Visa & Placement Assistance
Train and work in the USA with the American Hospitality Academy! AHA provides paid opportunities at leading resorts in the USA to exceptional professionals from around the world. Whether you seek placement assistance at an AHA Host Property, or you have already located a Host Property and would like to begin the application process, this website can provide you with the information you need to take that next step.Visa Types and Requirements
Requirements for all Visa Programs:
- Applicant must be at least 18 years of age.
- Applicant must have sufficient skills to function in an English-speaking environment, both during the normal work period and non-working hours.
- Must be able to show sufficient funds to support themselves during their program dates.
- The participant must be medically qualified to perform the specific duties to be assigned.
- Maintain health and accident insurance as required by the Department of State through out the entire duration of the program.
J-1 Summer Work Travel (4 month Maximum Visa)
- Applicant must be a current full time college student at the time of application.
- Must be able to communicate fluently in English.
- Must be on their summer break from school or graduating.
- All participants must return to school prior to the start of school in the fall unless they have recently graduated.
- Must have a degree or a certificate from a post-secondary academic institution plus one year of recent experience in a related field gained outside of the US.
- If the candidate does not meet the educational requirement they may qualify based on 5 years of verifiable related experience gained outside of the US.
- The applicant cannot have previously participated on a J-1 visa program in the same category or any other category in the previous 2 years. (Some exceptions to this criterion may apply for university students only.)
- Applicant must be currently enrolled in a post secondary degree or certificate granting institution or have graduated less than 12 months ago from the program start date. Subject of study must be direcly related to hotel/restaurant management, culinary arts, tourism or leisure management.
- If the intern has participated in a J-1 Internship Program they may participate again if they still qualify for this category and the new internship program is at an advanced level or covers a different subject matter from their previous program.
AHA offers placement assistance for all applicants through our network of resorts, hotels and restaurants through out the United States. Our host properties and locations are among some of the most prestigious in the country. Applicants are presented to our resort clients for review through our online database and are then selected by the resorts for an interview opportunity.
Self Placements
Applicants who have secured a placement with a company in the United States but need a visa sponsor may also apply to the AHA Passport to Culture program. The host company will be contacted to verify the placement and to complete the required documentation. AHA will then provide ongoing support to the applicant while in the US.
