AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION

Section of International Law 1050 Connecticut Ave, NW, Suite 400

Washington, DC 20036 Phone: (202) 662-1675

FAX: (202) 662-1669 Email: intilex@americanbar.org http://ambar.org/ilex

December 2016 

J‐1 VISA APPLICATION INFORMATION FOR HOST LAW FIRMS & VISA APPLICANTS  

The ABA  Section of  International  Law’s  J‐1 Visa Office will  facilitate  the  issuance of  the  J‐1 Visa  for international attorneys to come to the United States to receive practical training at a law firm, or law office, only if he/she has received an offer in writing from a host firm. The Section is unable to process J‐1 visas for interns or any other training category except for legal related training programs.   Under the U.S. Department of State’s regulations, trainees must: 

hold a degree from a post‐secondary academic institution outside of the U.S. and have at least one year of prior related work experience in their occupational field acquired outside of the United States; 

possess verifiable English language skills sufficient to function on a day‐to‐day basis. Trainees’ English  language skills must be verified by a  recognized English  language test,  by  signed  documentation  from  an  academic  institution  or  English  language school; and 

complete an acceptable training placement plan (form DS‐7002). 

Further information can be found in the U.S. State Department’s regulations by clicking here  (see § 62.22 Trainees and interns).  Host organizations and firms that employ fewer than 25 employees (at the specific training site) or earn less than three million dollars in annual revenue who have not previously participated successfully in a training program with  the Section will need  to ensure  their host organization or  firm possesses and maintains the ability and resources to provide structured and guided work‐based learning experiences according to the training placement plan. Host organizations and firms can arrange for a site visit to be conducted  by  our  staff  at  the  organization’s  or  trainee’s  expense  or  may  partner  with  a  larger organization or firm for the training program.  In order to apply for the J‐1 Visa through the ABA Section of International Law, the trainee must complete the J‐1 Visa Training Program Application as well as all items listed below (further explanation provided for  some  items). All  components  of  the  application  should  be  original,  signed  documents,  unless otherwise noted, and  sent directly  to  the  J‐1 Visa Office  for processing. A DS‐2019  form will not be processed until all required information is received, which includes the following:  

1) completed J‐1 Visa Training Program Application;  2) personal statement; 3) letter from host firm confirming training program; 4) proof of English language proficiency if non‐native English speaker; 5) two letters of reference on letterhead; 

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6) proof of health and repatriation insurance (including dependents, if applicable); 7) copy  of  the  host  organization’s  workers’  compensation  certificate  (or  proof  of 

exemption); 8) reference to total compensation during the training period including verification;  9) payment  of  J‐1  Visa  processing  fee  (for  payments made  by  credit  card,  there  is  an 

additional 5% service charge; for payments made by wire transfer there is an additional $25 charge per wire transfer) as follows: 

J‐1 Visa processing (two to four weeks)    $1,300 Expedited processing fee (five business days1)  $500 J‐2 Visa processing fee (each visa)      $500 

10) completed DS‐7002 (via email in PDF fillable form and hard copy with original signatures); 11) resume or curriculum vitae; 12) copies of educational documents including diplomas and certificates; 13) copy of the applicant’s and any J‐2 visa applicants’ passports2; and 14) prepaid return UPS or FedEx shipping label to either the trainee or host firm. 

 If possible, please send the application materials electronically as PDFs to the J‐1 Visa Office via email (intilex@americanbar.org) before sending the hard copy application. This allows the J‐1 Visa Office to review the application and alert the applicant and host firm as to any questions or concerns related to the materials before receiving the final documents. 

Once a complete application is received, it can take up to four weeks to process, but generally they are processed within  two weeks. Please see  the U.S. State Department’s website  for visa wait  times  for interview appointments and processing: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/wait_4638.html.   1.   The  application  form  (found  attached  to  these  instructions) must  be  typed  and  include  the 

trainee’s  original  signature.  (Answers  can  be  directly  inputted  into  the  PDF  form  and  then printed).  

 2.  Personal  statement: on a  separate page, please  state  in detail  (300‐500 words) your  specific 

reasons for seeking training from a law firm or law office in the U.S. under the auspices of the ABA Section of International Law’s ILEX J‐1 Visa Program.  

 3.   Letter  from  the host  firm should be on  letterhead and  include an original signature  from  the 

supervisor or human resources department identifying the trainee’s program offer and dates. If applicable, the letter should include whether or not the trainee will receive a stipend during the program and can also verify the trainee’s English language proficiency (see item four below).   

 4.  (No.  12  on  application  form)  –  Please  list  the  languages  that  you  speak.  Under  the  U.S. 

Department of State regulations for the J‐1 Visa, trainees whose native language is not English must have verifiable English language skills sufficient to function on a day‐to‐day basis. Trainees’ English skills must be verified by a recognized  language test or signed original documentation 

1 For expedited processing, once a complete application is received, the DS‐2019 will be processed within five business days. 2 Please note also that your passport is required to be valid for the entirety of your stay in the U.S. during the training program. Only the biographical information page of your passport is needed, along with a copy of any U.S. visas.

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from  an  academic  institution  or  English  language  school.  Recognized  English  language  tests include:  Test  of  Spoken  English  (TSE),  Test  of  English  as  a  Foreign  Language  (TOEFL),  or International  English  Language  Testing  System  (IELTS). A  copy of  your examination  score or signed original documentation from an academic institution or English language school must be included in your application. If you are unable to take a TOEFL exam, an original signed letter from the host firm on letterhead verifying your English language skills is acceptable. 

 5.   (No. 17 on application form) – Applicants should attach two reference letters to the application. 

The letters should be as specific as possible about the applicant’s experience, qualifications and personal points on why the applicant is well‐suited for a legal training program in the U.S.; a letter simply  stating  that  the  reference personally  knows  the  applicant  and notation of  their work accomplishments is not acceptable. The letters must be from two separate sources (i.e. not from two lawyers at the same firm or organization) and on letterhead with an original signature. 

 6.  (No. 18 on application  form) – Applicants are  required  to submit written proof of health and 

repatriation  insurance coverage  for  the period  they will be  in  the U.S.  receiving  training. The insurance  should  cover medical benefits of:  (1) at  least $100,000 per accident or  illness;  (2) repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000; (3) medical evacuation of trainee to his/her home country of $50,000; and (4) deductible per accident/illness not to exceed $500. A copy of the  insurance  company’s  coverage  of  the  trainee  must  be  included  with  the  application. Insurance  requirements  remain  the  same  for  J‐2 visa applicants. Failure  to  include  insurance coverage documentation can jeopardize the trainee’s stay in the U.S. and will be reported to the State Department’s  immigration system.  J‐1 applicants and  their  J‐2 dependents may also be subject to the requirements of the Affordable Care Act.  

 7.   In  addition,  applicants  are  required  to  include  a  copy  of  their  host  organization’s workers’ 

compensation certificate (or proof of exemption).    8.   (No. 21 on application form) – Except in those cases that hosts will offer the trainee a salary or 

stipend, each applicant must be prepared to finance the entire undertaking from his/her own resources. Please list all compensation sources during the training period, either from the host firm or  government, or  state  that  you will be  using  your  personal  funds.  If  funding  is being received from an outside source, verification of the amount from the source must accompany the application.  If  self‐financed, a  specific dollar amount of available personal  funds must be noted,  but  no  verification  is  needed.  A  specific  amount  of  funding must  be  listed  sufficient enough to cover living expenses during the entire stay in the U.S. 

 9.  The  J‐1 Visa Training Program application  fee,  in  the amount of U.S. $1300,  should be made 

payable  to  ABA/ILEX.  Any  accompanying  family members will  need  a  J‐2  Visa.  The  J‐2  Visa application processing fee is U.S. $500 per visa. The application fee may be paid via a check from a U.S. bank account. For payments processed by  credit  card,  there  is a 5%  service  charge  in additional  to  the  application  fee  and  for  payments  processed  by  wire  transfer  there  is  an additional $25 service charge for each wire transfer. 

 10.   a) The training placement plan (form DS‐7002) should be completed and enclosed with the entire 

application package. This form must also be typed and the mailed hard copy version must include 

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original signatures. A training placement plan must include at least three, comprehensive phases (a minimum of  five  separate phases  are  required  if  applying  for  a  year up  to  the maximum placement period of 18 months). (No. 7 on application form) – The minimum placement period is  three months;  the maximum  is  eighteen months.  Page  3  of  the DS‐7002  form  should  be duplicated and filled out as necessary to include all phases. 

 b)  (No.  20  on  application  form)  –  Applicants  are  required  to  fill  out  the  Cross‐cultural Programming  Plan  in  the  application  (and  as  required  on  the DS‐7002  training  plan).  Cross‐cultural exchanges are an important component of any J‐1 visa training program. The programs provide valuable opportunities for exchange visitors and Americans to engage with each other, to  inform  each  other’s  thinking  about  the  global  community,  to  break  down  prejudices  and misunderstandings, and to expand and strengthen the relationships between Americans and the rest of the world. Given this importance, we require applicants and their host organizations to actively plan and organize regular cross‐cultural events over the course of the applicant’s training program.  In addition to send the mailed hard copy as a part of the application, you must also email the electronic PDF  fillable version of the document phases without signatures  (not the scanned version). 

 11.   Please send copies of the first pages of your passport (biographical details) along with any pages 

that have previous visas. **Please note also that your passport  is required to be valid for the entirety of your stay in the U.S. during the training program.  

 Please note: the starting date that appears on the DS‐2019 is the date the trainee is expected to arrive in the U.S. to begin his/her training. Therefore, the host firm should allow ample time for the trainee to get settled before starting. U.S. immigration will allow a J‐1 visa holder to enter the U.S. up to 30 days before their program begins, if necessary. The J‐1 Visa Program Office will not issue a DS‐2019 form to extend  a  training program.  If  the  trainee needs  a  replacement DS‐2019  form  any  time during  their training period, a replacement fee of U.S. $500 will be charged.   After the DS‐2019 and signed DS‐7002 are issued and the applicant is registered in SEVIS, the following should be noted as  requirements  to  complete  the application process and ensure  the  ILEX office  is updated on any changes to the trainee’s status:     

Applicants  should  conduct  their  visa  interviews  in  their  home  country  or  country  of  legal permanent residency as applicants should demonstrate  ties  to  the country  in which  they are interviewing. Changing visa status (i.e. from F‐1/OPT or otherwise) cannot be done within the U.S. J‐1 applicants must conduct their interviews abroad and re‐enter the U.S. on J‐1 Visa in order to change status properly.    

All  applicants  for  J‐1  exchange  visitor  visas must  pay  a  fee  via  credit  card  online  for  the maintenance  of  the  Immigration  Service’s  J‐1  exchange  visitor  administrative  database.  The administrative fee must be paid at least three days before the applicant’s visa interview with the consular officer. This fee is in addition to the J‐1 Visa Training Program Application fee and if you 

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do  not  pay  it,  you will  not  be  issued  a  J‐1  nonimmigrant  visa  for  admission  to  the U.S.  For additional information, please refer to the website: www.FMJfee.com.  

 

Applicants must notify the J‐1 Visa Program Office if there are any changes of address or other information which in any way would affect their participation in the program. Trainees or their supervisors must contact the ABA upon the commencement of the trainee’s program including the trainee’s  local address  immediately so the trainee’s program can be validated  in the State Department’s SEVIS system. Failure to do so could place the trainee on “no show” or “invalid” status in SEVIS. 

 

At  the end of  the  training program, a brief 1‐2 page  report describing professional activities conducted and any cultural activities arranged by the host firm during the course of stay will be required. This  report must be  reviewed and signed by  the host  firm. For programs  lasting six months or longer, a mid‐point evaluation is also required. A copy of the report must be sent to the J‐1 Visa Program Office within 60 days of your departure from the U.S. 

ABA Section of International Law ILEX J-1 Visa Training Program Application

1. First Name Middle Name

Family Name

(This should reflect your name in your passport.)

2. Date and Place of Birth

Mo./Day/Year City State/Province Country

Gender Male Female

3. Country of Present Citizenship

4. Current Mailing Address

5. Permanent Address (if different from above)

6. Telephone Numbers and Email Address

Office Fax

Mobile Home

Email (where you can be reached during your training program)

7. Training Period

From To

Month/Day/Year Month/Day/Year

Under the U.S. Department of State regulations for the J-1 Visa the maximum duration of a training program is 18 months. The minimum is three months.

* Please be advised that the ILEX office will not extend a training program. *

8. Trainee Placement Firm/Company Name and Location.

Legal Office Name

City and StateDecember 2016 1

9. Marital Status married single

Will your spouse and/or children accompany you during your placement? Yes No

(If yes, please fill in the following information)

First Name Middle Name

Family Name Male Female

Date and Place of Birth (City, Country)

First Name Middle Name

Family Name Male Female

Date and Place of Birth (City, Country)

First Name Middle Name

Family Name Male Female

Date and Place of Birth (City, Country)

(Please attach a separate page for additional dependents if necessary.)

10. Academic Background. List academic institutions attended beyond secondary (preparatory) schooland include any current registration in a degree program or professional enrichment course, specialinstitute, etc. Under the U.S. Department of State’s regulations for the J-1 Visa, trainees must possess adegree or professional certificate from a post-secondary academic institution outside of the U.S.

Name and Location of Institute

Subject(s) Studied Diploma/Degree Date Awarded (Month/Year)

Name and Location of Institute

Subject(s) Studied Diploma/Degree Date Awarded (Month/Year)

Name and Location of Institute

Subject(s) Studied Diploma/Degree Date Awarded (Month/Year)

11. Date and place of admission to practice law.

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12. Language Proficiency. (List native language first.) Under the U.S. Department of State regulationsfor the J-1 Visa, trainees whose native language is not English must have verifiable English language skillssufficient to function on a day-to-day basis. Trainees’ English language skills must be verified by arecognized language test or signed original documentation from an academic institution or Englishlanguage school. A copy of your examination score or signed original documentation froman academic institution or English language school must be included in your application.

Language Language

Speaking Yes No Speaking Yes No

Reading Yes No Reading Yes No

Writing Yes No Writing Yes No

Language Language

Speaking Yes No Speaking Yes No

Reading Yes No Reading Yes No

Writing Yes No Writing Yes No

13. Employment History. List employment positions held (full time; part time; salaried; pro bono) – beginwith current or most recent position. (Attach additional pages if necessary.) Under the U.S.Department of State regulations for the J-1 Visa, trainees must have at least one year of prior relatedwork experience in his/her occupational field acquired outside of the U.S.

Employer and Address

Duties Performed

Date of Employment

Employer and Address

Duties Performed

Date of Employment

Employer and Address

Duties Performed

Date of Employment

14. Previous U.S. Visas. Have you previously received another U.S. Visa (such as F-1, H-1)? If so, pleaselist:

Visa Type Dates

December 2016 3

15. Training Area. Select the area(s) in which you will receive training in the U.S. and your level ofexperience at the present time.

Training Area: Check the box; Experience Level: (A-D) A is highest; D is lowest

Administrative Law Environmental Law

Antitrust Law Family Law

Banking and Finance General Practice

Commerce and Trade Individual and Civil Rights

Corporation and Business Law Initial Court of Record

Criminal Law Insurance, Negligence & Compensation

Judiciary Public Interest Law

Labor Relations Law (Management) Public International Law

Labor Relations Law (Union) Real Estate Law

Law Enforcement State (District)

Legal Aid Tax Law

Legislature Trial Court

Local Appellate Court

National Supreme (High) Court of the Country

Patent, Trademark & Copyright Law Other:

Permanent Special Court Other:

Probate and Trust Law Other:

16. Professional Activities. (include professional seminars or law classes taught; major publications;active membership in civic or service clubs, local bar association; pro bono work, etc.) Attach additionalpages if necessary.

17. References. Please provide two unique reference letters from different sources (different law firmsand organizations) on letterhead with the following information:

Name and Position

Relationship to You

Address

Name and Position

Relationship to You

Address

December 2016 4

18. Health Insurance and Workers’ Compensation. Include the name of your health insurance andpolicy number. Applicants are required to submit an attached statement of proof that the insurancepolicy will cover health and repatriation costs during the entire stay of the applicant in the U.S. Pleasesee application instructions for more information. In addition, applicants are required to submit a copyof their host organization’s workers’ compensation certificate (or proof of exemption).

Insurance Company:

Policy Number:

19. Personal Statement. On a separate page, please state in detail (300-500 words) your specificreasons for seeking training from a law firm or law office in the U.S. under the auspices of the ABASection of International Law’s ILEX J-1 Visa Program.

20. Cross-cultural Programming Plan for ILEX J-1 Visa Applicants and Host Organizations.Cross-cultural exchanges are an important component of any J-1 visa training program. The programsprovide valuable opportunities for exchange visitors and Americans to engage with each other, toinform each other’s thinking about the global community, to break down prejudices andmisunderstandings, and to expand and strengthen the relationships between Americans and the rest ofthe world. Given this importance, we require applicants and their host organizations to actively planand organize regular cross-cultural events over the course of the applicant’s training program.

Cross-cultural programs can be built around any number of general themes that trainees might like tolearn more about during their time in the U.S. Themes could include, but are not limited to, thefollowing: American history; holidays and food; the media; local and national government; Americansports and parks; American culture, film, theater, and the arts. These themes and others can help setthe stage for possible activities that are planned during the applicant’s training program. Applicants andhost organizations are encouraged to consider the unique opportunities available at the localcommunity level wherever the host organization is located.

In the space below, please list and describe possible cross-cultural exchange opportunities that may beavailable and of interest to the applicant during his/her time in the U.S. (these should also be listed oneach phase sheet of the applicant’s DS-7002 form in the Knowledge, Skills, or Techniques section):

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21. I understand that as a trainee in the ILEX J-1 Visa Program, I am fully and solelyresponsible for my own financial maintenance throughout the training period and that Iam working at a host office on a full-time basis. I also understand that I cannot undertakeany other work or academic studies during my training program.

Compensation. Please state total compensation during the training period from the host firm,government (if any) or your personal funds. If funding is received from a third party, verification fromthe source is required. If you are using your own personal funds, an exact amount must be stated thatyou have at your disposal during your training program

Original Signature

Printed Name

Date

Please return this application form to:

Tel: +1-202-662-1675 Fax: +1-202-662-1669 intilex@americanbar.org http://ambar.org/ilex

Somayina BoardmanILEX J-1 Visa Program ABA Section of International Law 1050 Connecticut Avenue NW Suite 400 Washington, DC 20036, USA

December 2016 6

December 2016 7

ABA Section of International Law ILEX J-1 Visa Training Program Application Checklist

All components of the application should be original, signed documents and translated in English, unless otherwise noted and sent directly to the ILEX J-1 Visa Office for processing. A DS-2019 form* will not be processed until all required information is received, which includes the following:

Completed ILEX J-1 Visa Training Program Application – must be typed (answers can be directly inputted into the PDF form and then printed)

Copy of your passport (and any dependents’ passports, if applying for a J-2 visa)

Copies of educational documents including diplomas and certificates

Completed DS-7002 (including original signatures) – must be typed

Placement plan must include at least three comprehensive phases (for training programs less than a year); for training programs more than a year, but less than 18 months, there should be four phases; and a minimum of five phases if applying for a 18-month training program

Proof of English language proficiency if non-native English speaker

Two original letters of reference on letterhead

Proof of health and repatriation insurance with coverage dates (including dependents’ coverage, if applicable)

Copy of the host organization’s workers’ compensation certificate (or proof of exemption)

Resume or curriculum vitae

Personal statement (300-500 words)

Reference to total compensation and/or personal funds during the training program including verification

Prepaid return UPS or FedEx shipping label addressed to either the trainee or host firm

Payment of U.S. $1300 for the J-1 Visa processing fee (processed in two to four weeks), additional $500 expedited processing fee (processed within five business days once a complete application is received) and $500 for each J-2 Visa. For payments made by credit card, there is an additional 5% service charge; for payments made by wire transfer, there is an additional $25 charge per wire transfer.

** If a trainee needs a replacement DS-2019 form any during the training program, a replacement fee of U.S. $500 will be charged. **