Year in Review 2011 | Page 10

Trainee Program /J-1 Visa Service Over the years the SACC-USA Trainee Program has developed into a successful service available for SACCUSA and the Regional Chambers as a service to members and non-members, within each chamber’s geographic area. The SACC-USA Trainee Program and J-1 visa service can be used for Swedish students seeking summer internships, newly graduated students seeking longer training programs and/or for 18-month visas for Swedish employees wanting to engage in rotation programs. However, use of the Exchange Visitor Program for regular employment or other work purposes is strictly prohibited. SACC-USA is a J-1 visa sponsor designated by the U.S. Department of State. This means that SACC-USA is authorized to issue the document DS-2019, which is a necessity for any Swedish trainee seeking a J-1 trainee visa. SACC-USA assists Regional Chambers and corporate members in the search for suitable and well-qualified candidates for available trainee positions. Once a match between a Host Company and a trainee has been made, SACC-USA will help the host company in formulating a training plan and help the candidate with the visa application, making sure that rules governing the visa are followed. As of April 1st, 2012 the Regional Chamber responsible will receive a 10% commission on the paid SACC-USA visa fee. There are six broad types of trainees in our program: i) ii) iii) iv) v) vi) Trainees who have found a host company through SACC-USA Trainees at SACC Regional Chambers Trainees who have found a host company on their own Swedish students who are required to complete an internship as a part of their university studies Swedish students writing their Bachelor or Master´s thesis for an American company Employees from Swedish companies who wish to train with a mother company, subsidiary or busi- ness/joint venture partner in the U.S. Current students may come to the U.S. as interns for up to 12 months. Students that have a degree and one- year relevant work experience, or no degree and five years of relevant work experience may be a trainee for up to 18 months in the U.S.