Benefits Of The Trainee Programs
By allowing international students and professionals to undertake structured programs of practical training at U.S. companies, the Trainee Program creates a unique forum for professional and personal growth within an international context. Consider the benefits that such a program can have for you.
On-the-Job Training
You will learn valuable professional techniques and U.S. business methodologies in your field of endeavor, allowing you to further your skills and knowledge and to enhance your qualifications within this field.
Networking
by completing a training program at a U.S. company, you begin to establish professional relationships and to develop an international network of colleagues and contacts that you can call upon in your future careers.
Language Skills
the Trainee Program allows you to advance your skills in a professional setting, helping you to improve not only your overall fluency but also your industry-specific business English skills.
Cultural Exchange
in addition to providing for profound professional development, the Trainee Program is also administered as a cultural exchange program, creating the opportunity for you to learn about U.S. culture, history and politics while at the same time providing insight into your home culture to your friends and colleagues in the U.S.
Fun
participating in the Trainee Program is not just a good career decision, it is also a great way to make friends from all around the world, and experience the excitement of living in and exploring a new country.
Placement
Placement should consist of practical training directly related to your field of study or current field of profession. Practical training will vary from position to position, but should include a rotation of departments, if applicable, and a well-rounded exposure to the company/organization. 
Although the training takes place in the work place, the program does not allow participants to simply work in the U.S. (i.e. you are not permitted simply to replace a regular employee of your prospective Host Company).
Trainees are only permitted to engage in skilled activities at their Host Companies. A skilled activity is defined as something that requires some form of educational and/or theoretical base knowledge in order to be performed. Unskilled occupations are in most circumstances NOT acceptable elements of a training program.
Unskilled Occupations
- Assemblers
- Attendants, Parking Lot
- Attendants (Service Workers such as Personal Services Attendants, Amusements and Recreation Service Attendants)
- Automobile Service Station Attendants
- Bartenders
- Bookkeepers
- Caretakers
- Cashiers
- Charworkers and Cleaners
- Chauffeurs and Taxicab Drivers
- Cleaners, Hotel and Motel
- Clerks, General
- Clerks, Hotel
- Clerks and Checkers, Grocery Stores
- Clerk Typist
- Cooks, Short Order
- Counter and Fountain Workers
- Dining Room Attendants
- Electric Truck Operators
- Elevator Operators
- Floorworkers
- Groundskeepers
- Guards
- Helpers, Any Industry
- Household Domestic Service Workers
- Housekeepers
- Janitors
- Key Punch Operators
- Kitchen Workers
- Laborers, Common
- Laborers, Farm
- Laborers, Mine
- Loopers and Toppers
- Material Handlers
- Nurses' Aides and Orderlies
- Packers, Markers, Bottlers and Related
- Porters
- Receptionists
- Sailors and Deck Hands
- Sales Clerks, General
- Sewing Machine Operators and Handstitchers
- Stock Room and Warehouse Workers
- Streetcar and Bus Conductors
- Telephone Operators
- Truck Drivers and Tractor Drivers
- Typist, Lesser Skilled
- Ushers, Recreation and Amusement
- Yard Workers
Allowable Placements under guidelines of the J-1 Trainee Visa
- 1 Arts and Culture
- 2 Information Media and Communications
- 3 Education, Social Sciences, Library Science, Counseling and Social Services
- 4 Management, Business Commerce and Finance (including Hospitality & Hotel Management)
- 5 Health-Related Occupations
- 6 Sciences, Engineering, Architecture, Mathematics and Industrial Occupations
- 7 Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
- 8 Public Administration and Law
Prohibited Placements (The following specialty occupations will not be sponsored by CIEE)
- 1 Casual or second jobs are not allowed. This includes volunteer positions.
- 2 Au pairs, maids or any other domestic work such as baby-sitting or housekeeping
- 3 Camp Counselors
- 4 Medical Trainees or anything involving hands-on therapy, counseling, administering treatment or making diagnoses of medical, psychiatric or psychological conditions
- 5 Pharmacy positions directly related to dispensing medication to patients
- 6 Veterinary Trainees involved in hands-on care of animals
- 7 Pilots or crewmembers on ships or airplanes
- 8 Teachers or educational instructors
- 9 Temporary or staffing agency employees
Who is Eligible?
In order to be eligible to participate in the Trainee Program, applicants must meet certain standards of eligibility. These vary slightly depending on the applicant’s specific status, and therefore we offer two distinct program categories: Internship Program (INT) and Professional Career Training Program (PCT).
To be a successful Professional Career Training Program (PCT), you must:
possess a post-secondary degree and have at least 1 year of prior related professional experience 1 in your proposed field of training; or- have at least 5 years of prior related professional experience 2 in your proposed field of training instead of 1 year if you do not possess a post-secondary degree;
be between the ages of 20 and 40;
have a passport valid for at least six months beyond the intended stay in the USA; and
have sufficient English language skills to function in a business setting.
Program Definition
Structured and guided work-based learning experience that enhances participant’s skills in his or her occupational specialty and provides exposure to American techniques, culture, etc.
Program Duration
Up to 20 months
Program Cost
The price for Internship Program (INT) and Professional Career Training Program (PCT) varies depending on how long an applicant plans to stay in the U.S. and these are the program fees:
| | Internship Program | Professional Career
Training Program |
| < 3 Months | HKD11,500 | HKD12,000 |
| > 3 - 6 Months | HKD14,500 | HKD15,000 |
| > 6 - 9 Months | HKD17,500 | HKD18,000 |
| > 9 - 12 Months | HKD20,500 | HKD21,000 |
| > 12 - 15 Months | HKD22,500 * | HKD23,000 |
| > 15 -20 Months | N/A | HKD25,000 |
What is included in the Program Cost?
- 1 SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee
- 2 DS-2019 form 1 to apply for the J-1 Trainee Visa 2
- 3 Basic insurance
- 4 24 hours emergency support
- 5 Participant handbook
- 6 Orientations
- 7 Information about social security application
What is NOT included in the Program Cost?
- 1 Non-refundable Administration Fee of HKD100 for HK and Macau resident; HKD500 for others
- 2 A round trip air ticket from Hong Kong to the U.S.
- 3 J-1 Trainee Visa application fee
- 4 Food and accommodation
- 5 Additional insurance
- 6 Other personal expenses
- 7 HKD3000 Placement from the CIEE (for those without prior host company)
Payment Methods
Only check or bank transfer is accepted. If you are going to pay by check, please make check payable to “Intrinsic Limited”.
If you want to make payment through bank transfer, please transfer the payment to one of the following accounts and send us a copy of the receipt by email or fax.
Hong Kong HSBC A/C 636-379232-838
Macau HSBC A/C 001-310929-095
Overseas applicant may also submit payment by telegraphic transfer to the following bank account:
Bank name HSBC Hong Kong
Address 1 Queen's Road, Central, Hong Kong SAR, China
SWIFT HSBCHKHHHKH
Acct no. 636-379232-838
Acct name Intrinsic Ltd.
Application Procedures
If you already have a host company
1
Application
Submit the complete application form together with all required documents.
2
Candidate Selection
Test for basic program suitability and proper motivation.
Sign required documents and pay program fee after passing the selection.
3
DS Arrival
You will be informed for the arrival of the DS-2019 form.
4
Visa and Travel Arrangement Session
Complete the Visa and Travel Preparation Session.
Collect your DS-2019 form.
5
Visa Application
Complete the required visa application forms and go to the U.S. Consulate to apply for the J-1 Trainee Visa immediately.
6
After Visa Application
Submit the Visa Copy within 7 days.
7
Arrange Your Travel Plan
Confirm your travel arrangement.
Complete the Travel Plan Form (TPF) at least 2 weeks before your departure
Full Application Procedure DS 7002 Form
If you DO NOT have a host company
1
Application
Contact us directly to look for the latest openings.
Submit the complete application form together with all required documents.
2
Candidate Selection
Test for basic program suitability and proper motivation after passing the selection.
3
Employer Interview
(upon employer’s request)
You may be invited to an interview with the corresponding employer, which would be conducted via teleconference.
4
Getting Hired
Sign required documents and pay full program fee.
5
DS Arrival
You will be informed for the arrival of the DS-2019 form.
6
Visa and Travel Arrangement Session
Complete the Visa and Travel Preparation Session.
Collect your DS-2019 form.
7
Visa Application
Complete the required visa application forms and go to the U.S. Consulate to apply for the J-1 Trainee Visa immediately.
8
After Visa Application
Submit the Visa Copy within 7 days.
9
Arrange Your Travel Plan
Confirm your travel arrangement.
Complete the Travel Plan Form (TPF) at least 2 weeks before your departure.
Full Application Procedure
In order to allow sufficient time for application processing and for the mandatory visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate, you are recommended to submit the full set of materials required at application stage to Intrinsic at least 8 weeks prior to your intended travel date.
