J1 Visa Sponsorship for Architects & Engineers

Architectural design is more than aesthetics—it influences how we think, feel, and interact. The spaces we inhabit affect our mental health, productivity, and social behaviors, making thoughtful design essential in workplaces, healthcare facilities, and educational institutions.

Workspaces: Productivity and Well-being

Office design plays a crucial role in employee performance and well-being. Open-plan offices, intended to encourage collaboration, can sometimes lead to distractions and stress. Poor lighting, lack of privacy, and inadequate ventilation negatively impact focus and job satisfaction. Conversely, biophilic design—incorporating natural elements like plants, natural light, and organic materials—has been shown to reduce stress and boost creativity. Ergonomic furniture, quiet zones, and flexible layouts can further enhance productivity and job satisfaction.

Healthcare Environments: Healing Through Design

The impact of architecture in healthcare is profound. Patients recover faster in spaces designed with natural light, calming colors, and access to nature. Studies have shown that hospital rooms with views of greenery can reduce stress and pain perception. Wayfinding—the ease with which people navigate a space—affects patient and visitor anxiety levels. Thoughtful layouts that minimize noise, provide comfortable waiting areas, and facilitate clear movement patterns contribute to better patient experiences and outcomes.

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Educational Spaces: Enhancing Learning and Socialization

Classroom design influences student engagement and academic performance. Traditional rows of desks may not suit modern learning needs, whereas flexible seating arrangements and breakout spaces encourage collaboration and active participation. Access to natural light has been linked to improved concentration and cognitive function, while acoustic design helps maintain focus. Schools with well-designed communal areas foster positive social interactions, reducing stress and promoting a sense of belonging.

The Future of Human-Centered Design

As research continues to reveal the connection between architecture and psychology, designers and architects are prioritizing human-centered design. Whether in workplaces, hospitals, or schools, thoughtful design choices can enhance well-being, productivity, and social connectivity. By integrating psychological insights into architecture, we can create environments that support rather than hinder human potential.

Understanding how design shapes behavior and mental health isn’t just an academic exercise—it’s a necessity for creating spaces that improve lives.

When entering our program, there are two different routes that you can take. One is the J1-Visa and the other is the Job+J1 Visa. The main differences between both programs is the “Job” part, and that means us being the ones that find you the placement. So basically, it depends on what it is that you are looking for. Do you want us to sponsor your Visa after you have already found a job opportunity in the States, or do you want us to present you with different job opportunities for you as well? There are candidates which already have an offer in the States and all they are looking for is the right Visa that will take them there in as short amount of time. Which we will gladly facilitate for them and the Host Company which is looking to add the participant to the team. On the other hand, there are participants which join the Job + J1 Visa Program as we will also find them the right intern or training opportunity for them. Putting our participants in the front steps of leaders in the Industry, and securing all the documentation that is required prior to the move.

1. Job

With the Job+J1 we are constantly presenting you with new offers and offers from our partner companies that are looking to bring in somebody new to their team. We are continuously growing the number of companies that we are working with and we are able to put your CV and Portfolio in their sights. Making sure that they keep us updated on the reviewing process and the interviews. If you do not have an offer yet, this is probably the quickest way for you to find a job in the States!

2. Cost

Both program fees make sure that they cover J-1 Visa application processing fees, issuance and shipping of the DS-2019 and acceptance packet, Accident and Sickness Insurance, the mandatory SEVIS Fee, Informative Dossier, 24 Hour Emergency support, and the English interview. The difference is in the added cost of the Job+J-1 Visa, and that is the 8% of the yearly salary that is offered by the American Company.

3. Communication

During the duration of the Job+J1 program we are also in communication with the Host Company to make sure that the training plan that was set by the company is being followed and that you are provided with the adequate training experience that you were looking for. We also make sure that all the necessary communication that is needed is covered by our end, that way the participant does not have to be in constant check with the company for the documentation.

What happens after a job interview might just be as important as what happens during the interview. This is still a crucial part of the process with the company and one that you want to handle correctly. This part could actually result in the difference between you landing the job, or receiving a rejection letter. So make sure that you don’t jeopardize your chances at this opportunity and follow these three simple steps after you have already done you interview at a firm.

1. Thank you email

After having your interview, it is always, and I mean always, important that you thank the interviewer -all of the ones present at the interview- for their time and the opportunity to interview with them. Try to personalize this email as much as you can, as this will help you express your gratitude towards the employer and make sure that you are still on their minds after the interview. We can give you tips on what to include in the thank you email.

2. Follow-up

If some time has passed, you want to make sure that you send a follow-up email. This email has to be very short and concise. You want to make sure that you give enough time for the employer to review your work but also not enough for them to forget you. Also, if you make the email too long it might seem that you are desperate for the job, and you don’t want that either.

3. Be patient

We know that waiting for the reply for a company is extremely stressful. However, you also have to keep in mind that the process takes time, and as much as we would like to think we are the only applicants, they are still looking at other profiles, and may also be waiting for a bigger project to come through. So be patient! Replaying the interview in your head or thinking about other things you could have done will only lead to frustration. It’s good to be critical of yourself, but there is a balance as well.

Join the Architect-US family, and take advantage of the information and insight we have for you for free. DO NOT FORGET THE Portfolio Plans to Career Advice. 🙏🙏🤓👌 Our Selection Committee of architects and designers with 10+ years of experience are a highly-qualified resource for you to take advantage while planning your next steps. Let us know where you stand in your career!

As with any job, there are several things that you have to take into consideration before beginning your job hunt. Every single profession has its own important piece that has to stand out, but overall it is all a culmination of well-organized and strategized planning that will get you that much closer to the job you’ve been looking for. You can think of all of your documents, records, curriculum, portfolio, business card, basically everything as a team. One has more importance than the other but overall to be successful all of the functioning parts have to work together for the win; landing that job.  If you are able to organize everything and give your self enough time to revise your work and adjust anything that can be improved and/or updated, all that comes next is effective strategizing.

1. Planning

Make sure that you review your work thoroughly to see if anything that may be missing, or parts/sections that can be removed. Add any recent projects that you’ve been working on so that companies know that you’ve been active in the last months before applying.  Think about everything that you need to do and set you’re a deadline and a set of daily goals that you will need to accomplish so that you meet that deadline, and stick to it!! Use spreadsheets to organize everything which you need to accomplish.

2. Research

Make sure that you are well aware of the current job market so that you know what job positions are out there, and also so you can get a picture of what the salaries are in the area that you are interested in. Research the different platforms out there such as Archinect, Glassdoor, Coroflot, AIA Career Center, and the many others so that you get a wide overview of the companies that are hiring and what they are looking for in candidates.

3. Execution

It is important that you send as many applications as you can. Similarly to the planning stage, try to set a minimum amount of applications that you will send on a daily basis. There more you send and the more your work is out there the more likely somebody will contact you for an interview. It really is a matter of quantity. Very importnant that you also make sure that all of your online profiles and LinkedIn are also up to date, this is very important.

What you do during your interview is just as important as what you do after your interview. You want to make sure that you are polite, and that you follow-up with the company not only to show your interest, but to be proactive as well. American companies take great value in that! So here we leave you with the top 3 things we always recommend the candidates of our Career Training Program to do after an interview with any company:

1. Post-Interview Email

Send a thank you email right after the interview with any firm. You want to make sure that you send it within 24 hours of the interview as well. That way your conversation with them is still fresh in their minds and they know of your interest with them. If you don’t know what to write in the post-interview email, make sure to check out this post detailing the four main things you should include.

2. Next Steps

Depending on how the interview finished and how the conversation was concluded, you want to make sure that the next steps are done correctly. You should always ask for the next steps moving forward, in which they will probably give you an estimated time for a decision from them. You want to make sure that you don’t overwhelm your employer with lots of questions so pay attention to what they tell you and try to stick to that.

3. Alert References

We know from experience that several firms like to call some of the references after the interview. So make sure that you alert your references and inform them that they might be receiving a call from an employer. You references are very important and you want to make sure that they are not getting cold-called. At this point, you can also let them know of anything that you might want them to stress in their recommendation.

After applying for an internship in late April, the day has finally come for me to relocate to California for the next year. The last weeks and months have been a back and forth with the host company and the sponsor, filling out documents and waiting, a lot of waiting.
The waiting part was a little stressful, as my timeline was a little tight. I finished my studies of interior architecture the end of last September and thus was only eligible for the exchange Programm until end of September.

My starting date at the architectural firm Woods + Dangaran is now set for September 19th and I am overly excited about it. However, I am also a little anxious. I spent the last 12 months travelling, surfing and skating through Central and North America, just going with the flow and living in the moment. What will it feel like to have a 9-6 schedule and hold responsibility for more than myself?

I took this break intentionally after completing my degree in interior architecture. The three years of study were fun and fulfilling, but also quite stressful. By taking a break for travelling I was hoping to get some new perspectives, become more independent and develop my personality. Before adding a masters degree to my studies, I am now excited to gain some more practical experience and further develop my taste and skills as an interior designer by completing this internship in Los Angeles.

I am very grateful for the support Architecht-US has provided me with during this process. However, there have also been some challenges along the way. I found the document names and numbers quite confusing, some are very similar, but not the same. Thankfully Sonia was always there to help me and is quick to respond 🙂 There is quite a bit of differing information out there on the internet, for example regarding what documents to bring to the embassy interview. I was worried about missing something and brought more documents than I needed to the interview. So in retrospect, I would say „Just trust Sonia and bring everything that’s shipped to you via FedEx before the appointment.

The interview itself was so quick, I couldn’t believe it. I was so happy to get my visa stamp and immediately booked my flight to LA. I wish I had been more patient, though. The officer at the embassy told me it would take one week for me to get my passport back. As I am writing this blog post, it has been two weeks already and I am waiting for UPS to deliver it today. Fingers crossed, that I can fly to LA tomorrow to start my adventure 😉

The J1 Visa program has numerous benefits to participants looking to gain a cross-cultural experience in an American firm. An experience which will provide you with tools and skill sets from experienced professionals within the field that you will be able to carry on throughout your professional career. However, as our program is overseen by the Department of State, there are a regulations that we must adhere to. With the help of our sister company –ASSE– we make sure that our program participants and host companies involved all comply with these regulations. That way we make sure that whichever company which you will begin working with, is up to the necessary standards that will give you the best experience possible. At Architect-US we also want to ensure that our participants -who enroll in our program or are just looking for J-1 Visa sponsorship – are able to get the right placement and all the help necessary throughout the visa issuance process and are given orientation for getting into the States. That way they meet all the necessary requirements and they can have the guidance they need to make this dream a reality. Since we have had some questions on this topic in the past, we wanted to share with you the 3 things which the program must not include under any circumstance.

1. Prohibited Positions

Participants may NOT (intern or trainee) participate in casual or unskilled labor positions. They also cannot take part in any type of position which provides any sort of therapy, counseling, care for another person, or medical and/or clinical help. Examples include physical therapy, speech therapy, dentistry, etc.).

2. Notoriety or Dispute

Our team strives to give you the best experience possible and we want to make sure that is beneficial to the host companies involved as well. That is why, we will not condone any sort of businesses or occupations which may bring you or the program into dispute or notoriety.

3. Recruitment

We cannot engage staffing or employment agencies to recruit or screen our program participants. That means that a third-party placement is out of the question!

So, if you have any other questions or doubts about the program make sure to let somebody in our team know and we will help you along the way. There are a lot of moving parts to the program but that is why our team is here to help you with every step.

American companies love hiring recent graduates and young architects which come from abroad. They recognize the fact that experiencing other cultures and diverse work environments is a great driver for personal development and knowledge of global practices and methods. An experience which is mutually beneficial to companies as they also benefit from hiring international talents as yourselves and gives them new business opportunities in foreign markets. They also profit from the talent you bring to the team and the experience you have. Something which the Job+J1 visa program will allow you to do by going to work in the United States for a period of up to 18 months. Accordingly, your resume will also get more valuable as you will be challenged in an environment with different views and insights than those from your home. Widening your perspective and giving you the opportunity to learn how American companies approach and accomplish different architectural projects.

Going to work in the States will open your mind in ways that you wouldn’t have imagined before. Employers know that this opportunity is a significant advantage in today’s world and one that will certainly open new doors in a growing cross-cultural world. Diversifying you academic and professional experience will bring great benefits to you as a professional and will take you out of your comfort zone. By participating in opportunities like this you will be able to market your newly acquired skillsets and it will make your application process in the future much easier. You have to be willing to take the initiative and at some point, take calculated risks that will propel you to new and exciting future opportunities and adventures. Over the years, architecture has become and has been for some time, a global industry. With more and more talents going to the U.S. to work, more approaches to problem solving and techniques will arise and the flow in the creative progress nourish those that come from all over the world and now live in the States.

It is no question that companies face challenges when it comes to hiring potential candidates to work in their firm. Great firms around the U.S. may be overlooked simply because the job description is not creating enough interest for candidates or it does not indicate the qualifications or even the opportunities that the company can offer clearly. So, it is not only applicants that have difficulty in finding the right opportunity, but also hiring managers in crafting the right job offer and creating enough noise for their own open positions. Which is completely understandable, the hiring process is complicated. There is also another issue at hand, and that is not creating a concise job ad which results in countless job applications from candidates that don’t really fit the requirements the employer is seeking in the first place. In order to make sure that promising candidates are sending in their applications, it is important that employers cover a few basic steps to avoid waste of the firm’s time and potential mishaps that may arise.

First things first, talent acquisition can be a very expensive process if not done correctly. That is why programs like Architect-US is appealing to a lot of American companies, as it presents firms with talented international candidates based on the requirements they are looking for. But, if you are a hiring manager or recruiter and you are in the process of creating a job ad, make sure that you optimize your hub where applications will come in so that the process becomes the least time consuming as possible. One valuable tool that you can use, and one which most architectural firms use is Archinect’s Application Center. It is important that you consider the use of the valuable tools out there because it will make the hiring process become more streamlined and organized.

Accordingly, you want to make sure that you curate the image of your firm, meaning that you want the applicant reading the job ad feel like they are getting an insight on what the firm’s internal work process and mission is. You can also do this by rerouting the applicant to a link of your firm’s profile. Perhaps even to social media accounts like Instagram or Facebook if you have one. You also want to make sure that you evaluate the current job market and you consider the current demand of the employee. Make your qualifications strict, and that you specify the aspects which you seek out the most. Essentially meaning that crafting a quality job ad that makes your firm stand out and will get more attention of quality talents out there as well. We know its easier said than done, but what is important to take in is that the better the job ad is, the more time you will save in the overall process.

Our Blog section at Architect-US is a great tool for you to learn about the Job+J1 program, life in the States, and most importantly how to maximize your potential and increase your chances of landing that dream job you’ve been looking for. If you are a young professional looking to gain experience in the US but you are uncertain about the program, simply look at our blog to learn about all of the benefits a program like this can bring to you. Once you have landed in the Blog section you will find different categories at the top of the page. Inside every category there are sub-categories for you to choose from that will answer any doubts and questions that you have. Our team has dedicated their time to cover all the important information that you will need to know for registration, approval, pre-departure information, rent and transportation in the city you are looking into, and all other aspects involving the program. Including exciting information about life in the States!! Use this section as a tool to improve and make changes to your CV and Portfolio to highlight the qualities that make you a great designer and will get employers interested in your work. Every doubt or questions that we have received from past and current participants we have tried to cover in our posts, and they will give you the guidance you need moving forwards.