Are you a French company or a U.S. company doing business with France? Let the J-1 visa facilitates your HR needs.

The Exchange Visitor Program At a Glance

The Exchange Visitor Program is a U.S. Department of State program aiming to encourage cultural exchange by allowing exchange visitors to come to the United States for up to 12 months as Interns (for students and recent graduates) or for up to 18 months as Trainees (young professionals) to participate in full time, paid, practical training programs.

The VIE Program (Volontariat International en Entreprise or International Internship Program) falls within the scope of the Exchange Visitor Program: the VIE candidate holds a J-1 Visa. According to their profile, the candidate can have either an intern status or a trainee status.

Through the US-wide French-American Chamber of Commerce network, FACCMI can officially sponsor J1-Visa.  We will guide you throughout the process whether you are a host company or an Intern/Trainee Candidate, and offer specific support throughout the J-1 visa sponsorship process.

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 an Active Membership in their local FACC Chapter. Contact [email protected] for more information on eligibility and fees.

What is the VIE Program?

The VIE is a hassle-free HR package offered by the French government (and facilitated by the FACC) that allows your company to easily recruit high-profile young professional trainees and interns from Europe. It is entirely flexible and provides several financial advantages, aimed at making your cross-border HR needs more manageable. Since its inception in 2001, 66,000 VIEs have been hosted by more than 6,600 companies worldwide. The VIE Program is a key tool for French companies to develop their business in new markets internationally, and thereby strengthen the French economic community across the globe. It is also an excellent opportunity for young people to gain solid professional experience internationally and develop their skills.

What are the benefits of the VIE Program?

  • The full cost of the VIE is charged to the French company, not the host company. In addition, the VIE Program is exempt from taxation in France. The company in France is also entitled to certain fiscal advantages (tax deductible for subsidies, tax credit for SMEs, etc.) as well as regional subsidies.
  • A variety of private sector assignments are possible, with durations ranging from 6 to 18 months in the U.S.
  • Pool of 35,000 qualified, young professionals waiting to learn from and contribute to your business. Companies can choose their trainee or intern candidates through their own recruitment methods, or the FACCMI & BUSINESS FRANCE can assist in the recruitment process.

Eligibility Requirements

Eligibility Requirements for Host Companies

In order to host an Exchange Visitor, the Host Company 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.

  • Intern/Trainee Program must be paid at least the local prevailing minimum wage;
  • Intern/Trainee Program must be on a full-time basis (32 – 40 hours per week);
  • Intern/Trainee Program is a bona-fide training program and does not constitute work;
  • Hosting company has to have sufficient structure and a dedicated manager on-site to provide proper supervision for Intern/Trainee;
  • Hosting company must agree to pay the FACC J-1 administrative fees;
  • Hosting Company must have valid FACC membership to their local chapter;

Eligibility Requirements for Candidates

To quality for a J-1 visa,

  • Your level of business English must be sufficient enough to fulfill your mission and communicate with your American colleagues.
  • Under a non-immigrant cultural exchange visa, you will have to return to your home country at the end of the program.
  • If you are currently enrolled in a post-secondary institution outside the United States OR have graduated from such an institution within the past 12 months, you will qualify for a J1 Intern status. Intern programs are limited to 12 months.
  • Exchange Visitors who have a degree or professional certificate from a post-secondary institution outside the United States AND at least one year of relevant full-time work experience outside the United States will qualify for a J1 Trainee status.  Trainee programs are limited to 18 months.

Process

For Host Companies

What is the process?

  1. Check your eligibility as a host company
  2. Contact us at [email protected] to start the process, verify your membership status (or become a member).
  3. Fill out the required documents sent by the FACC-NYC
  4. Pay your FACC Administrative Fee
  5. Prerequisite mandatory Site Visit by the FACC for new Host Company who have under $3 million in annual revenue in the U.S. or fewer than 25 full time employee

For Candidates

What is the process?

  1. Check your eligibility as an Intern/Trainee Candidate
  2. Email your resume to FACCMI ([email protected]). We will confirm your eligibility and define which program is right for you.
  3. Once your eligibility is confirmed, fill out the required documents sent by the FACC-NYC.
  4. Pay your FACC Administrative Fee.

VIE Candidates’ Profile & Global Presence

Graduates of Europe’s best schools and universities

Citizens of the European Economic Area

60% of candidates are between 25 and 29 years old

95% of candidates graduated with at least a Master’s Degree

130

Countries

10300

VIEs on Assignment

2000

Host Companies

The Role of the FACC

The FACC New York Chapter facilitates the application process and provides assistance throughout the program for all FACC chapters. After carefully reviewing a candidate’s qualifications, experience and motivations, they 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.

Their 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-NY is the only sponsor dedicated to the French-American business community and maintains strong relationships with U.S. and French government officials.

The FACCMI as your local contact

The FACCMI is your local partner and your link to the FACCNY. We will help you start the process and connect you with their Exchange Visitor Program Team. We can also help you find the right company to host you for you Internship or Traineeship, or we can connect your company with a potential Intern or Trainee. We also coordinate networking events for all J-1 Exchange Visitors.

For more information about the FACC J-1 visa program, please contact us at [email protected]

Join the FACC as a corporate member to be eligible to host exchange visitors & VIEs in Michigan!

BECOME A MEMBER CONTACT BUSINESS FRANCE

We are a non-profit, non-political organization dedicated to the development of commercial relations between French and American businesses.

c/o Wipfli
2000 Town Center, Suite 1800
Southfield, MI 48075

+ (248) 365-0535

Or reach us via email:
[email protected]

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get our president’s economic insights, our latest news
and event agenda straight to your email inbox!

By submitting this form, you are consenting to receive marketing emails from: . You can revoke your consent to receive emails at any time by using the SafeUnsubscribe® link, found at the bottom of every email. Emails are serviced by Constant Contact

Skip to content