GACC Midwest is your reliable Partner for J-1 Visa Sponsorship
Designated by the U.S. Department of State
Internships for students from outside the U.S.
Nationwide Network of Host Organizations
Round-the-clock support for participants
J-1 Program Basics
Our J-1 Visa Sponsorship Services are available to:
- J-1 Interns must be foreign nationals:
- Who are currently enrolled full-time in and pursuing studies (BA or higher) at an accredited, in-person, foreign degree- or certificate-granting post-secondary academic institution outside the United States; or
- Who have graduated from such an institution no more than 12 months prior to their exchange visitor program start date
- Companies interested in hiring international interns must:
- Have a minimum of 5 full-time employees
- A site visit must be conducted if a host company has not previously participated in the GACC Midwest’s J-1 Exchange Visitor Program and does not meet at least one of the following conditions:
- At least 25 full-time employees;
- At least $3 million in annual revenue.
- Official J-1 Visa sponsor, designated by the U.S. Department of State
- End-to-end support for host companies and their interns
- Expertise in cross-cultural exchange and compliance
- Bilingual German-English support and German-language documents accepted
- Personalized service tailored to your specific needs
- Assistance with visa application and documentation
- DS-7002 training plan development and review
- Step-by-step support for scheduling your U.S. Consulate visa interview
- Pre-arrival guidance and ongoing support during your internship
- 24/7 Emergency Support
GACC Midwest – Official J-1 Visa Sponsor
The German American Chamber of Commerce of the Midwest, Inc. (GACC Midwest) is an officially designated J-1 Visa sponsor in the “Intern” category. As a non-profit organization authorized by the U.S. Department of State, GACC Midwest helps qualified international students and recent graduates navigate the visa application process and supports their participation in internship programs across the U.S.
J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa for Interns in the United States
If you plan to complete an internship in the United States, you are legally required to obtain a J-1 Exchange Visitor visa. This visa is part of the U.S. Department of State’s Exchange Visitor Program, which promotes educational and cultural exchange between the United States and other countries.
More than an Internship: A culturally enriching Experience in the U.S.
“My name is Annie Quan Boi Luu, and I’m currently an Event Marketing Intern with the Christkindlmarket team at German American Events, LLC. During this internship, I’ve gained a big-picture perspective by working across departments and seeing how each one contributes to creating impactful experiences. Through cross-functional collaboration, I’ve had hands-on opportunities to lead many creative marketing campaigns. The team’s supportive and detail-driven environment has helped me sharpen my communication, multitasking, and creative strategy skills. This experience continues to shape me professionally and personally, and I would absolutely recommend this internship to anyone seeking a dynamic and culturally rich opportunity.”
– Annie Quan Boi Luu, Christkindlmarket Intern (Vietnam)
J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa Support for Host Organizations
By hosting international students and young professionals, your company helps create meaningful cultural and professional learning experiences. We support you throughout the J-1 Visa process so you can focus on providing a high-quality training environment.
