FAQ for ITI

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How are trainees/interns admitted to the program?  Trainees/Interns must submit a completed application. Part of that application is information about the Host Site where the training/internship will take place.  Part of the application process includes an in-person or web-camp interview.

How can a trainee/intern get a visa to come to USA?  Trainees/Interns must get sponsorship from an authorized J-1 visa sponsor who can issue a DS-2019 form for these two program categories. Once the DS-2019 form is issued, the trainee/intern can apply for the J-1 visa at the U.S. Consulate in his/her home country.

What is the DS-2019 for? The DS-2019 form is the Certificate of Eligibility which proves that the participant is eligible to apply for a J-1 visa at the U.S. Consulate.

Is a DS-2019 form a visa?  No. The DS-2019 form is a sponsorship certificate which allows the trainee/intern to apply for the J-1 visa.  Having the DS-2019 form does not guarantee that the J-1 visa will be granted. The U.S. Consul stationed at the U.S. embassy makes this decision.

What is the I-94?  The I-94 card is issued at the port of entry to the U.S. and usually it gets stapled onto the passport. is where the immigration official indicates the end date of the visa.

How long can a trainee stay in the U.S.?  The maximum length of time the DS-2019 form can cover is eighteen continuous months (12 months maximum for training in Hospitality & Tourism). Trainees/Interns can stay in the U.S. for thirty days after the end date on their DS-2019 forms. This 30 days period is for travel within the U.S. only. No training is permitted during this period.

How long can an Intern stay in the U.S.? The maximum length of time the DS-2019 form can cover is twelve continuous months. Trainees/Interns can stay in the U.S. for thirty days after the end date on their DS-2019 forms. This 30 days period is for travel within the U.S. only. No training is permitted during this period.

Is there a minimum stay for Interns/Trainees?  Yes, 3 weeks.

Who is the Host Site?  The Host Site is the company or institution in the U.S. who signed an agreement with the International YMCA to provide training/internship according to a pre-approved training program.

Who identifies the Host Site?  Trainees/Interns can identify (secure) the Host Site in the U.S. where their training/internship will take place. Likewise, Host Sites may also identify the Trainee/Intern it would like to host in the U.S.

Can the International YMCA identify a Host Site for the Trainee/Intern

Applicant? No, the International YMCA currently does not act as a placement service. We do offer some very limited placement opportunities but for the most part Trainee/Intern applicants must identify the Host Site on their own.

Can the International YMCA identify a Trainee/Intern Applicant for the Host Site?  Yes, the International YMCA has an excellent group of Overseas Partners who are able to identify Trainee/Intern applicants that fit the Host Site profile and requirements.

Can the Trainee/Intern change Host Site?  No. Only in extremely rare cases does YMCA allow Host Site changes.

Can a Trainee/Intern work outside the Host Site?  No. Work is permitted only as on-the-job training described in the executed Training Plan submitted to the International YMCA. All other work is not permitted by the trainee's/intern’s J-1 visa and could result in severe fines for any employer hiring the trainee/intern outside of activities described on the Training Plan.

Who provides housing and food for the trainee?  This must be negotiated with the Host Site before accepting an offer.

Will the YMCA refund fees if the J-1 visa is denied or if the trainee/intern leaves the program early?  The International YMCA will refund 50% of the program fee and 100% of the insurance in the event of cancellation or visa denial when the host site or trainee/intern send written notification to the YMCA within 15 days of the start date on the DS-2019 form.  The program fee is non-refundable if the internship/training ends early for whatever reason. The YMCA will refund any unused portion of the sickness and accident insurance payment from the date written notification is received.
 

Can a trainee/intern leave the U.S. during the program?  If yes, what is required?  Yes, the International YMCA must:

·         Be informed in writing at least two weeks ahead of time.

• Written notification should be on the employer’s letterhead and include:
  
  • the trainee/intern name
  • Purpose of the trip and that the trainee/intern has approval to travel
  • the departure and return dates
  • the trainee/intern is in good standing with the host site
• The trainee/intern DS-2019 must be sent with the letter from the supervisor
• A self-addressed stamped envelope (preferably FedEx, or registered mail) must be enclosed within the envelope.
• A YMCA RO/ARO will then sign the DS-2019 form and send it back to the participant. The participant will need the signed DS-2019 form to reenter the U.S.

Do trainees/interns have vacation time?  This should be agreed upon with the host site at the time application is made to the program.

What’s the max number of days a trainee/intern may be absent from the program?  30 days is the maximum.

Do trainees/interns get sick time?  Sick time policies should be understood by the trainee/intern and the host site at the time application is made to the program.

Are trainees/interns free during the weekend to travel in the U.S.?  Trainees/interns should negotiate their schedules with their host supervisors.

Can the J-1 visa be changed to another visa category?  No, to change the visa to another visa category, the trainee/intern must leave the U.S. and apply for a new visa preferably in the home country.

What if the DS-2019 form is lost?  The YMCA must receive notice in writing explaining where the DS-2019 form was last seen, along with a check/money order for the reprint fee. The YMCA will send a replacement DS-2019 form.

Can the trainee/internship visa be extended?  If yes, what is the process?

Yes, if maximum allowed period has not already been granted.

If a trainee/intern/host company would like to extend a program, a request must be made in writing to the YMCA, and must include:

• Letter from host site requesting the extension
• Detailed amendment to the training plan outlining the new skills, knowledge and expertise that will be gained during the extended training period; the plan for supervision during the extended period; and the financial support to be provided during the extended period
• Mid-stay evaluation
• Check for program extension fee
• Insurance fee for the extended period

What other things must the participant and host site be aware of regarding program extensions?

·         An extension cannot be used to repeat what has already been covered in the original training plan, nor can it be used for “implementation” or “practice” of what was learned in the original training period. The training program should, from the start, encompass opportunities for practice and implementation through on-the-job-training. An extension should not be necessary to do this.

·         The Intern/Trainee does not need to get a new visa as long as he/she remain in the U.S. for the duration of the program.

·         When the extension is approved, the intern/trainee will receive a new DS-2019 form, which should be kept with the old one, with the passport. The new DS-2019 with the extended dates allows the participant to remain in the U.S. and continue the program. No new visa stamp is needed to continue the program.

·         Interns/trainees should not travel outside the U.S. with a visa extension as re-entry to the U.S. can be denied. The new extended DS-2019 form must be taken to the U.S. Embassy in the home country to obtain a new visa for the extension period. There is no guarantee that a new visa will be granted.

What is a two-year rule?  Some countries have signed treaties with the United States to prevent “brain-drain”. These treaties require trainees/interns to return to their home countries for two years after the conclusion of their J-1 program before applying for a new visa to the U.S. To find out if the two year rule is in effect, trainees/interns must check either with their consulate in the U.S. or with the U.S. Consulate in their country. The 2 year rule also applies when U.S. or home country government funds have been used to pay for the program.

How do you know if the two-year rule applies?  If the U.S. Embassy stamped “subject to the two-year rule” on the J-1 visa the two-year rule is in effect. If the visa does not bear this stamp, then the chances are the trainee/intern is not subject to this rule.

Can trainees/interns be placed in host sites in US territories?  Yes.

Is a stipend (pay) required?  No. There are cases where the trainee/intern does not receive a stipend. However, the YMCA must receive evidence that the trainee/intern has enough financial resources and support to cover living and expenses fore the duration of the program.

What stipend (pay) should be paid to a trainee/intern?

The stipend is negotiated between the host site and the participant. However, the YMCA expects trainees/interns to be paid similar to an American intern/trainee performing the same duties. Compensation must cover living and expenses.

Is there a limit to how much a trainee/intern can be paid?

There is no limit to the stipend. However, very high stipends may be questioned by the State Department as it can give the impression of employment rather than training.

Is the stipend (pay) subject to U.S. income tax?  Trainees/Interns earning a stipend from a U.S. host company are responsible for paying U.S. federal, state, and local (if applicable) income tax. They are exempt from Social Security or Medicare taxes. The tax return form is due on April 15^th each year.

If not earning a stipend from a U.S host site, does an income tax return still need to be filed?   Yes, the trainee/intern must still file a tax return that's due April 15, but no tax money will be owed.

Must trainees/interns apply for a Social Security? Yes.

Must the trainee/intern have their social security card before they can get paid?  No, trainee/interns can be paid with proof that they have applied for the social security card.

What happens if the program ends and the social security card has not been received?  Make an inquiry with the social security administration as to the status of the social security card. If one was issued, secure the social security number and apply for a replacement card.