Please see one of the sections below for specific information regarding Marriott International's sponsorship program. These files require the use of Adobe Acrobat to view them. If you do not have Acrobat, please check here for
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Important J-1 Facts for Trainees
Under the auspices of the Department of State's (DOS) Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, Marriott is designated as a sponsor of an Exchange Program. The purpose of the program is to bring qualified foreign trainees to the U.S. as J-1 exchange visitors for a
period not to exceed 18 months in the fields of Management, Business, Commerce and Finance to engage in qualifying training at Marriott's properties and to promote the general interest of international educational and cultural exchange.
The Immigration Services Department (ISD) administers Marriott's program. As a sponsor, Marriott complies with all rules and regulations set forth by DOS and the U.S. Immigration & Naturalization Service (INS) related to J-1 Visas.
This program allows Marriott to bring qualified foreign nationals to the U.S. for
supervisory, managerial or professional practical training. The major purposes of Marriott's program are to:
- Improve the exchange visitor's knowledge of U.S. business techniques, skills and philosophies through active participation in the day-to-day operations at the training location(s).
- Enable the exchange visitor to further educational and cultural understanding of U.S. daily life.
- Improve the exchange visitor's English language competency (if applicable).
- Improve American knowledge of a foreign culture by providing an open interchange of ideas between foreign trainees and their American counterparts.
Eligibility Criteria
Participation in this program will be based upon the following criteria, among others:
- Possess some experience or academic background in the area of intended training.
- Maintain a foreign residence which the exchange visitor has no intention of abandoning.
- Possess basic English knowledge, to be able to function in an English-speaking business environment.
- ISD may issue a certificate of eligibility (Form IAP-66) to a J-1 exchange visitor for a period of up to 18 months.
- An extension of stay and/or a J-1 Visa renewal may be secured only if less than 18 months was originally requested.
Exchange Visitor's Responsibilities
The exchange visitor will be responsible for the following:
- Provide Marriott with accurate information by completing the appropriate paperwork in a timely manner.
- Seek to transfer training experience abroad by leaving the U.S. immediately upon expiration of J-1 stay.
- Travel back to his/her country of citizenship or permanent residence and obtain the J-1 Visa, if already in the U.S. under different visa category. Certificates of eligibility will only be issued to candidates outside the U.S.
- Ensure that the evaluation forms sent on a regular basis are completed and sent to ISD in a timely manner.
- Pass pre-employment tests, which are administered according to Marriott's local procedures.
- Provide copies of J-1 Visa, I-94 Form, Form IAP-66 and any other documents to ISD upon arrival to the U.S.
- Ensure that you and any accompanying dependents maintain appropriate health insurance coverage throughout the authorized period of stay.
Important Facts
- Failure to abide to the conditions and rules of this program could result in suspension and/or termination of Marriott's J-1 program and/or civil fines.
- Based on government regulations, the trainees' health insurance must meet certain requirements. Therefore, to ensure that these are met, ISD coordinates a special insurance program through the Gateway U.S.A Plan and Global Reach, which are administered by Seabury & Smith.
- Some exchange visitors are subject to a two-year residency requirement in their country of nationality, which requires them to return to their home country for at least two years following completion of the U.S. training. Unless this requirement is met he/she may not be able to secure any future temporary or permanent visa from the U.S.
- If the exchange visitor has been previously refused or denied a nonimmigrant visa, depending on the circumstances, ISD will not issue a certificate of eligibility.
- Family members of J-1 exchange visitors may be admitted in J-1 status. In this capacity, generally, they can not work in the U.S. However, in rare instances the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) may authorize them for work based upon a special request.
- The exchange visitor should be issued three official documents: 1) Certificate of eligibility, Form IAP-66. This document is issued by ISD. 2) J-1 Visa, which is granted by U.S. Embassies/Consulates abroad. (this does not apply to Canadian nationals). 3) I-94 Arrival/Departure card indicating period of authorized stay. INS issues this document upon entry to the U.S.
- Exchange visitors may be considered for reassignment within Marriott's international region in a supervisory, managerial or executive level, upon completion of their U.S. training.
Downloadable Forms and Sample Resume
