UpdatesAs of July 19, 2007
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has significantly modified the J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program for trainees and interns. The new rule takes effect on July 19, 2007 and will apply to all DS-2019 forms issued on or after that date. The current distinction between non-specialty training and specialty training, will be replaced by the new intern (students and recent graduates) and trainee categories (young professionals). All future training plans for both trainees and interns must be completed on the new standardized Form DS-7002.
As this will affect your internship program we are kindly asking you to review this summary of the DOS’s interim final rule.
As of June 2007
Until recently German legal trainees completing a portion of their clerkship in the US were eligible for a B1 visitor visa.
As of June 2007 a new regulation by the US Department of State came into effect requiring J-1 visas for any legal internships including clerkships/Rechtsreferendare.
The German American Chamber of Commerce New York will gladly assist legal trainees and their host companies and/or law firms in obtaining the necessary J-1 visa.
For further information and visa applications please contact Kirsten Herrmann.
Phone: 212-974-8845, email: kherrmann(at)gaccny.com
As of March 16, 2006
The Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation announced the formation of a new Compliance Unit. This division seeks to clarify and provide guidance regarding improvements to the Exchange Visitor Programs. In order to better serve the Exchange Visitor Sponsor Organizations and their participants the Department encourages all Exchange Visitor Program Sponsors to include the following email address (jvisas(at)state.gov) so those with concerns can contact the Compliance Unit.
To review the memo sent to all Exchange Visitor Program please click here.
As of January 2, 2006:
The US Consulate in Germany has changed the number J-1 applicants are required to call in order to schedule appointments.
The new number is 0900 1-85005
The old number was 0190-850-55
Please make a note of this change. Further information can be found on the Consulate website by clicking here.
As of August 1, 2005:
Candidates applying at the German Consulates in Frankfurt or Berlin for a visa will be required to complete an online payment confirmation form. This is the new method for visa candidates to produce proof of payment for the visa-processing fee upon their Consulate interview. The payment confirmation is completed online and is delivered to the applicant’s email address free of charge.
A subsidiary of the Allianz Group, Rosko & Meier OHG, provides the confirmation service. Their website can be accessed by clicking here. The steps for this process are as follows:
One: Complete the form, as directed on the website and specify receipt delivery method.
Two: Those who receive the receipt via email will then receive information containing payment instructions and an account number for bank transfer. The visa application fee is currently EUR 85 per person.
Three: Once confirmation of the bank transfer has been made, usually within several days after the payment, the candidate will receive a digitally-signed receipt, which must be presented during the Consular interview.
The US Consulate does provide an alternative way to submit the visa fee. For applicants whose interview is scheduled to occur within 4 work days, if the candidate does not have internet access or for payment from abroad, one may submit the stamped bank receipt with the visa application after transferring the fee to the following bank account:
US Embassy, Dresdner Bank AG Berlin, Bank Routing Number (BLZ): 120 800 00; Account No. (Kontonr.): 405 125 7600
These rules, however, do not apply to travelers visiting on a Visa Waiver Program (Tourist Visa) and those who have already paid the fee prior to August 1, 2005. Further information can be found on the Consular website at www.usembassy.de UpdatesAs of March 16, 2006
The Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation announced the formation of a new Compliance Unit. This division seeks to clarify and provide guidance regarding improvements to the Exchange Visitor Programs. In order to better serve the Exchange Visitor Sponsor Organizations and their participants the Department encourages all Exchange Visitor Program Sponsors to include the following email address (jvisas(at)state.gov) so those with concerns can contact the Compliance Unit.
To review the memo sent to all Exchange Visitor Program please click here.
As of January 2, 2006:
The US Consulate in Germany has changed the number J-1 applicants are required to call in order to schedule appointments.
The new number is 0900 1-85005
The old number was 0190-850-55
Please make a note of this change. Further information can be found on the Consulate website by clicking here.
As of August 1, 2005:
Candidates applying at the German Consulates in Frankfurt or Berlin for a visa will be required to complete an online payment confirmation form. This is the new method for visa candidates to produce proof of payment for the visa-processing fee upon their Consulate interview. The payment confirmation is completed online and is delivered to the applicant’s email address free of charge.
A subsidiary of the Allianz Group, Rosko & Meier OHG, provides the confirmation service. Their website can be accessed by clicking here. The steps for this process are as follows:
One: Complete the form, as directed on the website and specify receipt delivery method.
Two: Those who receive the receipt via email will then receive information containing payment instructions and an account number for bank transfer. The visa application fee is currently EUR 85 per person.
Three: Once confirmation of the bank transfer has been made, usually within several days after the payment, the candidate will receive a digitally-signed receipt, which must be presented during the Consular interview.
The US Consulate does provide an alternative way to submit the visa fee. For applicants whose interview is scheduled to occur within 4 work days, if the candidate does not have internet access or for payment from abroad, one may submit the stamped bank receipt with the visa application after transferring the fee to the following bank account:
US Embassy, Dresdner Bank AG Berlin, Bank Routing Number (BLZ): 120 800 00; Account No. (Kontonr.): 405 125 7600
These rules, however, do not apply to travelers visiting on a Visa Waiver Program (Tourist Visa) and those who have already paid the fee prior to August 1, 2005. Further information can be found on the Consular website at www.usembassy.de |
