J-1 Visa Groom Jobs
Groom positions at U.S. equestrian centers, racetracks, and breeding farms can qualify for J-1 visa Trainee or Intern sponsorship, giving you structured, hands-on experience in American horse care that a tourist visa can't provide. A designated sponsor organization issues your DS-2019 once a host employer commits to a formal training plan.
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Get Access To All JobsJob Title: Kentucky Room Student Intern
Requisition Number: DU14722
Department Name: 8E006:African American Studies & Res
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Salary Range: $20.00/hour
Type of Position: Student
Position Time Status: Part-Time
Required Education
Current UK Undergraduate
Required Related Experience
N/A
Required License/Registration/Certification
N/A
Physical Requirements
* View computer monitor and read/comprehend alphabetical and numerical sequences on library materials.
* Efficiently operate and manipulate equipment such as keyboard, mouse, printer, and copier equipment.
* Transport, place, and remove books from any shelf of a 90” high shelving unit.
* Climb a step stool or alternate method to secure books and other library materials.
* Perform essential functions which require transporting materials weighing up to 40 lbs. and standing for periods of 2-3 hours.
* The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.
* Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Shift
To be determined between student intern and library supervisor.
Job Summary
The Intern will work with archival materials related to Black Studies in the Kentucky Room. The Intern must agree to a criminal background check and attend the library’s new employee orientation.
Interns must follow the library’s dress code and behave professionally while working. The Intern’s work schedule can be flexible during the library’s hours of operation from 9:30 am to 7 pm, but the schedule must be arranged with the library. The Intern must follow the schedule they commit to and must arrange non-emergency changes at least one week before.
During the internship, the student will:
* Receive an overview of general archival practices from a Kentucky Room Librarian.
* Complete a sample 100-question list used in all desk training for Kentucky Room resources.
Possible Projects:
* Receive at least one digitization project for the library’s collection.
* Scan and edit images.
* Enter metadata into digitization software.
* Contribute to walking tours/develop public resources.
* Develop a finding aid following procedure for the digital collection.
* Work on describing uncatalogued collections, depending on time and staffing.
* Work tracking down articles and resources sent to the Lexington Public Library email reference service at the direction of the Librarian.
The Student Intern will write a two-page reflection paper on what they have learned during the internship and submit it to the Faculty Supervisor during the final week of class.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
Basic computing. Organizing information. Black Studies/History background a plus.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
Preferred Education/Experience
N/A
Deadline to Apply: 08/02/2026
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
Job Title: Kentucky Room Student Intern
Requisition Number: DU14722
Department Name: 8E006:African American Studies & Res
Work Location: Lexington, KY
Salary Range: $20.00/hour
Type of Position: Student
Position Time Status: Part-Time
Required Education
Current UK Undergraduate
Required Related Experience
N/A
Required License/Registration/Certification
N/A
Physical Requirements
* View computer monitor and read/comprehend alphabetical and numerical sequences on library materials.
* Efficiently operate and manipulate equipment such as keyboard, mouse, printer, and copier equipment.
* Transport, place, and remove books from any shelf of a 90” high shelving unit.
* Climb a step stool or alternate method to secure books and other library materials.
* Perform essential functions which require transporting materials weighing up to 40 lbs. and standing for periods of 2-3 hours.
* The physical demands described here are representative of those that an employee must meet to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.
* Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Shift
To be determined between student intern and library supervisor.
Job Summary
The Intern will work with archival materials related to Black Studies in the Kentucky Room. The Intern must agree to a criminal background check and attend the library’s new employee orientation.
Interns must follow the library’s dress code and behave professionally while working. The Intern’s work schedule can be flexible during the library’s hours of operation from 9:30 am to 7 pm, but the schedule must be arranged with the library. The Intern must follow the schedule they commit to and must arrange non-emergency changes at least one week before.
During the internship, the student will:
* Receive an overview of general archival practices from a Kentucky Room Librarian.
* Complete a sample 100-question list used in all desk training for Kentucky Room resources.
Possible Projects:
* Receive at least one digitization project for the library’s collection.
* Scan and edit images.
* Enter metadata into digitization software.
* Contribute to walking tours/develop public resources.
* Develop a finding aid following procedure for the digital collection.
* Work on describing uncatalogued collections, depending on time and staffing.
* Work tracking down articles and resources sent to the Lexington Public Library email reference service at the direction of the Librarian.
The Student Intern will write a two-page reflection paper on what they have learned during the internship and submit it to the Faculty Supervisor during the final week of class.
Skills / Knowledge / Abilities
Basic computing. Organizing information. Black Studies/History background a plus.
Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? No
Preferred Education/Experience
N/A
Deadline to Apply: 08/02/2026
We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.
The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.
Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship in Groom
Build a training plan before approaching employers
Host employers must submit a structured training plan to your designated sponsor before the DS-2019 is issued. Document your horsemanship skills, the disciplines you want to develop, and measurable learning objectives so the host can populate this form accurately.
Target equestrian facilities with international staff histories
Thoroughbred racing stables, hunter-jumper barns, and polo farms that have previously hosted grooms from abroad already understand the DS-2019 process. Facilities new to J-1 hosting face a steeper compliance learning curve that can delay your start date.
Verify your program category matches your career stage
Current students enrolled in equine science or veterinary programs typically qualify for the Intern category. If you've graduated and have at least one year of professional grooming experience, the Trainee category applies and allows a longer placement of up to 18 months.
Search Migrate Mate to find J-1-aligned groom roles
Not every barn lists positions with J-1 context in mind. Use Migrate Mate to surface U.S. equestrian employers whose hiring patterns and role descriptions align with exchange visitor program requirements, saving you the time of cold-filtering general job boards.
Clarify who bears the 2-year home residency requirement
If your J-1 is funded by your home government or falls under a bilateral exchange agreement, you may face a two-year home-country residency requirement after your program ends. Confirm your eligibility for a waiver with your designated sponsor before signing any host employer agreement.
Prepare your DS-2019 documents before the sponsor review
Designated sponsors such as CIEE or Cultural Vistas require proof of English proficiency, a valid passport, financial solvency documentation, and a signed host employer commitment letter before issuing your DS-2019. Assembling these in advance prevents delays in the sponsor's review cycle.
Groom J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits a groom position?
Most groom placements fall under the Trainee category for professionals with at least one year of post-degree or post-secondary equestrian experience, or the Intern category for students currently enrolled in an equine science, agriculture, or veterinary program. The category determines your maximum program length and the specific training plan your host employer must submit to the designated sponsor.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa for a groom job?
A U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization, such as CIEE, Cultural Vistas, or AIPT, is your visa sponsor. The organization issues your DS-2019 form and monitors compliance throughout your program. The equestrian facility, racetrack, or breeding farm where you work is your host employer, not your sponsor. These are two separate parties with distinct legal roles.
How do I find U.S. equestrian employers willing to host a J-1 groom?
Migrate Mate lets you search U.S. employers with hiring patterns that align with J-1 exchange visitor requirements, which is especially useful in the equestrian sector where many positions aren't formally labeled as J-1 placements. Filtering by role type and industry gives you a realistic shortlist of host employers to approach with a formal training plan proposal.
Can a groom on a J-1 Trainee visa switch host employers mid-program?
Changing host employers requires your designated sponsor's prior approval and an amended DS-2019 reflecting the new host, a revised training plan, and confirmation that the new facility meets program requirements. Starting work at a new barn without notifying your sponsor puts your J-1 status at risk and can trigger a program termination that affects future U.S. visa eligibility.
Does the 2-year home residency requirement apply to J-1 grooms?
It depends on your funding source and nationality. If your exchange program is financed by your home government or by the U.S. government, or if your home country is on the State Department's skills list, you are subject to the two-year home residency requirement under INA section 212(e). Your designated sponsor can clarify whether a waiver application is available in your specific situation before you commit to a host employer.