Questions regarding OJT in the States

[lychee]

Part of my course's requirement is to have a practicum of atleast 120 hours this summer, and I plan to do mine in the States. I also plan to do it in a newspaper/publishing/media company.

My question is, how do I go about it (having my practicum in the States)? How do I apply? Will I need a work permit? Has anyone here had his or her OJT abroad?

Any kind of information would be greatly appreciated. :)

[rabbaddal]

Originally posted by lychee
Part of my course's requirement is to have a practicum of atleast 120 hours this summer, and I plan to do mine in the States. I also plan to do it in a newspaper/publishing/media company.

My question is, how do I go about it (having my practicum in the States)? How do I apply? Will I need a work permit? Has anyone here had his or her OJT abroad?

Any kind of information would be greatly appreciated. :)

Yes, you will require a work permit to do an OJT in the US. This usually comes in the form of an H1 or J1 visa. If you are a student in an american university, you are entitled to what they call an OTP which allows you to do an internship outside of school. If you are studying in another country such as the Philippines, you will need a working visa. This is of course assuming that you don't have a green card already.

Acquiring a work visa is the prerogative of the company you plan to OJT with. If you plan to work for the summer only, then you should search for companies that have special programs for summer interns from abroad. Most of the companies I know who take in foreign OJTs usually hire for 12 month terms.

[flounder]

Originally posted by rabbaddal


Yes, you will require a work permit to do an OJT in the US. This usually comes in the form of an H1 or J1 visa. If you are a student in an american university, you are entitled to what they call an OTP which allows you to do an internship outside of school. If you are studying in another country such as the Philippines, you will need a working visa. This is of course assuming that you don't have a green card already.

Acquiring a work visa is the prerogative of the company you plan to OJT with. If you plan to work for the summer only, then you should search for companies that have special programs for summer interns from abroad. Most of the companies I know who take in foreign OJTs usually hire for 12 month terms.

what if you have a tourist visa and you apply for an ojt in the states, will you be required to give up your tourist visa in favor of the working visa?

[Ice Burn]

Unless of course you have a relative who will let you work under the table :lol:

[rabbaddal]

Originally posted by flounder


what if you have a tourist visa and you apply for an ojt in the states, will you be required to give up your tourist visa in favor of the working visa?

I'm not sure what you mean by "give up". Your tourist visa will not be cancelled or rescinded. It's your status that will change. For example, if you enter the U.S. w/ a tourist visa, then your status is initially that of a tourist. If while staying as a tourist in the U.S. you are hired and sponsored by a company, then the status of your stay will change to that w/c is covered by a working visa (H1/J1). You still hold your tourist visa until it expires. It's just that your stay in the U.S. is covered no longer by your tourist visa but rather by your working visa. If, for example, you leave the company (thus, both your working status and your working visa is terminated) and go back to Manila, you can still use your tourist visa to re-enter the U.S. under a tourist status.