British American Business Council Northern California

J1 Visas
J1 Visa Enquiry
General Visa Information

J1 Visas

BABC Northern California offers a fast and efficient J1 Visa Processing Service with an exceptional record of success.

The J1 Visa Program permits companies to bring selected employees from their overseas offices or subsidiaries into the United States for a training period of up to 18 months. In addition they gain experience in US business methods, practices and culture. To the US host company, they bring and share knowledge of how business, and life, is conducted in another country. This training can range from basic graduate training to acquisition of a practical skill to developing high-level executive competencies.

This exchange visitor program is administered in partnership with the British American Business Inc in New York.

If you are interested in this service please fill out an enquiry form and we will contact you to discuss the matter further.

Purpose

The purpose of the BABC's Exchange Visitor Program is to enable qualified foreign nationals to participate in training programs offered by its corporate members in the United States. Through this, the trainees will be able to improve their knowledge of American techniques, methodology and philosophy in their respective business fields of endeavor. This will enhance their career opportunities abroad upon completion of the training program and will serve to strengthen the ties between the United States and foreign nationals. The period spent in the US must be to further the trainee's career path within that company or have a specific connection to the company offering the training.

Eligibility

Only foreign nationals who will undergo a period of training with one of BABC of Northern California's member companies are eligible for the Exchange Program participation. It is the responsibility of the prospective trainee to make arrangements with a suitable employer who does not now have to be a member of the Council, but must join. Geographic location can be anywhere in the United States. The trainees must be qualified to undertake the training based on their prior educational and employment background.

The following foreign nationals are eligible to participate in the BABC Program:

•	British nationals currently employed by the company in the U.K., employed at a company's overseas offices or recruited for positions requiring training in the U.S.
•	Non-British nationals who are a resident of the U.K. or employed in a company's overseas offices.
•	For non British nationals, who are not at present employed by the company, it must be shown that the trainee is being taken on to join an international training program provided by that company which therefore requires the company to have:
	- worldwide offices, including U.K.
	- a formalized international training program.
All trainees employed by companies for less than 8 weeks will require a written reference from a third party to verify the trainee's suitability to participate in the Exchange Visitor Program. The following are NOT eligible for the British American Council's Program: STUDENTS SEEKING INTERNSHIPS OR EMPLOYMENT, however we can recommend a body that does successfully organize such applications. PHYSICIANS OR MEDICAL WORKERS SEEKING ADDITIONAL TRAINING IN THE US.

Conditions

1.	The trainee must receive sufficient remuneration to support their living cost whilst in the United States.
2.	The trainee has to either be enrolled in the company's medical plan or have separate medical insurance, which is available through the BABC at a cost of $687.50 per annum.
3.	The potential employer must become a business member of the BABC.

Benefits of J1 Visas Obtained Through BABC

There is a quick turn around time on applications. The trainee can be accompanied by spouse and children who will be issued a J-2 visa who must also have medical insurance

A J-2 visa holder can obtain permission to work by filing form I-765 with the Immigration and Naturalization Service ( INS). The applicants must demonstrate that their income will not be used to support the living costs of the exchange family members.

How Does it Work

The applying company will have to fill out the application form available from the Chamber, giving details of the trainee, accompanying family members, and the training program planned during his or her stay in the United States. If the form is completed correctly and the trainee complies with all the standards set by the United States Department of State, which has the overall responsibility for the program, our "Responsible Officer" will then issue a Certificate of Eligibility also known as form DS-2019. This procedure usually takes 7 to 10 business days. The trainee will be issued a visa on its presentation to the American Embassy or Consulate in their home country.

However applicants should note that a certificate of Eligibility does not guarantee entry into the United States. If they are not satisfied with the purpose of the visit the Consular Officer at the American Consulate or Embassy responsible for J-1 visas can refuse issuance of a J-1 visa and INS officers at the port of entry also have the right to refuse admission.

If you are interested in this service please fill out an enquiry form and we will contact you to discuss the matter further.

J1 Visa Enquiry

If you are interested in using the Chamber's J1 Visa Processing Service please fill out the following form and we will contact you with further details of the program.


	Full Name
	Contact Telephone Number
	Email
	Postal Address
	Country
	ZIP / Postcode
	Prospective Employer Company Name
	Prospective Employer Address
	Prospective Employer Telephone Number
	Years Employed in Present Position
	Date Graduated from University
	Additional Information

General Visa Information

Travel Tips for Visitors From the United Kingdom

Visas
Citizens of the United Kingdom do not have to apply for a visa if their visit is for less than 90 days. However since September 30th 2004 they are required to enroll in the US-Visa program and have their index fingerprints digitally scanned and their photograph taken upon entering the US. Children under the age of 14 or adults over the age of 79 do not have to take part in the program.

Passports
All visa waiver program travelers entering the United States starting October 26th 2004 will have to be in possession of a machine-readable or scanable passport exception. If a traveler holds a valid passport with a number of years until its expiry date they have the option of continuing to use the old passport but will have to obtain a US visa to enter the United States.

For information on all categories of US Visa, please use the following link, which will take you to the US Bureau of Consular Affairs web site:
www.travel.state.gov/visa

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