J-1 visa conditions
Article 1. Definitions
The terms of this agreement are defined as follows:
Stage-USA: Based in New York City, USA, the owner
Applicant: Any person who fills out a Stage-USA application and has an interview with a Stage-USA representative. This person is free of any obligations up until the point of paying the deposit (post interview)
Participant: Any person to whom Stage-USA provides its service, or any person with whom Stage-USA has an agreement or with whom Stage-USA is in negotiation of the agreement
Program: The service which the participant applies for. Namely: J-1 Visa application
Position: The tasks and description of the program of the host company provided to the participant by Stage-USA
Host company: The business located abroad where the participant potentially participates in the program
Agreement: Any arrangement made between Stage-USA and the participant or any change that follows
Article 2. Obligations of Stage-USA
Stage-USA is obligated to provide the services that are sold.
Article 3. Terms & Conditions
Terms and conditions: One or more terms developed in order to include a number of agreements, with the exception of terms that form the core of the common language.
The one taking part in a Stage-USA program, called the participant, must agree to the general conditions or they must make it clear if something in the agreement is unknown. The participant agrees to these terms upon payment of the deposit.
Article 4. Approval Terms & Conditions
Filling out the application form is free of obligations. After filling out the application form, applicant can have an obligation-free interview with a Stage-USA representative. Stage-USA and the applicant may come to an agreement during this interview. After possibly coming to an agreement about a program during the interview, the applicant has the option to pay the deposit. By paying the deposit, applicant agrees to the terms and conditions and becomes a participant.
Article 5. Cancelling the Program
Article 5a: Stage-USA is not liable for the cancelation of the program on the basis of the applicant or the host company.
Article 5b: Stage-USA will arrange the visa process for the participant. If in any case the participant is refused at the border of the country of destination or any country stopped at in between, Stage-USA is not liable.
Article 5c: Stage-USA is not liable for the denial of the visa at the American Consulate/Embassy. Furthermore, Stage-USA is not liable for a possible denial of the J-1 visa on the basis of the applicant or the host company.
Article 5d: If there are any political issues between the government of your home country and the United States of America, or if there are any issues between the United States government and the United States Consulates/Embassies, Stage-USA is not liable.
Article 5e: If there is any change in the flight to your destination, Stage-USA is not liable. If the participant is not present on the start date of his or her program, and if the host company cancels the program, Stage-USA is not liable. The participant has the option of having Stage-USA look for a new program with an additional fee.
Article 6. Housing
Housing will be arranged by Stage-USA together with the participant, if needed. The participant must reserve the actual housing upon arrival, with assistance from Stage-USA. Stage-USA does not guarantee housing quality, such as facilities, hygiene, furniture, and safety. Stage-USA is not liable for possible damage or disturbance caused by the participant.
Article 7. Application and Payments
Article 7a: The filling out of the application form by the applicant on the Stage-USA website is free of obligations. The applicant will be contacted after filling out the application form to set up an interview. During this interview, the applicant will discuss their internship needs and come to an agreement with the Stage-USA interviewing representative. If the applicant wishes to continue using the services of Stage-USA, he or she will then pay the deposit and sign the Program Agreement. Paying the deposit and signing the Program Agreement also means agreeing to the Terms & Conditions of Stage-USA. The applicant will not be charged for the deposit until he or she agrees to continue using the services of Stage-USA. The deposit is $500.
Article 7b: During the interview, the applicant will give an accurate description of his/her host company. On the basis of this description Stage-USA will decide if the program can be started. Starting up the process does not guarantee an approval of the visa.
Article 7c: Cancelation/ Rejection:
The cancelation or rejection of the program can have several reasons. Stage-USA set up regulations for each situation in case of a reimbursement.
Cancelation through applicant: If the participant decides to cancel the visa application, then he/she cannot claim the deposit back that has already been paid for the visa. In case the participant paid the full visa fee, the participant will be reimbursed with the full amount Stage-USA receives back from the Sponsor. The participant must pay any additional costs that might occur due to the cancelation of the visa application.
Cancelation through sponsor: The visa sponsor can, based on the participant or host company, decide not to grant the sponsorship. The deposit payment is in this case not refundable. In case the participant paid the full visa fee, the participant will be reimbursed with the full amount Stage-USA receives back from the Sponsor.
Cancelation through Host Company: If The Host Company decides to cancel the visa application at some point during the visa process and if the participant has not received his/her visa from the consulate yet, then a certain amount of the visa program fee will be reimbursed. In case the participant paid the full visa fee, the participant will be reimbursed with the full amount Stage-USA receives back from the Sponsor.
Article 8. Site Visit
If the company has less then 25 fulltime employees and a turnover of less then $3 million per year, then a site visit organized by our US partner needs to be scheduled to ensure the reliability of the company. This will incur an additional cost of $250, which must be paid by the applicant. Arranging a site visit takes approximately 1.5 weeks.
Article 9. Extension and Reapplication of J-1 Visa
If the participant decides to extend the stay of the placement, the visa extension must be done through the services of Stage-USA. If a new J-1 visa category is to be processed, it must also be done through the services of Stage-USA.
