ABA J-1 ILEX Program Information I. The ABA Section of International Law s (ABA International) 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. Host organizations and firms that employee fewer than 25 employees and earn less than $3-million 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 expense or may partner with a larger organization or firm for the training program. II. All applicants must complete an acceptable training placement plan (form DS-7002).The training placement plan (form DS-7002) should be enclosed with the entire application package. A training placement plan must include at least three, comprehensive phases (minimum of five if applying for the maximum placement period of 18 months). III. The J-1 Visa Training Program application fee, in the amount of U.S. $1000, 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 must be paid via a check from a U.S. bank account. IV. 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 (SEVIS). A sample form for this fee will be sent along with the applicant s DS-2019 form. 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 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. V. Applicants should 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. 1
VI. At the end of the training program, a brief 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 12 month or longer training programs, 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. To apply for the J-1 ILEX Program, please fill out the DS-7002 Training Placement Plan and our Application Form (see Application Specifics for details regarding particularities of the ABA application). See the J-1 Visa Application Form Checklist for all required documents. 2
AMERICAN BAR ASSOCIATION Section of International Law 740 15th Street NW Washington, DC 20005 Phone: (202) 662-1034 FAX: (202) 662-1669 Email: intilex@americanbar.org http://ambar.org/ilex J-1 VISA APPLICATION INFORMATION FOR HOST LAW FIRMS & VISA APPLICANTS 1. The ABA Section of International Law s (ABA International) 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 not able to process J-1 visas for interns. 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). 2. Host organizations and firms that employee fewer than 25 employees and 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 expense or may partner with a larger organization or firm for the training program. 3. In order to apply for the J-1 Visa through ABA International, the trainee must complete the J-1 Visa Training Program Application as well as all items listed below (further explanation provided as well 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: completed J-1 Visa Training Program Application including the personal statement and photo; proof of English language proficiency if non-native English speaker; two letters of reference; proof of health and repatriation insurance; reference to total compensation during the training period including verification; payment of U.S. $1000 for the J-1 Visa processing fee & $500 for each J-2 Visa; completed DS-7002 (including signatures); resume or curriculum vitae; copies of educational documents including diplomas and certificates; September 2012
copy of your and any J-2 visa applicants passports; and return UPS or FedEx shipping label to either the trainee or host firm. 4. The application form and DS-7002 must be typed. (Answers can be directly inputted into the PDF form and then printed). 5. 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. 6. (No. 10 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 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. 7. (No. 14 on application form) The minimum placement period is three months; the maximum is eighteen months. 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 a month 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. 8. (No. 19 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 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 should be from two separate sources (i.e. not from two lawyers at the same firm or organization) and on letterhead with an original signature. 9. (No. 20 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 at least $50,000 per accident or illness and repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500. 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. 10. (No. 22 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 September 2012
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. A specific amount of funding must be listed sufficient enough to cover living expenses during the entire stay in the U.S. 11. The training placement plan (form DS-7002) should be completed and enclosed with the entire application package. A training placement plan must include at least three, comprehensive phases (minimum of five if applying for the maximum placement period of 18 months). 12. The J-1 Visa Training Program application fee, in the amount of U.S. $1000, 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 must be paid via a check from a U.S. bank account. 13. 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. A sample form for this fee will be sent along with the applicant s DS-2019 form. 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 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. 14. Applicants should 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. 15. 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 12 month or longer training programs, 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. September 2012
ABA Section of International Law ILEX J-1 Visa Training Program Application 1. First Name Middle Name Family Name 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 Mobile Email Fax Home 7. Training Period From Month/Day/Year To 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 September 2012 1
City and State 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) school and include any current registration in a degree program or professional enrichment course, special institute, etc. Under the U.S. Department of State s regulations for the J-1 Visa, trainees must possess a degree 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) Name and Location of Institute Subject(s) Studied Diploma/Degree Date Awarded (Month/Year) September 2012 2
11. Date and place of admission to practice law. 12. Language Proficiency. (List native language first.) 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 language skills must be verified by a recognized language test or signed original documentation from an academic institution or English language school. A copy of your examination score or signed original documentation from an 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) begin with 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 related work 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 Employer and Address Duties Performed Date of Employment September 2012 3
14. Previous U.S. Visas. Have you previously received another U.S. Visa (such as F-1, H-1)? If so, please list: Visa Type Dates 15. Training Area. Select the area(s) in which you will receive training in the U.S. and your level of experience at the present time. Training Area: Check the box; Experience Level: (A-D) A is highest; D is lowest Administrative Law Antitrust Law Banking and Finance Commerce and Trade Corporation and Business Law Criminal Law Judiciary Labor Relations Law (Management) Labor Relations Law (Union) Law Enforcement Legal Aid Legislature Local National Patent, Trademark & Copyright Law Permanent Special Court Probate and Trust Law Environmental Law Family Law General Practice Individual and Civil Rights Initial Court of Record Insurance, Negligence & Compensation Public Interest Law Public International Law Real Estate Law State (District) Tax Law Trial Court Appellate Court Supreme (High) Court of the Country Other: Other: 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 additional pages if necessary. 17. References. Please provide two unique reference letters from different sources (different law firms and organizations) on letterhead with the following information: Name and Position Relationship to You Address September 2012 4
Name and Position Relationship to You Address 18. Health Insurance. Include the name of your health insurance and policy number. In addition, applicants are required to submit an attached statement of proof that the insurance policy will cover health and repatriation costs during the entire stay of the applicant in the U.S. Please see application instructions for more information. Insurance Company: Policy Number: 19. 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. 20. I understand that as a trainee in the ILEX J-1 Visa Program, I am fully and solely responsible for my own financial maintenance throughout the training period and that I am working at a host office on a full-time basis. I also understand that I cannot undertake any 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 from the source is required. If you are using your own personal funds, an exact amount must be stated that you have at your disposal during your training program Original Signature Printed Name Date Please return this application form to: ILEX J-1 Visa Program Tel: +1-202-662-1034 ABA Section of International Law Fax: +1-202-662-1669 740 15 th Street NW intilex@americanbar.org Washington, DC 20005 http://ambar.org/ilex USA September 2012 5
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 letters of reference on letterhead Proof of health and repatriation insurance (with coverage dates) Resume or curriculum vitae Personal statement (300-500 words) Recent passport photo of yourself (with your name written on the back) Reference to total compensation during the training program including verification Return UPS or FedEx shipping label addressed to either the trainee or host firm Payment of U.S. $1000 for the J-1 Visa processing fee and $500 for each J-2 Visa * If a trainee needs a replacement DS-2019 form any during the training program, a replacement fee of U.S. $500 will be charged. September 2012 6