Host Ambitious
Global Talent.

There are typically no placement or recruitment fees for Host Organizations. The program fees are paid by the participant (the intern/trainee). Your primary financial responsibility is to provide a stipend (wages) to the participant during their training. Some hosts choose to offer housing assistance or travel stipends as a perk, but this is optional.

No. You are the Host Organization, not the Visa Sponsor. Bridge Aspire acts as a program coordinator; we partner with Department Of Sate-designated sponsors who hold the legal authority to issue the DS-2019 form. We manage the logistics and training plans, while the designated sponsor provides the legal sponsorship and oversight.

J-1 Interns and Trainees are generally exempt from FICA (Social Security and Medicare) and FUTA (Federal Unemployment) taxes. This can save your organization approximately 7-8% in payroll taxes compared to a domestic employee. They are, however, subject to federal, state, and local income taxes. We always recommend consulting your tax professional for specific guidance.

From the time you interview and select a candidate, it typically takes 8 to 12 weeks for the participant to arrive in the USA. This timeline includes vetting your company (if new), drafting the DS-7002 Training Plan, and the participant’s embassy interview.

Yes, but you do not need to provide it. Department of State regulations require all J-1 participants to have compliant health insurance. This is included in the program fees paid by the participant (or facilitated through our host-funded program model), covering them from the moment they arrive until their program ends.

The DS-7002 (Training/Internship Placement Plan) is a government form that outlines what the participant will learn. It acts as a syllabus for the program. Bridge Aspire assists you in drafting this document to ensure it meets regulatory standards, focusing on skills acquisition rather than standard labor.

Yes. We conduct rigorous pre-screening interviews to ensure all candidates have advanced to near-native English proficiency. Most of our candidates come from the UK, Ireland, and Northern Europe, where English fluency is standard in higher education.

The J-1 Visa is a non-immigrant cultural exchange visa with a strict intent to return home. It is not a bridge to permanent employment or an H-1B visa. Participants are expected to return to their home countries to share the skills and culture they learned in the USA.

To be eligible, your company must have a valid FEIN (Federal Employer Identification Number), a current Workers’ Compensation policy, and sufficient professional staff to provide supervision (typically a ratio of at least 5 full-time employees per 1 intern is recommended to ensure proper mentorship), and have a minimum of 25 employees.

You are not legally required to provide housing, but assisting with housing is a huge competitive advantage. Many hosts in high-cost areas or seasonal resorts offer subsidized employee housing or, at a minimum, provide a vetted list of affordable local rentals to help participants settle in.

In collaboration with our visa sponsor partners, 24/7 on-ground support is provided. If an issue arises, we work directly with the sponsor’s compliance team to mediate and provide guidance.

Yes, but the training must be rotational and upper-level. For example, a hospitality intern might spend 2 months in Front Desk, 2 months in Concierge, and 2 months in Events/F&B Management. Placements that consist solely of housekeeping, bussing tables, or unskilled labor are strictly prohibited under J-1 regulations.