“SEVIS” stands for “Student and Exchange Visitors Information System”.

SEVIS is a United States Government computerized system that collects and manages data about all international students and exchange visitors, including ICEO participants. SEVIS tells the U.S. Government where exchange visitors live, work, and exchange visitors’ status during the program.

Per www.ice.gov/sevis: “SEVIS is a web-based system for maintaining information on international nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors in the United States. It is the core technology for the DHS in this critical mission.”

The DS-2019 Form or “Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status” is the primary document used in the administration of the exchange visitor program. This form permits a prospective exchange visitor to seek an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate in order to obtain a J visa to enter the United States. The DS-2019 Form identifies the exchange visitor and their designated sponsor (for example ICEO) and provides a brief description of the exchange visitor’s program, including the start and end date, category of exchange program, and an estimate of the cost of the exchange program.

Form I-94 is the DHS Arrival/Departure Record issued to foreign visitors who are admitted to the United States.

To learn more please visit: https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/I94/#/home

The “ICEO Travel Request Form” form is to be completed by all ICEO Program participants planning to re-enter the United States after a visit to another country during the ICEO Program participation. This form is included in the ICEO Program Participant Handbook.

Many US host companies require their employees to undergo testing for the use of drugs. This is completely legal and within the company’s rights. If participants want to work for a host company which requires such testing, they must comply; otherwise, they may not be hired. If they test positive for drug use, the company may disqualify them, they will not be hired and ICEO may terminate their program participation.

Participants are required to attend a Home Country Orientation Meeting before they depart to the United States. Essential information is presented at the meeting, including immigration entry procedures and arrival instructions specific to the program destination.

Participants of ICEO Programs can find detailed information about their ICEO Program in the ICEO Program Participant Handbook. Each candidate receives the handbook prior to completing a program application.

Any employment type activity which is not specifically described on the “DS-7002 Form – Training / Internship Placement Plan” is prohibited. In addition, participant cannot engage in training or internship:

• in any unskilled or casual labor position
• in positions that require or involve childcare or elder care
• in any kind of position that involves patient care or contact
• in a position that involves more than 20 percent clerical work
• with a Staffing/Employment Agency
• in positions, occupations, or businesses that could bring the Exchange Visitor Program or the U.S Department of State and / or ICEO into notoriety or disrepute
• in other positions ICEO deems inappropriate.

DS-7002 form is a Training / Internship Placement Plan that is completed and approved by the American host company, along with the Program participant and ICEO, prior to program participation. The DS-7002 form contains all the details of internship or training placement, including program phases, objectives, skills which participant will learn during the program and additional important information regarding participation in the internship or training. The form must be fully completed and signed by the American host company representative, an ICEO Program officer and participant. Participants must take their fully executed DS-7002 form (signed by American host company representative, ICEO Program officer and participant) to the J-1 visa interview at the U.S. Consular Post along with other documents, such as, passport and DS-2019 form.

“ICEO 10-Day Arrival Info Session” is a post arrival orientation meeting, conducted by an ICEO Team Member within 10 days of a participant’s arrival to United States. Please refer to your Program Participant Handbook for scheduling procedures.

Participants can best experience U.S. culture by becoming a part of the community and enjoying the different lifestyle each location offers. By visiting local historic sites and participating in local events, not only will the participants get to experience new activities, they will also see how American people interact and be a part of the culture. Participants will also be exposed to various interactions with their American colleagues and customers during the employment component of their program. This is a great opportunity to see and experience American lifestyle and culture in the workplace. It is important to visit and become familiar with local visitors and community centers to learn what activities are available in participant’s local community during the program.

Sports are a big part of the American culture. Participants can actively participate in sporting events such as basketball, soccer, bike rides, cross country running or by joining different local teams or events available in their community or host company. Participating in sports with Americans will allow participants to immerse themselves even deeper within the local communities.

Sightseeing is also an important part of the overall cultural experience. In addition to visiting major cities like New York, Boston, San Francisco or Washington D.C., other famous sites like Mount Rushmore, Old Faithful, Grand Canyon or other national parks will give participants a better sense of what the American culture is about.

If you are traveling to the United States without pre-arrange employment, ICEO strongly recommends that you review appropriate sections of your Program Participant Handbook. If you need assistance with identifying employment, please do not hesitate to contact ICEO.

Before arriving in the United States, participants should start identifying apartments, hotels or other types of accommodation in the city they will be traveling to. By contacting possible accommodation options (by email/phone call), participants will have a better understanding of the cost of living for that particular area. Aside from cost, it is also important to look at available public transportation and accommodation safety around the area. Upon arrival in the United States, hotels/hostels can be used as temporary housing while you are looking for permanent housing. Extended stay hotels are usually the best options, as they can provide both temporary and permanent housing solutions, depending on the cost and distance from the employer. Networking or sharing lodging with other participants will help minimize cost. Detailed information regarding housing can be found in the Program Participant Handbook.

In general, the answer is Yes. There are two key words to understanding what you are obligated to pay in taxes and what you do not have to pay. The term “Exempt” refers to a status, in which you do not have to pay money for a certain type of tax. The term “Non-exempt” refers to a status, in which you are obligated to pay a certain tax.

Under the J-1 non-immigrant visa status, you are not subject to the following taxes:

• Social security and Medicare tax (FICA)
• Federal unemployment tax (FUTA)

Detailed information regarding Taxes can be found in the Program Participant Handbook.

ICEO expects all of its Participants to fully embrace both aspects of the program – work and participation in cultural activities.

Please contact ICEO if you are interested in participating in the ICEO Outbound Program. One of ICEO’s Program Coordinators will contact you to discuss the available options.

ICEO Participants have traveled to destinations that include Poland, Brazil, and Thailand. Please contact ICEO for the current list of available destinations.

ICEO Outbound Programs may last anywhere between 2 weeks and 3 months.

Previous ICEO Participants were able to work and/or volunteer during their program.

Please contact ICEO to discuss details of your programs.