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U.S J-1 Intern and Trainee Program

The U.S. J-1 Culinary Internship and Trainee Program is a prestigious cultural exchange initiative by the U.S. Department of State.

Designed for students, recent graduates, and young culinary professionals, the program offers the opportunity to live, learn, and train in the United States for up to 12 months. Gain hands-on experience at some of America's leading hotels, resorts, and restaurants while developing your skills alongside industry professionals.

More than just training, the J-1 Program is an opportunity to experience American culture, share your own traditions, build lifelong friendships, earn while you learn, and take your career to the next level!

Our Application Process

Visa Requirements

Program Costs

Benefits of doing a U.S. J-1 Program?

Live in the United States for up to 12 months
Receive in-depth training in Culinary Arts, Pastry Arts, Rooms Division or Food & Beverage
Earn an hourly wage
At least 32 hours per week of training
Make friends from around the world

Learn about U.S. culture
Improve your English communication skills
Placements in 4 and 5 star hotels and resorts
Option to travel for 30 days before and after your program
Program lengths from 4 months to 12 months

Submit Application

Visa Requirements

There are two J-1 visa categories for our internship and training programs. Please find the requirements for both visas below:

J-1 Intern visa:

Candidates must currently be enrolled in a college or university OR have graduated within the past 12 months
The course candidates study or have studied is relevant to the J-1 program (for example: your studies are a Diploma in Culinary Arts and you're applying for a Culinary internship program)
The college you study at is accredited by your own national government or local authority
The candidate has access to emergency funds ($2,000 or more) through personal finances or by having a financial guarantor

J-1 Trainee visa:

Candidates must have graduated longer than 12 months ago AND have 12 months of full time work experience in their field of training (for example: you have worked as a commis chef and are applying for a Culinary training program) OR candidates have 5 years of full time work experience
The work experience was gained outside the United States
The course candidates have studied is relevant to the training program (for example: your studies are a Diploma in Culinary Arts and you're applying for a Culinary training program)
The college you studied at is accredited by your own national government or local authority
The candidate has access to emergency funds ($2,000 or more) through personal finances or by having a financial guarantor

Our Application Process

We keep the application process as simple as possible for your convenience. The average application takes around 3 months to complete, from the moment you apply to the moment your visa is approved. Please find the application steps here:

Submit your application using the online application form
Have a Teams interview with us
Pay your $400 program registration fee and send your CV in our format
Pick your top 3 preferred placements and have placement interviews
After a successful hotel interview, receive an offer letter confirming your placement
Settle your remaining program fees and collect documents for the visa sponsorship process
Your visa forms (DS2019 and Training Plan) are issued after we have received your documents
Visit the U.S. embassy. After a successful visa interview you receive your J-1 visa within a 5 business days
Secure housing, book your flight and start an amazing adventure in the United States!

Program Costs

The program costs below outline all the costs associated with the J-1 Intern or Trainee Program in the United States:

4 Month Program

Program registration fee: $400
Program fees: $1,695
SEVIS fee: $240

6 Month Program

Program registration fee: $400
Program fees: $2,695
SEVIS fee: $240

1 Year Program

Program registration fee: $400
Program fees: $3,850
SEVIS fee: $240

The program registration fee is payable after a screening interview with us has taken place. The program fees and SEVIS fee are payable after a placement has been secured, and before your visa documents are issued.

Exclusions:

Embassy processing fee: $185 (payable directly to the U.S. embassy)
Flight to and from the United States
Living costs, such as food, rent, transportation etc.

Submit Application

U.S J-1 Intern and Trainee Program

Benefits of doing a U.S. J-1 Program?

Live in the United States for up to 12 months

Receive in-depth training in Culinary Arts, Pastry Arts, Rooms Division or Food & Beverage

Learn about U.S. culture

Improve your English communication skills

Placements in 4 and 5 star hotels and resorts

Option to travel for 30 days before and after your program

Program lengths from 4 months to 12 months

Our Application Process

We keep the application process as simple as possible for your convenience.​ The average application takes around 3 months to complete, from the moment you apply to the moment your visa is approved. Please find the application steps here:

Submit your application using the online application form

Have a Teams interview with us

Pay your $400 program registration fee and send your CV in our format

Pick your top 3 preferred placements and have placement interviews

After a successful hotel interview, receive an offer letter confirming your placement

Settle your remaining program fees and collect documents for the visa sponsorship process

Your visa forms (DS2019 and Training Plan) are issued after we have received your documents

Visit the U.S. embassy. After a successful visa interview you receive your J-1 visa within a 5 business days

Secure housing, book your flight and start an amazing adventure in the United States!

We keep the application process as simple as possible for your convenience. The average application takes around 3 months to complete, from the moment you apply to the moment your visa is approved. Please find the application steps here: