UpdatesIntern and Trainee Categories
The U.S. Department of State (DOS) has significantly modified the J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program for trainees and interns. The new rule took effect on July 19, 2007 and will apply to all DS-2019 forms issued on or after that date. The past distinction between non-specialty training and specialty training, was replaced by the new intern (students and recent graduates) and trainee categories (young professionals). All training plans for both trainees and interns must be completed on the new standardized Form DS-7002. (as of July 19, 2007)
J-1 for Legal Trainees
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/Rechtsreferendariat.
The GACC New York will gladly assist legal trainees and their host companies and/or law firms in obtaining the necessary J-1 visa. (as of June 2007)
For further information and visa applications please contact Kirsten Herrmann.
Phone: 212-974-8845, email: kherrmann(at)gaccny.com
Compliance Unit Email
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 of State 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. (as of March 16, 2006)
To review the memo sent to all Exchange Visitor Program please click here.
Consulate Appointment Phone Number
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
Please make a note of this change. Further information can be found on the Consulate website by clicking here. (as of January 2, 2006)
Payment Confirmation
Candidates applying at the U.S. Consulates in Frankfurt, Munich or Berlin for a J-1 visa are 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: Online applicants receive an email message 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 as proof of payment.
Persons applying in Germany for a visa to travel to the U.S. are required to complete this online payment confirmation form. 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 (as of August 1, 2005) |
