
The USA J-1 visa is a non-immigrant visa for individuals approved to participate in workand-study-based exchange visitor programs. For people in the hospitality industry. These allow foreign nationals to gain experience in U.S. hotels, restaurants, and resorts.
Key Highlights
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Program Duration | 12 Months |
| Placements | 4- & 5-Star Hotels/Resorts, Stand Alone Restaurants, Michelin Star Restaurants |
| Departments | Culinary / F&B Service / Front Office |
| Stipend (Culinary/FO) | 12/hrto18/hr to 18 /hr |
| Stipend (F&B) | 7/hrto11/hr to 11 /hr + tips |
| Duty Meals | Free |
| Accommodation | Approx. $400 to $850/month (paid by applicant) |
| Processing Time | 4–6 months (Culinary), 6–8 months (F&B/FO) |
| Total Program Cost | 5.45 Lac to 5.80 Lac Approx |
Eligibility
- Candidates holding either a 3 or 4-year relevant degree in hospitality, or a 3-year relevant diploma in hospitality, are invited to apply for this visa.
- Applicants who have finished 12th grade or higher and possess a 1 or 2-year relevant diploma, coupled with 5 years of related departmental experience, are also eligible.
J-1 Intern:
- Must be currently enrolled in a hospitality-related post-secondary institution outside the U.S.
- Or have graduated within the past 12 months.
J-1 Trainee:
- Must have a degree or professional certificate from a foreign institution and at least one year of related work experience outside the U.S.
- Or have five years of related work experience outside the U.S. (without a degree).
Placements
4- & 5-Star Hotel / Resort Properties / Stand Alone Restaurants / Michelin Star Restaurants.
Departments
Culinary / F&B Service / Front Office.
Stipend & Estimated Savings
- Culinary/FO – 12/hrto18/hr to 18 /hr (average range, depending on the state and hotel property)
- F&B – 7/hrto11/hr to 11 /hr + tips (tips depend on individual performance at the hotel property)
Taking an average of 15$/hr as an example, here's how the earnings and savings work out:
15$/hr × 8 hrs/day × 22 days/month × 85 (Exchange Rate)
| Amount | ||
|---|---|---|
| = | 2,24,400 Rs | Net earnings/month |
| − | 70,000 Rs | Average living expense |
| 1,54,400 Rs | Net Savings/Month | |
| − | 20,000 Rs | Miscellaneous Cost |
| 1,34,400 Rs | Net Savings | |
| × | 12 | Total Months |
| 16,12,800 Rs | Yearly Saving |
Note: Earnings/savings may vary depending on per-hour pay, state, and city.
Overtime: Employees must be paid 1.5 times their regular hourly wage for any hours over 40 per week (federal law under the FLSA). For an average of 15/hr,theemployermustpay22.7/hr, the employer must pay 22.7 /hr if working hours exceed 40 hrs/week.
National Holidays: Employees must be paid 1.5 times their regular hourly wage, or given a compensatory day off later. For 15/hr,thatworksoutto22.7/hr, that works out to 22.7 /hr.
Duty Meals & Accommodation
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Duty Meals | Free (On Duty Meals) |
| Accommodation | Approx. $400 to $850 per month, paid by the applicant (depends on state and hotel property) — options include: Hotel Provided (Full Time), Hotel Provided (Partially – First 10 to 15 Days), or Self-Housing |
| Processing Time | On average 4 to 6 months for Culinary; 6 to 8 months for F&B/Front Office |
Finance & Payment Instructions
| Sr. No | Parameters | In Dollars ($) | In INR (Rs) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ashiraj Registration Fees (Operational Cost) | 300 USD | 25,000/- |
| 2 | Program Fees (Break-up below) | 5405 $ | 4,70,000/- (Approx) |
| > | SEVIS (SSN no.) / Student Exchange Visitor Information System | 220$ | 18,700/- |
| > | Placement Fees | 1100$ | 93,500/- |
| > | Health Insurance | 1100$ | 93,500/- |
| > | DS 2019 (Work-Permit) & DS 7002 (Training Plan) | 2800$ | 2,38,000/- |
| > | CGI Fees (Visa Interview) | 185$ | 15,725/- |
| 3 | Flight Ticket (Onwards) | – | 50K to 80K (Approx) |
| 4 | Total | – | 5.45 Lac to 5.80 Lac Approx |
Above calculations are made considering an 85 Rs/$ rate. Costing may change as per dollar rate fluctuations.
Payment notes:
- Registration fees must be settled at the time of registration.
- Following the allocation of placement, program fees will be conveyed to foreign sponsors through forex payment. The student gets a maximum of 10 days to settle the payment after the invoice is received.
- Split payments are not accepted; the student must make a full payment.
- Air tickets must be acquired after visa approval.
Documents Checklist
- Updated CV
- BSc All Marksheets (S.S.C, H.S.C)
- BSc Convocation
- Passing Certificate
- Passport (1st Page & Last Page)
- Experience Letter
- Industrial Training (6 Months)
- Offer Letter, Salary Slip (3 months)
- Vaccine Certificate
- Video (Introducing yourself) – more than 5 minutes
- Aadhar Card and PAN Card
All documents should be sent in one email as a colour scan — proper scan, no mobile photos.
USA J1 Refund Policies
Registration Fees
- Initial Fee: INR 25,000/- (Non-Refundable)
If Interested / Selected in Hotel Interviews
- Hotel Choices – Students will receive three hotel options (initially) for interviews. They must research the hotel using platforms like Google, hotel websites, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc.
- Confirmation – Students must respond to the invitation email with written confirmation of their interest.
- First Choice Policy – If a student chooses the first hotel and is selected, they must accept the offer and begin the visa process; no further options will be provided. If a student wishes to change hotels after selection, a $500 fine will apply.
If Not Selected 4. Response Requirement – If a student researches the hotel options and decides they are not interested, they must provide written confirmation with a valid reason. They will then receive another hotel option. 5. Failure to Respond – Failing to reply with a reason may result in a 90-day hold on the process, during which other students will be prioritized for hotel options. 6. Backing Out – If a student wishes to withdraw after the choice given (for the initial 3 choices only) and before the interview, the registration fee will be refunded. After the interview (regardless of selection), no refund will be issued if they back out.
Visa Fees
- Initial Visa Fee: $185 (Non-Refundable, subject to dollar rate fluctuations)
- 2nd Attempt Visa Fee: $185 (Non-Refundable)
- DS Reprint Charges: $320 (Non-Refundable)
Other Non-Refundable Costs
- Out of the total amount of $5,405, $1300 to $1800 is non-refundable and allocated to foreign sponsors and agencies for legal costs.
- The refund process requires 60 U.S. working days (assuming a five-day work week) upon the student's submission of a refund request along with proof of transaction made during registration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the USA J1 12-month program? It's a work-and-study
1. What is the USA J1 12-month program? It's a work-and-study exchange visitor program that lets hospitality professionals gain paid experience in U.S. hotels, restaurants, and resorts for 12 months.
Who is eligible for the USA J1 hospitality visa? Candidates
with a 3–4 year hospitality degree or a 3-year hospitality diploma, or 12th pass with a 1–2 year diploma plus 5 years of related experience.
How much can I earn and save on the J1 program?
At an average of 15$/hr, net savings can be around 1,34,400 Rs/month, or approximately 16,12,800 Rs for the year — though this varies by state, city, and hourly pay.
What is the total cost of the program?
Approximately 5.45 Lac to 5.80 Lac, including registration, SEVIS, placement, health insurance, DS-2019/DS-7002, visa fees, and flight tickets.
How long does the visa process take? On average 4 to 6 months
for Culinary placements, and 6 to 8 months for F&B/Front Office placements.