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LINKS CICD 4530 Union Bay Pl. NE Suite 214 Seattle, WA 98105 USA PH. (206) 985-2115 FX. (206) 527-0338 cicd@cicdgo.com |
This page is intended to help current CICD-sponsored trainees and interns have rewarding experiences and maintain their J-1 Visa status throughout the duration of their programs. I) J-1 Trainee and Intern Responsibilities II) Observing the "Grace Period" III) Traveling outside the U.S. IV) Extending your Training or Internship Program V) Bringing your Spouse or Children to the U.S. on the J-2 Visa VI) Host Company Transfer ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- I) J-1 Trainee and Intern Responsibilities* As a trainee or intern on CICD's J-1 Trainee/Intern Program, you are required to:
* This list is not intended to replace the agreements in the "CICD Trainee Contract." Always consult your Contract, CICD and your host company for explanations about any terms of the training or internship program. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- II) Observing the "Grace Period" After you have successfully completed your J-1 Training or Internship, you must leave the U.S. within 30 days of the last day of your program (as indicated in your contract, DS-2019 form and training plan), unless a change of your visa status alters this requirement. During this 30-day period, which is often referred to as the "Grace Period," you are no longer in J-1 Visa status and are under the jurisdiction of the USCIS. The USCIS grants this period to allow you to settle your affairs and to prepare your return to your home country. You may not continue to complete your training or internship program, or work during this 30-day period. Although you may travel in the United States, you should not travel beyond the borders of the U.S. as you may not be permitted re-entry during the Grace Period. For your own safety we also suggest you purchase health insurance for this period either independently or through CICD. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- III) Traveling outside the U.S. If you plan to take a trip outside the U.S. during your J-1 Training or Internship program, you must first secure permission for the trip from your host company and then obtain a travel permission signature on your DS-2019 Form from the Responsible Officer of CICD You will not be able to return to the U.S. on your J-1 Visa without this signature, which certifies that you are in good standing on the J-1 Program. You must send your DS-2019 Form to us, including a pre-paid self-addressed return envelope as well as a brief cover letter in which you describe the dates, destination, and reasons of your trip. Your insurance policy covers you while you are in the U.S. and most third countries, but may not provide coverage during visits to your home country. Therefore, we strongly recommend you contact your insurer to find out specific insurance coverage conditions while you are away from the site of your training or internship program. We recommend that you purchase any additional health insurance that would cover you during any period of time your current insurance may not cover. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- IV) Extending your Training or Internship Program: If your original training lasts less than 18 months and if your host company supports your request for additional training, it may be possible to extend your training program up to a maximum program duration of 18 months. If your original internship lasts less than 12 months and if your host company supports your request for additional internship activities, it may be possible to extend your internship program up to a maximum program duration of 12 months. For both training and internships, you must be currently "in status" on your J-1 Visa and CICD must receive all necessary documentation and application forms at least 20 business days prior to the training or internship end date indicated on CICD documents and contracts. You cannot be "out of status" while the application is processed. If an application is received later and CICD decides to consider the request, a US$200 late fee must be paid to CICD in addition to the US$550 extension application fee. If CICD does not receive the completed initial documents 2 weeks before the end date on the DS-2019 form, CICD has the option to cancel the extension request. Please see our fee and refund policy for details. To request an extension of training or internship, please contact us right away, so we can send the necessary application materials to you and your host company. If your spouse and/or children are with you in the U.S. on the J-2 Visa, they may request an extension of their stay at the time you submit your application to CICD. If all extensions are approved by CICD, your dependents may remain with you for the specified period(s) of their program extension(s). Travel outside the U.S. is restricted during your program extension, unless you obtain a new J-1 Trainee or Intern Visa that is valid beyond the dates of your original J-1 visa. You should contact the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to check whether your travel plans comply with current laws, regulations, and enforcement. Please note that there is never a guarantee that CICD will accept any application for training or internship extension. If CICD denies an application, the denial is final and CICD is not required to provide explanations of the decision. If your J-1 Program extension has been approved by CICD, we will send to you a new DS-2019 Form. If, during the period of your J-1 training extension, you take a trip to a country outside of the U.S., you need to obtain a new J-1 Visa that is valid at the time you are re-entering the U.S. Please be sure to confirm this information with USCIS and the U.S. consulate or embassy where you plan to apply for your visa. The chances of successfully applying for a J-1 Visa are usually higher in your country of citizenship or permanent residency. ** Before making any travel plans, you will need to confirm this information directly with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) because regulations and enforcement are subject to change without prior notice. If, during the period of your J-1 training extension, you take a trip to a country adjoining the U.S for a period that is longer than 30 days OR if you travel to a country that does not adjoin the U.S. (e.g. Spain), you need to obtain a new J-1 Visa that is valid at the time you are re-entering the U.S. Again, please be sure to confirm this information with USCIS and the U.S. consulate or embassy where you plan to apply for your visa. The chances of a successfully applying for a J-1 Visa are usually higher in your country of citizenship or permanent residency. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- V) Bringing your Spouse or Children to the U.S. on the J-2 Visa Your spouse and/or children may be able to obtain the J-2 Visa to accompany you to the U.S. or join you later. Each dependent (spouse and/or unmarried child under the age of 21) wishing to enter the U.S. together with you must apply for CICD sponsorship for the J-2 Visa at the same time you are submitting to us your application for CICD sponsorship for the J-1 Visa. If a dependent wishes to join you in the U.S. later, they need to apply for CICD sponsorship separately. The application fee is $300 per dependent. Please contact us about discounts for families with small children. You and your dependents must bring sufficient funds to cover all living expenses in the U.S., pay for round-trip air travel, and purchase adequate health insurance, both for yourself and your spouse and/or children. CICD-sponsored dependents on the J-2 Visa are not allowed to accept any employment while in the U.S. (unless under exceptional circumstances). Please note that securing sponsorship for a J-1 or J-2 Visa does not guarantee that you or your dependents will actually be granted the J-1 or J-2 Visa by a U.S. embassy or consulate, as this decision is solely that of the embassy or consulate. If your spouse and/or children are with you in the U.S. on the J-2 Visa, they may request an extension of their stay at the time you submit your extension application to CICD. If CICD approves of the applications, your dependents may remain with you for the specified period(s) of their program extension(s). ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- VI) Host Company Transfer: It may be possible for you to continue your training or internship on the J-1 Visa at a new host company or host company branch under the following conditions:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Only after all six conditions above are fulfilled by you and reviewed by CICD for approval, can CICD authorize your transfer to a new host company on the J-1 Visa. Please note that if you switch host companies without notifying CICD and obtaining advance approval from CICD, you will be in violation of program rules and subject to termination from the J-1 Program. You will be required to leave the U.S. immediately. Please also realize that there must be compelling reasons for CICD to consider a request for a transfer of host companies. It is your own responsibility (with our assistance) to find your training or internship position in such an instance. For further information please contact us or check our answers to frequently asked questions. |
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