CIEE’s Role as Legal Sponsor

As an organization designated by the US Department of State to administer the Trainee Program, CIEE assumes a number of important duties and responsibilities that relate to, and define our relationship to all parties involved in the process, including program applicants and participants, Host Companies, overseas representatives, and the US government. While these responsibilities were designed in large part to safeguard against program misuse, they also serve to create a framework that fosters successful completion of a valuable practical training program.

Specifically, as a Legal Sponsor of international Trainees, CIEE provides the following services:

• Position search assistance for applicants
• An online posting board that helps Host Companies recruit international Trainees
• Review of training plans for suitability to applicant’s academic background and career objectives, and for compliance with US Department of State regulations
• Issuance of the requisite “Certificate of Eligibility for J-1 Visa” (Form DS-2019) to successful applicants
• Extensive orientation/preparation materials for participants
• Orientation letter for Host Companies
• Health insurance for the Trainee throughout program
• General program support and 24-hour emergency support helpline for Host Companies and participants
• Regional networking events for Trainees
• Ongoing monitoring of program through evaluations
• J-2 Visas for qualified dependents of the participant