Bridge USA, previously known as the Exchange Visitor Program (J), 

is a temporary, non-immigrant visa for foreign students and young 

professionals wishing to participate in an exchange program.

 This visa type enables you to complete work-based training 

or studies in the USA for a period up to 12-18 months.

In addition, your sponsor organization will be responsible for your well being and training in the USA. You will maintain communication with them throughout your stay in the USA.

Your Host Organization/ Company is your site of training within the USA. Your site of training must be verified by your sponsor organization to ensure that they understand the terms of your training program and are able to comply with the requirements of the US Department of State to provide a successful training program for you.

The DS-7002 or Training Plan is the official agreement between yourself, your sponsor organization and your host organization. This training plan outlines important information regarding your training, such as: your position, training location, stipend, duration of your training, duties, cultural activities, and training rotation at your host organization. This official document will be signed by you, your sponsor and your supervisor(s) at your host organization.

The DS-2019 is your Certificate of Eligibility for the J-1 visa. This document is an official document issued by your visa sponsor together with the US Department of State.

This is a mandatory document, as important as the visa which is printed in your passport.

You will be required to show the DS-2019 at your U.S. Embassy Interview, and will be required to carry this document with you throughout the duration of your stay in the USA. The original, signed DS-2019 form will be shipped to you by your sponsor organization.

The DS-160 is your Online Nonimmigrant Visa Application Form. This is a multi-page online application form on the U.S. Government website. You will need to fill in and submit this application in order to apply for your visa and book your Embassy Appointment. You will also be required to make the non-refundable Visa Application or Appointment Fee.

SEVIS or the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, is the official government database for all students and exchange visitors. This system maintains records of all nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors and their training, while in the USA. All official information regarding your program is registered in this system by your sponsor organization.

All applicants of the J-1 visa category must attend an embassy appointment at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. This interview will be conducted with an embassy officer, who will ultimately decide if your visa will be granted. You must bring all required documents with you to the Embassy and answer the questions asked by the embassy officer in order to support your visa application.

In addition to the mandatory documents, there are additional supporting documents which you can bring with you to the Embassy, to support your visa application. The role of the embassy officer is to ensure that all applicants are travelling to the USA for justified reasons, and have the sufficient funds to support themselves while in the USA. The embassy officer will need to see that all applicants understand the purpose of the training program and the visa type they are applying for. To be able to prove these factors, it is recommended that you bring additional, supporting documents to prove your financial capabilities, and your ties to your home country.

Examples of supporting documentation:

Proof of residence in your home country or country of permanent residence.
Proof of financial capability: Bank statement of your account, or the account of your financial sponsor. If you are supported financially by another individual, you will be required to show a letter from this person, stating that they will support you financially.
Proof of internship/training: An official letter from your host organization in the USA.
Proof of intent and reason to leave the USA after the end of your training program. This can be in form of a Job Offer in your home country, Proof of continued employment in your home country, Proof of continued studies in your home country etc.