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J-1 visa guides, employer success stories, and program news — everything you need to make the most of international internships.
If you've heard about bringing international interns to your business but aren't sure where to start, this guide covers everything — how the J-1 program works, what your obligations are as a host employer, and how to set up a program that keeps delivering year after year.
Facing chronic staffing shortages in their Food & Beverage department, Oceanview Resort turned to the J-1 program — and never looked back.
Before your first intern arrives, make sure you understand these key rules — from training plans to stipend requirements.
The U.S. Department of State has issued new guidance on the J-1 Intern and Trainee categories. Here's what changes and what stays the same.
From communication styles to workplace expectations, here's what international interns say surprised them most about working in the U.S.
European interns often bring a different approach to work-life balance, hierarchy, and communication. Understanding these differences makes for a much smoother experience.
Latin American interns are among the fastest-growing group in the J-1 program. Here's how to set them up for success from day one.
A fast-growing B2B company needed bilingual sales talent — and found it through the J-1 program, hiring European interns twice a year.
A quick walkthrough showing how U.S. employers can request interns and start the J-1 host process.
A step-by-step video for international students applying for a U.S. J-1 internship through TryInterns.
The J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program is one of the most underutilized hiring tools available to U.S. businesses. Administered by the U.S. Department of State and overseen by designated sponsors like GEC Exchanges, it allows companies to host international interns and trainees for periods typically ranging from 6 to 18 months — at no cost to the employer.
If you've been curious about the program but unsure where to start, this guide walks you through everything from eligibility to arrival day.
The J-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa issued to participants in approved exchange visitor programs. The Intern category is for current university students or recent graduates, while the Trainee category is for professionals with at least one year of experience in their field.
Almost any legitimate U.S. business can be a host employer. The main requirements are that you can offer a genuine training experience in a recognized occupational category and complete a Host Organization agreement with the sponsor.
Step 1: Submit your request. Step 2: Complete your Host Organization profile. Step 3: Interview and select candidates. Step 4: GEC Exchanges handles visa documentation. Step 5: Your intern arrives.
Ready to bring qualified international interns to your business?
Request Interns Now →For the HR team at a large resort hotel in the Southeast, the Culinary Arts department had become their most persistent hiring problem. High turnover, seasonal demand spikes, and a shrinking local talent pool meant they were perpetually understaffed.
Within a week of contacting Try Interns, the resort had submitted its first host application. Three months later, four Culinary Arts interns from Europe arrived for their 12-month programs.
By year three, they were hosting 25 interns annually across Culinary, Front Desk, and Food & Beverage roles.
Want to build a program like this for your business?
Get Started →The J-1 Intern program is straightforward once you understand the ground rules. The sponsor handles most of the complexity, but host employers should know these five points.
J-1 interns must have a documented Training/Internship Placement Plan known as a DS-7002 form.
Their primary duties must be skilled, training-oriented, and related to their field.
Interns must be paid at least minimum wage and ideally comparable to a U.S. employee in a similar position.
Host employers must provide a safe, non-discriminatory workplace.
Role, location, supervisor changes, or early termination must be reported to the sponsor.
Have questions? We are happy to walk you through the details.
Contact Us →The U.S. Department of State's BridgeUSA office issued updated program guidance for the 2026 exchange visitor season. Most changes are administrative, but host employers should understand the practical impact.
Designated sponsors are required to conduct check-ins with host employers and participants during the early stage of each program.
Training plans now place more emphasis on measurable learning outcomes in each phase.
Questions about how these updates affect your program?
Contact GEC Exchanges →Moving to a new country for an internship is exciting, and American workplace culture has its own expectations and unwritten rules.
U.S. workplaces often favor direct and informal communication. Asking questions is encouraged.
Volunteering for tasks, flagging problems early, and offering ideas are seen as signs of engagement.
Arriving on time and communicating early if something changes are important workplace norms.
Interested in joining the program as a student?
Apply Now →European interns bring strong educational backgrounds, language skills, and genuine curiosity about American professional culture.
Many European interns arrive with structured, analytical thinking styles.
Some interns are very comfortable speaking up and sharing perspective, while others may be more deferential at first.
Setting clear workplace expectations from day one helps avoid misunderstandings.
Interested in hosting European interns at your business?
Request Interns →Latin American interns bring energy, warmth, and strong interpersonal skills to teams across the U.S.
Taking time to build trust and show interest in your intern as a person goes a long way.
Traveling to a new country for work requires courage and flexibility.
Many Latin American interns speak Spanish or Portuguese as well as English, creating a valuable advantage for many businesses.
Ready to host Latin American interns at your business?
Request Interns →A Nashville-based B2B technology company needed bilingual sales talent with international awareness. Traditional recruiting was expensive and inconsistent.
The company brought in two business graduates from Spain. Within 60 days, they were sitting at desks on the sales floor.
Two years later, the company runs two cohorts per year and uses international interns as a meaningful part of its sales hiring pipeline.
Want to add international talent to your sales or business team?
Request Interns Now →Watch the step-by-step overview for host employers interested in requesting J-1 interns through TryInterns.
Ready to request interns?
Request Interns Now →Watch the step-by-step walkthrough for international students applying for a U.S. J-1 internship.
Ready to apply as a student?
Student Application →Welcome to WordPress. This is your first post. Edit or delete it, then start writing!
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Zero cost to employers. Pre-screened applicants. Interns arrive in ~60 days.