J-1 Visa Automotive Technician Jobs
Automotive Technician positions in the United States are accessible to exchange visitors through the J-1 Trainee or Intern program categories, which require a designated sponsor organization to issue your DS-2019. Finding a host employer willing to structure a formal training plan is the first step toward J-1 sponsorship in this field.
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WE ARE ADDING ENTRY-LEVEL HOURLY TECHNICIANS TO OUR TEAM! Mercedes-Benz of Scarborough is part of the fast-growing Group 1 Automotive, a leader in automotive retail and service. We are growing and looking for Quality Entry-Level Hourly Technicians to work with our Quality Dealership, representing a Quality Product! Our Technicians should be passionate about customer service, take pride in their work, and enjoy being part of a winning team that cares about their employees. Start your career today, let us fast track you to a great future!
We offer...
- A Great Working Environment
- Tool Purchase Program
- Comprehensive Dealer Paid Training and Advancement Opportunities
- Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
- Life & Disability Insurance
- 401(k) with Company Match
- Paid Time off
- Employee Vehicle Purchase Program
You need…
- Basic Mechanical knowledge of automotive vehicles is preferred
- Willingness to learn
- Basic Computer Skills
- Ability to Achieve Targeted Goals
- High School Diploma or Equivalent
- Must have a Valid Driver’s License
All applicants must pass pre-employment testing to include: background checks and MVR in order to qualify for employment
Group 1 Automotive, a Fortune 250 company, is a leading operator of automotive dealerships and collision centers across the United States and United Kingdom. If you are in alignment with our values of integrity, transparency, professionalism, teamwork and respect - now might be the time for you to accelerate your career as part of the best company in automotive retail.
Group 1 Automotive is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and participates in E-Verify.
Overview
WE ARE ADDING ENTRY-LEVEL HOURLY TECHNICIANS TO OUR TEAM! Mercedes-Benz of Scarborough is part of the fast-growing Group 1 Automotive, a leader in automotive retail and service. We are growing and looking for Quality Entry-Level Hourly Technicians to work with our Quality Dealership, representing a Quality Product! Our Technicians should be passionate about customer service, take pride in their work, and enjoy being part of a winning team that cares about their employees. Start your career today, let us fast track you to a great future!
We offer...
- A Great Working Environment
- Tool Purchase Program
- Comprehensive Dealer Paid Training and Advancement Opportunities
- Health, Dental & Vision Insurance
- Life & Disability Insurance
- 401(k) with Company Match
- Paid Time off
- Employee Vehicle Purchase Program
You need…
- Basic Mechanical knowledge of automotive vehicles is preferred
- Willingness to learn
- Basic Computer Skills
- Ability to Achieve Targeted Goals
- High School Diploma or Equivalent
- Must have a Valid Driver’s License
All applicants must pass pre-employment testing to include: background checks and MVR in order to qualify for employment
Group 1 Automotive, a Fortune 250 company, is a leading operator of automotive dealerships and collision centers across the United States and United Kingdom. If you are in alignment with our values of integrity, transparency, professionalism, teamwork and respect - now might be the time for you to accelerate your career as part of the best company in automotive retail.
Group 1 Automotive is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and participates in E-Verify.
See all 5+ Automotive Technician jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as an Automotive Technician
Translate your credentials into U.S. standards
Get your foreign technical certifications evaluated against ASE (Automotive Service Excellence) standards before applying. U.S. host employers assess candidates on recognizable benchmarks, and a credential evaluation report strengthens your training plan application considerably.
Build a training plan around specific competencies
Your J-1 Trainee program requires a detailed Training Plan (Form DS-7002) outlining the skills you'll develop. Map it to specific automotive systems, such as diagnostics, ADAS calibration, or EV powertrain repair, rather than listing generic workshop tasks.
Target dealerships with OEM-certified service departments
Host employers in automotive service need the infrastructure to supervise structured training. Franchised dealerships with manufacturer certification programs are better positioned to satisfy your designated sponsor's host employer vetting requirements than independent shops.
Search Migrate Mate to identify J-1-aligned host employers
Use Migrate Mate to filter U.S. automotive employers who have posted roles open to exchange visitors. Matching on role type and location before contacting a designated sponsor saves weeks of back-and-forth during the host employer approval stage.
Confirm your sponsor before accepting any offer
The employer who hires you is your host, not your visa sponsor. A designated sponsor organization, such as Cultural Vistas or AIPT, must approve the host employer and issue your DS-2019. Secure sponsor approval in writing before resigning from your current position abroad.
Understand the two-year home residency requirement early
Some J-1 Trainee participants are subject to a two-year home-country residency requirement upon program completion, which can block immediate H-1B or green card transitions. Check your DS-2019 and country of funding status with your designated sponsor before committing to a multi-year career plan in the U.S.
Automotive Technician jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Automotive Technician JobsAutomotive Technician J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category applies to automotive technicians?
The J-1 Trainee category applies to automotive professionals who have a degree or professional certificate plus at least one year of work experience outside the U.S. The Intern category covers current students or those who graduated within the past 12 months. Both require a structured training plan and a designated sponsor to issue the DS-2019, not your employer directly.
Can a small independent auto shop host a J-1 Trainee?
It is possible but uncommon. Designated sponsor organizations vet host employers for financial stability, supervision capacity, and the ability to deliver structured training. Small independent shops often lack the formal training infrastructure required. Franchised dealerships or regional service chains are more likely to meet the host employer eligibility criteria that sponsors like Cultural Vistas or AIPT apply.
How do I find U.S. automotive employers open to J-1 exchange visitors?
Migrate Mate lets you filter roles by visa type and location, making it practical to identify U.S. automotive employers whose postings align with J-1 exchange visitor programs. Once you have a prospective host employer, you bring that match to your designated sponsor, who then conducts the official host employer review and issues your DS-2019 if approved.
What does the DS-7002 Training Plan need to cover for an automotive role?
The DS-7002 must detail the specific technical competencies you'll develop, the supervision arrangement, work hours, and measurable phase objectives. For automotive technicians, this typically means itemizing systems you'll train on, such as powertrain diagnostics, emissions compliance, or electric vehicle servicing, with timeline milestones for each phase. Generic descriptions of workshop work are routinely rejected by designated sponsors.
Does completing a J-1 Trainee program in automotive work affect future U.S. visa options?
It can. If your DS-2019 is funded by your home country's government or an international organization, you may be subject to the two-year home residency requirement under INA Section 212(e). This requirement must be fulfilled or waived before you can change to H-1B, L-1, or most immigrant visa categories. Confirm your funding source with your designated sponsor before the program starts.
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