons, Hyatt’s, Renaissance, Intercontinental, Sheraton’s, Crowne Plaza, Fairmont as well as exclusive, luxurious boutique Hotels and many more…all around USA.

Locations
We can assist you with the placement across the America in a state of your choice such as: Florida, California, Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, Arizona and many many more.


How to apply
To ensure that your application is processed efficiently and quickly please e-mail the following documents to: lorraine@virainternational.com or to usa@virainternational.com; jo@virainternational.com

• Detailed resume with photo (in word format only)
• Cover letter
• Reference letters from previous employers ( at least 2 )
• Degree or diploma certificates
• Mark sheets
• Photo passport page
• Certificate in English proficiency (TOEFL, SLEP, TOEIC etc.) If you do not have any, you will be required to take a free English assessment test accessable on www.testpodium.com and send your result to us.

How long will the process take?
From the time we receive all your documents, sponsorship application forms to the time you depart to USA it can take anywhere between 8-12weeks.

What are the stages of the application process?

Stage 1
After receiving your application we will do required assessment of the application and forward your details to major hotels in the USA for an interview.

Stage 2
Once you have been advised that your application is successful, we will arrange your telephone interview with your prospective employer. Vira International Ltd will notify you of the date, time, and relevant information for your interview. This process will take 4-12 weeks to secure the right Job.

Stage 3
Once your interview is successful, Vira International Ltd will send you a Letter of Offer, job description (training plan), and details of your pay & benefits information from the employer. You will need to sign & send us the following:

• Letter of Offer
• Training Plan

You will then need to mail the signed documents and once we have received all of this we will arrange your USA sponsorship (work permit), Medical, Dental, and Travel cover & SEVIS (INS).

Stage 4
We will send you the Sponsorship (work permit) documentation DS-2019, Medical Coverage & SEVIS fee paid invoice, which will enable you to secure a J-1 Visa for USA from your nearest US Embassy.

All US consulates require that you physically travel and attend an interview with the Visa officer to secure a J-1 Visa. This process might take 3 to 7 days to issue a Visa. Your Passport with the endorsed Visa will be posted back to you.

You need to pay applicable Visa fee directly to the US Embassy at the time of securing your J-1 Visa.

What is the pay and working hours?
Contracts vary from property to property, but the minimum remuneration is $7-$8 ph + (plus gratuity for f&b) and $9,00ph + (front office, culinary). Your average working week will be around 35 - 45 hours depending on the property; however any additional hours over 40 Hours will be compensated at the applicable overtime rates.

Is accommodation provided?
The host company provides the accommodation for the first 2- 3 weeks. It is in your responsibility to do the housing arrangements after that time and you should submit information on that at least 2 weeks prior to your arrival in the U.S.

What documents shall I take for my Visa appointment?
Applicants must demonstrate to the consular officer that they have binding ties to a residence in a foreign country which they have no intention of abandoning, and that they are coming to the United States for a temporary period. It is impossible to specify the exact form the evidence should take since applicants' circumstances vary greatly.

Can my spouse/partner go with me?
Spouses and/or children under the age of 21 who wish to accompany or join the principal visa holder in the United States for the duration of his/her stay require derivative J-2 visas. Spouses and/or children who do not intend to reside in the United States with the principal visa holder, but visit for vacations only, may be eligible to apply for visitor (B-2) visas.

The spouse can work only after obtaining the permission in advance from the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services and when there is no need for financial support of the principal J-1 Visa holder.

Can I extend my J-1 Visa?
J-1 Visa is not extendable beyond the maximum program duration of 12 months. You will be also a subject to a 2 years rule, which says that J-1 Visa holders are required to reside in their home country for 2 years following completion of their program before they can be granted an entry to US on J-1 Visa again.

Can I be transferred to another property while being in the US? The transfer is possible only in exceptional circumstances and only with permission of your legal sponsor in the US.

 What would happen if my employment was terminated?
If your employment was terminated, you would become out- of status and have 30 days from the effective date of termination to depart the United States.

How long am I permitted to stay in the U.S. after my Program has ended?
You are permitted to stay for additional 30 days than the initial admission specified on DS-2019 form, for a purpose of travel. The 30-day grace or travel status period is intended to be a period following the end of the exchange visitor’s program and is to be used for domestic travel and/or to prepare for and depart from the U.S., and for no other purpose.