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J-1 Visa Sponsorship with Responsive Guidance from IREX

Through the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program, U.S. organizations can welcome international professionals, scholars, interns, and trainees for temporary, structured opportunities that build skills, share knowledge, and strengthen global connections.

As a designated sponsor of the U.S. Department of State’s BridgeUSA Exchange Visitor Program, IREX helps host organizations, advisors, and exchange visitors determine whether J-1 sponsorship is the right fit and move forward with practical, reliable guidance.

Beyond the paperwork, IREX provides a service experience built on care, responsiveness, and close coordination. Our team listens first, clarifies requirements, keeps each party aligned, and helps address questions before they become delays—giving hosts, advisors, and participants confidence from the first conversation through program administration.

Ready to begin? Complete a J-1 Sponsorship Request today. IREX will review your information and help identify the right next step.

Start Your J-1 Sponsorship Request

Leading J-1 Sponsorship Support

The J-1 sponsorship process involves coordination between multiple parties—and it should not feel like guesswork. IREX combines decades of exchange program experience with a responsive, practical service model designed to help host businesses, attorneys, and participants move forward with confidence. We are collaborative, detail-oriented, and focused on creating durable value with partners by making the process clear, compliant, and well supported.

What We Do

• Assess proposed exchanges for potential J-1 category fit and explain options in clear, practical language.
• Support eligible Intern, Trainee, Research Scholar, Short-Term Scholar, Professor, Specialist, and University Student programs.
• Guide host organizations, attorneys, and participants through required documentation and next steps.
• Issue DS-2019 forms and administer SEVIS records for approved programs.
• Provide DS-7002 training plan guidance for Intern and Trainee programs.
• Support eligible J-2 dependents.
• Provide responsive communication and program support throughout the sponsorship lifecycle.

J-1 Categories IREX Supports

IREX supports a range of J-1 Visa categories, including Intern, Trainee, Research Scholar, Short-Term Scholar, Professor, Specialist, and University Student. If you know the category you need, tell us in the request form. If you are unsure, we can review the proposed activity, host organization, participant profile, and timing to help determine whether a J-1 pathway may be appropriate.

Helpful J-1 Sponsorship Resources

Need more details before you begin? Explore these focused resources, then return to the main page when you are ready to start your J-1 Sponsorship Request.

• Explore J-1 Sponsorship Categories: Compare J-1 categories supported by IREX, including Intern, Trainee, Research Scholar, Short-Term Scholar, Professor, Specialist, and University Student.
• Learn About Intern & Trainee Sponsorship: Review DS-7002 training plan expectations, occupational fields IREX supports, host requirements, and role restrictions.
• See How J-1 Sponsorship Works with IREX: Understand what IREX provides, what happens after you submit a request, and how IREX supports documentation, DS-2019 issuance, SEVIS administration, and eligible J-2 dependents.
• Read J-1 Sponsorship FAQs: Get answers to common questions about eligibility, host organizations, attorneys, remote roles, category selection, timelines, and next steps.

The IREX Advantage

Organizations choose IREX because they want more than a transaction. They want a trusted sponsor that understands and values global mobility and exchange, prioritizes partnership, communicates clearly, and helps them navigate immigration complexity with care. IREX staff have the necessary expertise in visa regulations and exchange program management, but what sets us apart is our responsive service, and a commitment to helping people learn, lead, and thrive through meaningful exchange.

• Quality: Careful eligibility review, accurate and timely immigration forms issuance, and responsible program administration.
• Care: A responsive team that listens first, understands your goals, and provides attentive, personalized advising from the first conversation forward.
• Responsive support: Direct and swift access to knowledgeable IREX staff—not just an automated system. Information is vital in immigration, and the IREX team is committed to returning calls and responding to emails quickly, making every effort to reply within one business day.
• Clear path forward: Practical guidance that helps US host businesses, attorneys, and participants clearly understand requirements and next steps, avoid unnecessary delays, and move forward efficiently.

Complete Your J-1 Sponsorship Request

Who Should Start a Request

• U.S. businesses planning to host international internships, training, research, teaching, specialist, or student exchange opportunities.
• Immigration attorneys, human resources and global mobility professionals, and other advisors seeking a responsive J-1 sponsor for client matters.
• Universities, research institutions, museums, nonprofits, companies, and program providers exploring visa pathways for international collaboration.
• Prospective J-1 participants who already have a U.S. host opportunity or are in discussion with a U.S. organization.

Start Today

The fastest way to begin is to complete a short request form. Share a few details about the proposed host organization, participant or client matter, exchange activity, preferred timeline, and category if known. IREX will review your submission and follow up with guidance on J-1 sponsorship eligibility and the appropriate next steps.

Start Your J-1 Sponsorship Request