J-1 Visa Program Specialist Jobs

Program Specialist roles in the United States are typically available to exchange visitors under the J-1 visa Specialist category, which covers professionals with specialized skills not widely available domestically. A U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization issues your DS-2019 and handles sponsorship, while the hiring organization serves as your host employer.

Find J-1 Visa Program Specialist Jobs

Overview

Open Jobs15+
Work Type87% On-site
Top LocationRahway, NJ
Most JobsMerck

Showing 5 of 15+ Program Specialist jobs

Merck
Finance Leadership Development Program, Audit Specialist
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Merck
Added 1w ago
Finance Leadership Development Program, Audit Specialist
Merck
Rahway, New Jersey
Finance
Accounting
Business Operations
Compliance & Legal
Audit
$79k - $125k/yr
Hybrid
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Apex Tool Group
Supply Chain & Operations Leadership Development Program
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Apex Tool Group
Added 2d ago
Supply Chain & Operations Leadership Development Program
Apex Tool Group
Jonesboro, Arkansas
Procurement & Supply Chain
Project & Program Management
Supply Chain
Logistics & Fleet Management
Procurement & Purchasing
On-Site
Bachelor's
5,001-10,000

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Restaurant Brands International
Operations Leadership Development Program
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Restaurant Brands International
Added 4d ago
Operations Leadership Development Program
Restaurant Brands International
Miami, Florida
Project & Program Management
Human Resources
Customer Service & Support
Hospitality & Guest Services
Hospitality Management
On-Site
Bachelor's
1,001-5,000

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Andersen Corporation
Operations Leadership Development Program
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Andersen Corporation
Added 6d ago
Operations Leadership Development Program
Andersen Corporation
Bayport, Minnesota
Project & Program Management
Business Operations
Procurement & Supply Chain
Industrial & Manufacturing Engineering
Supply Chain
Manufacturing Engineering
$70k - $105k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
5,001-10,000

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Kerry
Procurement Leadership Development Program
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Kerry
Added 1w ago
Procurement Leadership Development Program
Kerry
Beloit, Wisconsin
Procurement & Supply Chain
Procurement & Purchasing
Supply Chain
$65k - $70k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
10,000+

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Tips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a Program Specialist

Document your specialized expertise clearly

Designated sponsors approve Specialist category applicants based on skills not widely available in the U.S. Gather evidence of your unique professional background, including certifications, publications, and letters from prior employers confirming the specialized nature of your work.

Verify your host employer qualifies

Not every organization can serve as a J-1 host. Confirm your prospective employer has an existing agreement with a State Department-designated sponsor, or is willing to establish one before extending an offer.

Search targeted roles on Migrate Mate

Use Migrate Mate to filter Program Specialist openings at organizations with J-1 hosting experience, so you're not cold-applying to employers unfamiliar with the Specialist category's training plan and compliance requirements.

Request the training plan before accepting

The DS-7002 training plan is a legal requirement for J-1 Specialist placements. Ask your host employer to draft it before you accept the offer, since a vague or incomplete plan can stall DS-2019 issuance and delay your start date.

Check whether your role triggers the two-year rule

The J-1 Specialist category can carry a two-year home residency requirement if your position is funded by a U.S. government agency or your home country appears on the Exchange Visitor Skills List. Confirm this before signing any agreement.

Align your program duration with project scope

J-1 Specialist status is granted for the time needed to complete the exchange objective, up to the maximum allowed period. Frame your program duration around concrete deliverables so your designated sponsor can justify the requested length when issuing the DS-2019.

Program Specialist J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions

Which J-1 program category fits a Program Specialist role?

Program Specialist positions typically fall under the J-1 Specialist category, designed for professionals with specialized skills that are not widely available in the United States. This is distinct from the Trainee or Intern categories, which are tied to degree programs or early-career structured training. Your designated sponsor will confirm the appropriate category based on your background and the host employer's program objectives.

Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa as a Program Specialist?

Your J-1 visa is sponsored by a U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization, not your hiring employer. The designated sponsor issues your DS-2019 form and is legally responsible for monitoring your program compliance. Your hiring organization is the host employer, which works with the sponsor but does not hold sponsorship authority itself. Organizations like Cultural Vistas and CIEE administer these arrangements for Specialist placements.

How do I find Program Specialist roles where employers already understand J-1 hosting?

Many employers are unfamiliar with the J-1 Specialist category's training plan and compliance obligations, which can slow or derail an offer. Migrate Mate lets you search for Program Specialist positions at organizations with demonstrated J-1 hosting experience, reducing the time you spend educating employers about the process before you can move forward.

What is the DS-7002 and why does it matter for this role?

The DS-7002 is a formal training plan that your host employer must complete for J-1 Specialist placements. It outlines your specific activities, learning objectives, and supervisor responsibilities. Designated sponsors use it to assess whether your program meets exchange visitor standards. A poorly written DS-7002 is one of the most common reasons DS-2019 issuance gets delayed, so push your host to draft it early in the process.

Can the two-year home residency requirement affect Program Specialist exchange visitors?

Yes. J-1 Specialist exchange visitors may be subject to the two-year home residency requirement under INA Section 212(e) if their position is financed by a U.S. or foreign government agency, or if their home country is listed on the State Department's Exchange Visitor Skills List. If this requirement applies, you must return to your home country for two years before you can change to most other nonimmigrant visa categories or apply for a green card.