Self-Arranged Placement

This program is designed for students and recent graduates who have found their own training position, but need J1 visa sponsorship to be able to travel to USA. We will provide you with visa assistance, insurance and full support whilst you are in the USA.

There are several documents that you will need while you are participating in the Internship/Traineeship program in the USA. To be able to apply for your J1 visa, the DS-2019 form is required which can be issued only by a few authorised organisations in the USA.  This form is proof that you have been accepted in to the Internship/Traineeship program that you've organised and gives authorisation for you to undertake training. We will arrange the DS 2019 form for you, which you will then take to the embassy and apply for your J1 visa.

Industries

Please ensure that your Host Organization is offering your training/internship in one of the following subject fields: Information Media and Communications, Management, Business, Commerce, Finance, the Sciences, Engineering, Architecture, Mathematics, Industrial Occupations, Public Administration or Law, Arts and Culture, Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing*, or Construction and Building Trades ** (* Interns only, **Trainees only).

Eligibility

Intern must either
  • Australian or NZ citizen ( other nationalities might be considered under special circumstances).
  • Be enrolled in and pursuing studies in a degree- or certificate-granting post-secondary institution outside the United States OR
  • Have graduated from such an institution no more than 12 months prior to their prospective program start date.

INTERN: Programs can last up to 12 months. They can be as short as 3 months, though the shorter the program, the more difficult the placement (as a general rule).

Trainee must either:

  • Australian or NZ citizen ( other nationalities might be considered under special circumstances).
  • Have either a degree or professional certificate from a foreign post-secondary academic institution AND at least one year of prior related work experience acquired outside the United States OR
  • Have at least five years of work experience outside of the United State in their occupational field.

TRAINEE: Programs can last up to 18 months, with the exception of training programs in hospitality/tourism, which are limited to 12 months.

Important requirements for Host Organizations: 

  • The Host Organization must provide you with a full-time (minimum 32 hours per week) structured training/internship program documented on a Training/Internship Placement Plan (“DS 7002”) form. The DS 7002 form must be approved by PPA and our partner in US and be suitable to your qualifications and background. (You are required to submit the DS 7002 form to the U.S. consulate or embassy with your DS-2019 form at the time of your in-person visa interview.)  
  • The Host Organization has a responsibility to make sure that you engage in training/internship activities and not perform “work” that a part-time or full-time staff member of the organization would otherwise be responsible for. As a J-1 Trainee/Intern, you are not allowed to make final decisions about, or carry the full responsibility for, major tasks, assignments or projects. However, you may provide assistance in such matters as on-the-job participation is encouraged as an important learning tool. 
  • The Host Organization additionally has the responsibility to ensure that the total activities during the program do not include more than 20 percent clerical tasks.

Host Organisation responsibilities

PPA will send your Host Organization supervisor the information and documents necessary to complete the Host Organization’s part of the application. We will also arrange a brief phone interview with your supervisor, if needed.   PPA will work with your Host Organization supervisor to complete the two following documents:  DS 7002 Training/Internship Placement Plan Host Organization Agreement.

A site visit is required if your Host Organization has less then 25 employees or less than $3 million in annual revenue, and has not previously hosted a J-1 trainee/intern. If required, our partner's representative in US will visit the site of activity to verify the location and that the Host Organization has the facilities and resources to host a trainee/ intern. The cost for this visit is $150 (usually charged to the Host Organization, unless otherwise agreed).  

The program includes:

  • Verification of internship opportunity if self-arranged
  • Paperwork coordination: J-1 Visa documentation.
  • Detailed training plan
  • Conduct a site visit of Host Organizations that have fewer than 25 employees or less than 3 million dollars in annual revenue;
  • Pre-departure orientation 
  • Orientation in the USA
  • 24 hours a day/7 days a week personal support
  • An Emergency 24-hour assistance telephone number
  • Detailed participant handbook that contains all information relative to the program
  • Monitor the training/internship from start to finish;

Visa

You will need to apply for the J1 Visa. Our partner in the USA will arrange the DS 2019 form and the training plan necessary for this visa. For more information please visit http://canberra.usembassy.gov/visas.html

Applicants who have previously participated in the J-1 trainee/intern program may be eligible to participate in additional training and internship programs under the following conditions: 

  • Additional training and internship programs must address the development of more advanced skills or a different field of expertise. 
  • Interns may participate in additional internship programs as long as they maintain student status or begin a new internship program within 12 months of graduation from their academic institution. 
  • Trainees may participate in additional training programs after a period of at least two years residency outside the U.S. following their initial training program.  
  •  Participants who have successfully completed internship programs and no longer meet the selection criteria for internship programs may participate in a training program after a two-year residency outside the U.S. following their internship program.

Program Fee 2011

1-6 months: US$ 900
7-12 months: US$1,150
13-18 months: US$1,350

Insurance: US$35 per month
Site visit if company less than 25 employees and less than 3 million in annual revenue: US$150

SEVIS fee, visa application fee and visa issuance fee charged by US Consulate are not included in the program fee. For more information on visa fees, click here.

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