Arrival in the United States
Arrival in the U.S.
InterExchange Career Training USA Contact Information
Once in the U.S., participants must contact InterExchange with any questions or concerns regarding their program and visa. We can be reached at our toll free number: 1-(888)-621-1202. Participants should always use this number during business hours: Monday through Friday, 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. EST. If there is an emergency (the participant is hospitalized, arrested, detained by immigration officials, etc.) outside business hours, participants may call our emergency line: 1-(917)-373-0994.
Some participants may have already developed a relationship with you and feel more comfortable reaching out to you. However, you must inform us of any concerns participants may express to you either before or after they arrive in the U.S. and instruct them to contact InterExchange first when they are in the U.S. This includes but is not limited to:
- Workplace Problems
- Training Plan Updates
- Accidents and Injuries
- Early Departure Plans
The safety and well-being of our participants is our top priority, and we appreciate your help in ensuring they have a successful stay in the U.S. Upon arrival, participants become our responsibility, and it is imperative they notify us immediately with any problems, questions or concerns.
Activation of SEVIS Record
Participants can arrive in the U.S. up to 30 days before their program start date. Within 10 days of arrival, participants’ records need to be activated in SEVIS.
They must complete the Arrival Form to let us know they have arrived and to provide us with their residential address and phone number. Instructions on completing this form are sent to participants a few days before their program start date. If they do not complete this, their programs will be canceled and they will either be asked to leave the U.S. or they will need to pay a fee to have their record reinstated in SEVIS. Further, until their SEVIS record is activated, participants will not be able to apply for a Social Security Number, which is required in order to receive compensation and to obtain a bank account, driver’s license, and sometimes even an apartment.
Any change of address during the program must be updated in SEVIS within 10 days of the change. Participants should also notify InterExchange immediately of any changes to their email address in order to ensure they continue receiving program information and updates. We will contact participants monthly to verify that we still have their correct information; failure to respond to our request within 10 days will result in removal from the program. Maintaining accurate SEVIS information is essential, as is responding to all communications sent from InterExchange Career Training USA.
Personal Safety & Welfare
Advise participants to be aware of the Wilberforce Act, which protects them from human trafficking and abuse. Advise them of safety measures to prevent trafficking.
Please view the following pamphlet for more information: www.InterExchange.org/WFA-pamphlet
Encourage them to become familiar with the program information available in our Participant Resource Center, especially the section on Health & Safety.
