Exchange Visitor Program - Visa Sponsor
Suspension of the Exchange Visitor Program Still in Effect
Presidential Proclamation Extended
Community News, J-1 & YE | January 05, 2021
On December 31, 2020, President Trump extended Proclamation 10052 (suspending entry of various non-resident alien visa categories) until March 31, 2021. The full provisions of this extension can be consulted on the White House website.
Quick facts:
- Presidential Proclamation 10052 took effect June 24, 2020 and is now in effect
- until March 31, 2021.
- The H-1B, H-2B, L and J visa categories are concerned (includes J-1 Interns and Trainees).
- This proclamation applies to new and renewing visa applicants but will not invalidate the visas of current visa holders.
For over 45 years the FACC has been a trusted sponsor, accredited and mandated by the Department of State to administer the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program. As a sponsor, we remain committed to the health, safety, and wellbeing of program participants, now and in the future. Our team will continue to provide program oversight and customer service to Exchange Visitors, Host Companies and members of the Chamber.
Pursuant to the extension of these proclamations, we are maintaining our suspension of the processing of new, incoming J-1 Exchange Visitor requests until:
- Presidential Proclamation 10052 on visa suspensions is lifted.
- Presidential Proclamation 9993 on travel restrictions from the Schengen area countries is lifted.
- U.S. Embassies are able to resume routine visa services for J visas.
We will continue to keep our entire community updated as the situation evolves.
For Exchange Visitors: please refer to our Frequently Asked Questions here.
International Inbound
The French-American Chamber of Commerce is a U.S. Department of State designated J-1 visa sponsor for the Intern and Trainee Exchange Visitor Programs. We are proud to have sponsored qualified candidates for international exchange for nearly half a century. As an Exchange Visitor Program sponsor, we actively promote the mission of the Fulbright-Hays Act of 1961 which aims to increase mutual understanding through exchange experiences. This program utilizes the J-1 visa, which is a non-immigrant visa issued by the United States Department of State.
About the Exchange Visitor Program
The Exchange Visitor Program encourages cultural exchange by allowing exchange visitors to come to the United States for up to 12 months as Interns or up to 18 months as Trainees to participate in full-time, paid, practical training programs at eligible FACC member companies. These programs are extremely beneficial for both candidates and host companies and serve to further understanding and diplomatic ties between the U.S. and the world. Our candidates gain valuable experience in fields as diverse as finance, engineering, law, communications and tech, while our host companies get the benefit of top international talent while helping to train the leaders of tomorrow. In addition to professional experience, the FACC coordinates year-round American cultural events for our J-1 Exchange Visitors, promoting American cultural exposure and networking opportunities nationwide.
In order to host an Exchange Visitor, companies must adhere to certain structural requirements in order to ensure that the intern or trainee is adequately supervised, in accordance with the mission of the Exchange Visitor Program. Additionally, the host company must maintain a minimum of an Active Level Membership in their local FACC Chapter. Consult additional details on eligibility & fees here or contact us to discuss.
The FACC as Your Visa Sponsor
As a sponsor, the FACC facilitates the application process and provides assistance throughout the program. After carefully reviewing a candidate’s qualifications, experience and motivations, we determine whether the candidate is eligible for the program and, if so, issue the Certificate of Eligibility (DS-2019) to allow the application to proceed to the next step: visa issuance at the American Embassy.
Our International Career Development Programs (ICDP) team’s industry-leading processing times ensures the visa process is fast and seamless. Each application receives a dedicated, bilingual (English and French) Account Manager who follows the process from start to finish. The FACC is the only sponsor dedicated to the French-American business community and maintains strong relationships with U.S. and French government officials. Through our CareerConnect platform, we facilitate the connections between our member companies and qualified candidates.