A US Department of State J-1 Visa Sponsor

Dear Employer,
This individual is an Exchange Visitor to the United States sponsored by International Exchange of North America
(IENA). He/she is participating in Exchange Visitor Program P-4-11738 designated by the United States Department
of State (DoS). Such participants are admitted to the United States under Section 101(a)(15)(J) of the Immigration
and Nationality Act. J-1 visa status is established by the J-1 visa stamp in the passport, CBP Form I-94 and State
Department Form DS-2019.
The purpose of this “Work/Travel” program is to allow selected university students from abroad to gain a greater
understanding and appreciation of the United States by encouraging them to spend up to twelve months here in
order to travel, meet Americans and see first-hand the variety, complexity and energy of America. As the costs of
such a trip are beyond most students, the United States Government allows them to defray those costs by obtaining
employment during the period defined on the DS-2019. Although this program is authorized by DoS, there is no
government funding (local, federal or foreign).
Each participant possesses a DS-2019 form specifying sponsorship by IENA. This will help you verify each
participant’s eligibility for employment under the Immigration and Reform Control Act (IRCA) by completing the
necessary I-9 form (https://www.uscis.gov/i-9). See the I-9 Handbook for Employers for detailed information . You
will also need to examine his/her passport to confirm lawful admission. Each participant has a sample I-9 to help
you.
In addition and as required by regulations, each participant on Program P-4-11738 has been given explicit
permission to work by IENA. Each job must be approved by IENA via a simple Employer Data Form provided to
you by the participant. As an employee, each participant must be covered by your Workers’ Compensation and
Liability insurances. An employer FAQ is attached.
Each applicant must apply for a Social Security Number. You can check either the actual card or the SSA receipt
confirming that it has legitimately been applied for and documents are being verified. Each applicant has a letter
from Social Security, an application form and instructions. Forms are also available at www.ssa.gov/online/ss-
5.pdf). Social Security cards/numbers are issued centrally from Baltimore (not the office where the application is
submitted) and usually take about 10 days to be processed (SSA has to verify immigration status first). The receipt
should be used for payroll purposes in the meantime.
Each participant should complete a W-4 form (www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/fw4.pdf) and has written instructions on
how to do this. If the SSN is not yet available, enter “Applied For” in #2 and obtain a new W-4 when it is. You should
issue a W-2 at the end of the year (unless the earnings are less than $4,150) so he/she can file a 1040NR. If the SSN is
not yet available at the W-2 stage, enter “Applied For” instead of the number and complete a W-2c when it is (see
2018 IRS Publication 15, Circular E, Employer’s Tax Guide , p.13, Applying for a Social Security Number, available at
www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p15.pdf).
J-1 participants are not eligible for Social Security or unemployment benefits and so are NOT subject to Social
Security, Medicare or federal unemployment taxes. You can verify this on page 40 of IRS 2018 Publication 15
under paragraph 5 of the section headed Students, scholars, trainees, teachers, etc. With this (major) exception,
applicants are subject to federal (see attached sheet for special IRS instructions), state and city tax procedures.
We hope that you will be able to employ this Exchange Visitor and that you will also benefit from this experience
according to the aims of this international exchange visa category.

Sincerely,

Scott Curry
Responsible Officer 2018

699 Washington Street Ste 203, Hackettstown NJ 07840. Tel/Fax: (888) 724 4292