Terms & Conditions
Article 1. Definitions
The terms of this agreement are defined as follows:
- Stage-USA: Based in New York City, USA, part of Stage-Global Inc. 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 an agreement
- Program: The service which the participant applies for
- 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. Give the approval of the 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 signing the Program Agreement and paying the deposit, applicant agrees to the terms and conditions and becomes a participant.
Article 5. Canceling the program
Article 5a: In the event the participant cancels the program, the deposit will be non refundable. In the event that the participant has been placed successfully, the full program fee is due/non refundable.
Article 5b: Stage-USA is not liable for the results of the participant during the program period at the host company.
Article 5c: Stage-USA is not liable or responsible for any problems arising due to the university results of the participant. If the participant’s university results for any reason affect the program dates or their ability to take part in the program, the participant will still be charged the full program fee.
Article 6. Housing
Housing will be arranged by the participant with the assistance of Stage-USA if needed. Stage-USA does not guarantee housing quality such as facilities, hygiene, furniture, or safety. Stage-USA is not responsible for possible damage or disturbance caused by the participant. On the website www.stage-usa.com, Stage-USA provides housing price estimates. These estimates can fluctuate depending on the season, the value of the dollar, the length of the program, and the location of the program.
Article 7. Application & Payments
Article 7a: The filling out of the application form by the applicant on the Stage-USA website is free of obligation. The applicant will be contacted after filling out the application form to set up an intake interview. During this intake, the applicant will discuss their program needs which will be listed in a Program Agreement which will be sent to the applicant after the intake. If the applicant wishes to continue using the services of Stage-USA, they will then sign the Program Agreement and pay the deposit. 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 agreeing to continue using the services of Stage-USA. The deposit is $1000.
Article 7b: During the interview, the applicant will give an accurate description of the type of program they wish to participate in. This description will be included in the Program Agreement that the applicant will sign when paying the deposit. Based on the description provided by the applicant, Stage-USA will attempt to match the needs as closely as possible. If the participant or the educational institution of the participant does not agree to the program found by Stage-USA, but the program matches the needs described by the participant during the interview and signed in the Program Agreement, the deposit will not be returned. When Stage-USA finds a suitable position based on the Program Agreement, and the participant agrees to this position, the participant will be charged the remaining program cost. The agreement to the position can be given either verbally or in writing by the participant to Stage-USA. There are exceptions to this rule based on Article 8c.
Article 7c: A participant can cancel placement process in the case of an immediate family member passing away. In this case, the participant will receive a partcial refund of 50% of the deposit. If the participant has already been hired for a program, the program costs will not be reimbursed.
Article 7d: If the participant cancels the program, and has either been introduced at 2 or more Host Companies, denied 2 or more Host Companies or applicant turned down 2 or more Host Companies, the deposit will not be reimbursed.
Article 7e: The invoices from Stage-USA must be paid within 10 days. If it is not paid within 10 days, Stage-USA will send a reminder and the invoice must be paid within 5 days from that point. If the amount is not paid within those 5 days, a collection agency will be contacted and the participant will be charged an extra fee. Invoices will be sent online by email.
Article 7f: Reimbursements of deposit (50% of the deposit) will be given by Stage-USA to the participant if the participant meets the following requirements:
- Stage-USA has up to 2 weeks before the agreed start date of the program that is listed on the Program Agreement to find a suitable program for the participant and Stage-USA has at least 2 months time to find a suitable position. These two months start once the deposit is paid and the resume and motivation letter of the participant are checked and given final approval by Stage-USA.
- When a participant agrees to a position verbally or in writing, the deposit will not be reimbursed, and the participant will be charged the full mediation cost.
- The participant is responsible for the position and program description during the intake. If the educational institution does not agree with the program or position offer, the participant is responsible. The participant must inform Stage-USA during the intake of all the restrictions of any other parties involved.
- Refunds are not provided in case of cancellation due to unforeseen circumstances outside the influence of either participant or Stage-USA.
Article 8: Visa
Article 8a: Participant is responsible for their own OPT approval. A Job offer will be provided by Stage-USA to assist in the processing of an OPT approval through the participant’s Designated Study Official. The participant will also be responsible for monitoring the deadlines and processing times of OPT approvals.
Article 8b: In the event of an extension of STEM program, Stage-USA will provide a suitable training plan as well as a host business that is E-Verified. The additional fee for this is $500.
