What Is a J-1 Visa? History, Purpose, and Program Categories

At Summa Global Education (US Trainee), we operate as a designated sponsor of the J-1 Trainee Program. Many visitors to our site may be wondering: What exactly is the J-1 visa?

The J-1 visa is not just a document — it is a U.S. Department of State program designed to promote international educational and cultural exchange. While we specialize in the Trainee category, it’s important to understand the history, purpose, and variety of categories that fall under the J-1 umbrella.

History of the J-1 Visa

The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program was created under the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (the Fulbright-Hays Act). Its purpose was to increase mutual understanding between the United States and other countries through educational and cultural exchange.

Over time, the program expanded to include a variety of categories, allowing students, professionals, teachers, researchers, and more to come to the U.S. temporarily to gain skills and share their culture.

Purpose of the J-1 Visa

The J-1 program has two primary goals:

Cultural Exchange – Participants learn about American society while sharing their own traditions, languages, and perspectives with U.S. communities.
Educational & Professional Growth – Participants develop practical skills, academic knowledge, or professional expertise in a structured setting, then bring those experiences back to their home country.

This “two-way exchange” is what makes the J-1 visa unique compared to work or study visas.

J-1 Program Categories

The J-1 visa is not a single program but a collection of categories. Each category has its own requirements, length of stay, and objectives. Examples include:

High School Exchange Students
Interns (university students or recent graduates)
Trainees (young professionals with experience)
Teachers
Professors & Research Scholars
Short-Term Scholars
Au Pairs
Camp Counselors
Physicians (non-clinical research or training)

Among these, the Intern and Trainee categories are often confused — which is why we created a separate guide comparing them.

Why We Focus on Trainees

As a sponsor, our mission is to guide young professionals through the Trainee program. This track allows participants to spend up to 18 months in the U.S. (12 months in Hospitality & Tourism), gaining hands-on training, building leadership skills, and preparing for global careers.

Next Steps

Interested in the J-1 Trainee Program?

✍️ Register at: https://j1.ustrainee.org/
📧 Email us: ustrainee@anbeducation.com
🌐 Organization: Summa Global Education (US Trainee)