Work or Training or Both? - J-1 Visa as a Non-Immigrant Alternative to Employment-Based Immigration
The Great Resignation continues to hinder the economic recovery in the United States. Bringing foreign talent could provide a temporary relief while opening opportunities for professional and cultural exchange. Securing a work visa may, however, be a long, expensive, and complicated process. This session will focus on J-1 visa that can be a non-immigrant alternative to work visas. The session will discuss the J-1 visa requirements, application, and compliance.
Learning Objectives:
- Basics of the Exchange Visitor/J-1 intern and trainee programs.
- Common usages of J-1 training and internship programs by U.S. businesses.
- J-1 as a viable alternative to employment-based training and work visas.
- Update on the current status of J-1 visa programs.
In-person session offerings are on a first-come, first-served basis.
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If a speaker has provided session materials, please visit https://presentations.shrm.org
Lindsay Bongi
Ms. Bongi is the Senior Specialist, Exchange Visitor Program, working with SHRM’s intern and trainee program participants and sponsor organizations. Ms. Bongi comes to SHRM with years of experience assisting young professionals and host companies in the J-1 intern and trainee visa sponsorship process. She has been involved with the Exchange Visitor program since 2012 and in her free time, counsels and monitors J-1 high school exchange students and host families as a Local Coordinator. In addition to her work in international exchange, Ms. Bongi previously has also created a Department of Labor registered culinary apprenticeship program and has experience teaching Talent Management Training and Train the Trainer courses. Her background is in financial reporting and accounting and she spent the early part of her career working for companies such as JPMorgan and America Online. Ms. Bongi earned her MS in School Counseling from Long Island University and her BS in Finance from Pennsylvania State University.
Jerrika Andersen Edwards
Ms. Jerrika Anderson Edwards is SHRM’s Exchange Visitor Program Senior Coordinator and ARO. Jerrika came to SHRM with more than five years of experience in international education and professional exchanges. After receiving her Bachelor's degree from Scripps College, Jerrika lived in Senegal, South Korea, and China. Jerrika's professional experience includes working as an English language teacher, working with the J-1 intern and trainee program, and most recently working with J-1 and F-1 students. Jerrika completed a Master's degree in Organizational Leadership and Learning from The George Washington University in 2022. She is excited to apply her skills and experience to the SHRM team.