Eligibility, programs, and how to find a U.S. host employer through J-1 Connect.
What is J-1 Connect?
J-1 Connect is a career-related platform that links international candidates with U.S. internship and trainee opportunities, and helps American host employers and partner schools connect with global talent.
What is the J-1 visa?
The J-1 visa is a U.S. exchange visitor visa that lets international candidates gain professional experience in the United States through programs such as internships and trainee placements, while also taking part in cultural exchange.
Does J-1 Connect sponsor J-1 visas?
No. J-1 Connect is not a visa sponsor. Only a U.S. Department of State designated sponsor can select a participant, administer the program, and issue Form DS-2019. The platform helps you find an opportunity and points you to sponsor and program advisor resources.
What is the difference between an internship and a trainee program?
The intern category is for candidates currently enrolled at a foreign postsecondary institution or who graduated no more than 12 months before the program start date. The trainee category is for candidates with a foreign degree or professional certificate plus at least one year of related work experience outside the United States, or with at least five years of work experience in the field.
How do I find a J-1 host employer in the United States?
Create a candidate profile, complete your resume, then browse U.S. host employers and open opportunities and apply directly through the platform. Employers can also find you in candidate search once your profile is public and complete.
Do I have to fill in my profile by hand?
No. Upload your CV as a PDF, DOC, DOCX, JPG or PNG and J-1 Connect reads it and fills in your profile for you, including your work experience, education, languages and skills. You check everything it found on a review screen and confirm it before anything is saved, and you can edit any field afterwards.
Is there a cost to create a candidate account?
No. Creating a candidate profile, browsing opportunities and courses, and applying to opportunities are free.
How does the sponsorship step work?
After you secure a host employer that matches your career goals, you connect with a designated sponsor or a program advisor in your country. The sponsor reviews the placement, issues your documentation, and supports you during the program.
Can employers or schools contact me directly?
Yes. Employers and schools with a premium account can message candidates and send recommendations. You can always reply to a conversation that was started with you.
How do I reset or change my password?
If you forgot your password, click "Sign in" and then "Forgot password" to receive a reset link by email. If you are logged in, go to Account, then Settings and privacy, then Change password.
Hosting international talent, publishing opportunities, and managing your employer account.
Why should my company join J-1 Connect?
You get access to a pool of international candidates who are actively looking for career-related experience in the United States, and a place to present your company, your team, and your open opportunities.
How do I register as an employer?
Click "Register" in the top right corner of any page and select "Employer". After you confirm your email address you can complete your company profile and start publishing opportunities.
Is there a cost to create a company profile?
No. Creating the company profile, publishing opportunities, and receiving applications are all free, with up to five opportunities live at a time. A paid plan lets you keep an unlimited number live, start conversations with candidates yourself, and send recommendations.
How do I reach candidates?
Candidates apply directly to your opportunities and you review every application from your dashboard on any plan, including the free one, and replying inside a conversation you already have is always free. A paid plan is what lets you start the conversation, with a monthly allowance of new candidate conversations, and send recommendations.
What are the responsibilities of a host employer?
The host provides a structured, supervised training experience, signs Form DS-7002 with the sponsor, and notifies the sponsor promptly about any change or concern regarding the placement. The designated sponsor remains responsible for administering the exchange program.
Does J-1 Connect handle the visa process?
No. J-1 Connect connects you with candidates. The visa process is handled by a designated sponsor together with the participant and the U.S. embassy or consulate.
How do I reset or change my password?
If you forgot your password, click "Sign in" and then "Forgot password" to receive a reset link by email. If you are logged in, go to Account, then Settings and privacy, then Change password.
Promoting your institution and supporting students who want U.S. experience.
Why should my school join J-1 Connect?
Registering gives thousands of international students and young professionals the opportunity to discover your institution and the courses you offer. It also gives your students and alumni visibility on U.S. opportunities that improve their employability after graduation.
How do I register as a school?
Click "Register" in the top right corner of any page and select "School". After you confirm your email address you can complete your institution profile and publish courses.
Is there a cost to create a school profile?
Creating the institution profile and publishing courses is free. Starting conversations with candidates and sending recommendations require premium access, which is arranged through the J-1 Connect team.
How can my school connect with candidates?
Candidates can follow your institution, view your courses, and read your posts. You can search candidate profiles on any plan. With premium access you can also start conversations and send recommendations.
Can we publish news and photos about our programs?
Yes. School accounts can post updates to the newsfeed and build photo albums that appear on the institution profile.
How do I reset or change my password?
If you forgot your password, click "Sign in" and then "Forgot password" to receive a reset link by email. If you are logged in, go to Account, then Settings and privacy, then Change password.
