J1 Visa Sponsors: All You Need to Know

J1 Visa sponsors are organizations that provide sponsorship services to individuals seeking J1 Visas. These sponsors cater to over 500,000 J1 Visa holders from more than 200 countries. They charge fees to either the student, the host organization, the government, or a combination of these entities, depending on the specific conditions. 

The J1 visa holder can work for any type of organization, including businesses, schools, NGOs, and camps. If you’re an organization looking to hire a J1 Visa holder, you’ll need to work with a J1 Visa sponsor organization to ensure that the individual is properly sponsored and eligible to work for you.

Who is eligible to be a J1 visa sponsor

The Secretary of State appoints sponsor organizations for J1 visas. These organizations can come in various forms, including government agencies, educational institutions, academic organizations, cultural organizations, non-profit organizations, and for-profit organizations. 

In some cases, the host may also act as the sponsor, but this is more common among larger multinational corporations and universities that frequently work with J1 visa holders. For the most part, however, sponsoring agencies are third-party organizations.

If your company does not regularly work with J1 visa holders, it is advisable to work with a sponsoring agency. On the other hand, if you find that you frequently need to work with J1 visa holders, then you may apply to become a J1 visa sponsor yourself.

Requirements to become a J1 visa sponsor?

To become a J1 visa sponsor, an organization must meet specific qualifications set by the Department of State. Firstly, they must demonstrate their ability to comply and remain compliant with the regulations set out by the Exchange Visitor Program, which is outlined in 22 CFR Part 62. Additionally, they must demonstrate their financial capability to meet the obligations demanded by the program.

Each program has its unique requirements, so it’s essential to look into the specific program for the exact qualifications needed. Once an agency successfully becomes a sponsor, it must begin administering the program immediately without any delays, and this is checked as well.

Responsibilities of a J1 visa sponsor

As a J1 visa sponsor, an agency will be responsible for various tasks. The responsibilities of a J1 visa sponsor include:

• Screening and selecting eligible exchange visitor program applicants and hosts
• Checking the applicant’s English proficiency
• Assisting J1 visa applicants throughout the application process
• Providing orientation support to exchange visitors on customs and American lifestyle when they arrive in the United States
• Ensuring exchange visitors have all the information and materials needed to carry out their daily duties
• Monitoring exchange visitors’ participation in the program they came for
• Providing assistance to exchange visitors as required formally
• Conducting thorough academic background checks and skill checks on trainees or interns, if required
• Fulfilling other responsibilities as set out in the specific program requirements.

J1 visa sponsors must ensure that they maintain compliance with the EVP requirements while fulfilling their responsibilities. Failure to do so could result in scrutiny, fines, and ultimately revocation of their status as a J1 visitor sponsor.

At J1 Visa Exchanges, we’re also one of the Department of State’s designated sponsors of teacher, trainee, and intern programs. 

How to find a J1 visa sponsor

If you want to come to the US as a J1 teacher or internee, you surely need to find the right J1 visa sponsor. 

Finding a sponsor for a J-1 visa in the United States is not a difficult task. You can easily search for the official list of designated sponsors for J-1 visas online. Depending on your current situation, you may have different concerns such as finding the cheapest or the best J-1 visa sponsor, understanding the differences between various J-1 visa sponsors, and determining whether your host company can function as your J-1 visa sponsor. 

It’s worth noting that there are over 1,000 organizations authorized by the US Department of State to act as J-1 visa sponsors, each with its own unique characteristics and program offerings. Therefore, it is important to carefully evaluate the different options available before selecting a sponsor that best suits your needs.

Besides, it’s essential to be aware of any potential risks or fraudulent schemes associated with working with certain sponsors.

Here is a list of Designated Sponsor Organizations

Basic steps you need to take to become a J1 visa sponsor

Becoming a J1 Visa sponsor requires meeting specific eligibility criteria that vary depending on the program you’re applying for. To begin the process, you’ll need to follow these basic steps:

1. Obtain a SEVIS User ID by registering online.
2. Complete the Designation process by adding officials to your application.
3. Fill out the Exchange Visitor Program Application form (Form DS-3036) and submit it for review. You can download the form from the Department of State’s website and submit it electronically.
4. Submit all the relevant documents as mentioned in the user manual.
5. Pay the application fee online.
6. Send the required documents to the Department of State as directed.

After submitting your application, you’ll need to wait to hear back from the Department of State. You may be required to attend a few rounds of interviews before being approved. Once approved, you can start sponsoring exchange visitors. Make sure to refer to the DS-3606 user manual for complete instructions.

To remain eligible as a J1 Visa sponsor, you must successfully host at least five exchange visitors every year, with federal agencies being the exception.
Contact us if you’re looking for a J1 Visa Sponsor for the following programs: J1 teacher, Trainees & Interns!