MZQNNVisa Manager – J-1 Visa for Interns, Trainees, Teachers & Research Scholars – Cultural Vistas – Work from Home (USA)
Cultural Vistas’s mission is to promote international understanding through professional and cultural exchange. This is achieved by hosting and sending students, graduates and young professionals across the world. The organization has over 50 years of history and hosts more than 150,000 alumni from over 130 countries. It is safe to say that Cultural Vistas is universal and each program it has allows participants to stand out by gaining knowledge and even working experience in a certain field.
The main emphasis of any inter-organizational program is precisely the cross-cultural exchange and its impact on the participant’s future career. As mentioned prior, Cultural Vistas promotes its sponsors as well as their affiliates to inter-ethnic and inter-organizational networking opportunities.
Participants of the organization’s programs in the past have been actively involved in tackling issues that plague modern society and were able to utilize their acquired career benefits for the greater good.
Cultural Vistas strives for inclusion, equity and diversity as a foremost international exchange community objective.
This aim is focused on enabling participants to acquire the requisite mindset and skills that would empower them to cut across boundaries and ultimately aid international cooperation.
The organization seeks to expand its outreach by establishing contacts with various communities and advancing initiatives geared toward raising awareness of the global community at large and ideas exchange.
Area of consideration: Work from home, with preference for Baltimore, Washington D. C. or DMV area.
Compensation: $60- 65,000
Job Classification: Fulltime
Overseas Contact Person Position overview
Cultural Vistas seeks an experienced Visa or Immigration Manager who will manage and expand our J-1 Visa sponsorship business. Ideally the J-1 Visa candidate should be familiar with the program and possess strong skills in leading and managing teams that sponsor Interns, Trainees, Teachers as well as Research Scholars under the auspices of the Bridge USA program of the US Department of State.
As a Visa Manager it will be crucial for you to ensure that all client relations are properly handled and that the processes involved in obtaining the sponsorship of training and exchange programs J-1 visa are effectively managed.
As a supervisor of a group comprising Program Assistants and a team of specialists you will focus on stakeholder coordination and communication to facilitate visa sponsorship to the respective corporations and colleges for all the project participants.
Physical presence in Washington D.C. or its adjoining areas is appreciated due to the need to meet people occasionally and the collaboration with the team, however it is not a prerequisite as this role is completely remote.
Key Responsibilities
As a Visa Manager at Cultural Vistas, we will need you to do the following:
Client and Partner Management
A truly valuable aspect in your scope of work will be to maintain and develop relations with strategic customers and clients in the US, who use Cultural Vistas as their J-1 Visa sponsoring option.
It is your responsibility to ensure that all components of businesses host their partners within the agreed timeframes and all procedures in relation to the J-1 Visa are implemented as planned.
You will be assigned as the main contact person of the particular client and would be responsible for answering queries and complaints from the client while providing regular feedback on progress.
Your position will also include a number of responsibilities including the sponsorship of exchange visitors for the Department of State’s J-1 Internship and Trainee Program in regard of high profile partners such as University of Waterloo among many others; managing institutions to ensure consistency within the application stage and that all processes are governed by the required laws and regulations.
You will be accountable to push applications across the system, file supporting documents when needed, and unlock documents when necessary.
Moreover, you will have to proactively engage with compliance contacts across partnerships including other universities.
Visa Expertise & Compliance
You will support your team in J-1 Visa sponsorship as an Alternate Responsible Officer (ARO). You will supervise Visa Specialists and ensure that all sponsorship applications adhere to regulations enforced by the Department of State. For cases that are elevated to you regarding visa issues, you will specifically ensure that they are resolved properly and in accordance with US immigration laws.
In addition, you will assist in submission of SEVIS records and ensure that all detail of all participants are accurate and in compliance with all prevailing laws.
You will be the team’s expert when it comes to J-1 Visa compliance and you will ensure that your team is able to process applications with as much detail and accuracy as possible and in the shortest time possible.
Managing Client Accounts, Team Leadership and Team Development
Apart from preserving relationships with the clients, you also have to manage a Visa Specialist and Program Assistant team. You will be tasked with mentorship looking out for the career progression and performance of the team members.
Your ability to lead will be indispensable in making sure that team members can handle a lot of work, especially in peak times while looking at the quality and compliance measures set.
Additionally, you are also required to provide feedback and support to the team in managing affairs that are related to the J-1 Visa sponsorship. It must be noticed that in this role, there is a balancing act as it pertains, supporting the team and being in front of the clients.
Ensuring Efficiency and improvement in operational processes
As a member of the organization, you will be responsible for ensuring that all the activities done within Cultural Vistas are cut out and done efficiently. This encompasses analyzing currently used procedures for J-1 Visa sponsorship and determining which ones require amending.
All application materials must be adequately and efficiently screened and processed, starting from the submission to approving stages.
Moreover, working alongside several departments will be essential in ensuring optimal communication for the clients and the prompt resolution of problems. Also, you will make sure that all measures are taken to improve customers’ satisfaction and the satisfaction of partners and participants of the services provided.
Qualifications
To determine whether one is suitable or not for the position, one should consider the following factors:
Experience with J-1 Visa Sponsorship: An understanding of how the J-1 visa programs work, how they obtain the visa, what is expected them in terms of compliance, the application process and the roles of RO and ARO in particular.
Leadership Experience: Having been in a supervisory position whereby at least part of one’s responsibilities included supervision of staff, mentorship, and staff development to achieve organizational goals.
Strong Communication Skills: Effective verbal and written communication skills particularly with clients, corporate stakeholders and international relations. Even complex visa issues can be articulated in a straightforward and uncluttered manner.
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Ability: Capability to recognize problems and look ahead to devise and carry out solutions emphasizing on legal and regulatory requirements regarding visa sponsorship.
Detail Oriented: Good attention to detail and the capability of working on several projects simultaneously and ensuring deadlines and compliance targets are all met.
Cultural Competency: Capability to work across cultures and comprehend the expectations and requirements of international clients and partners.
Benefits
Cultural Vistas provides a solid package of benefits such as:
- Time Off
- 20 PTO days (prorated for the first year) will be provided each year as part of the PTO policy and the service of clients.
- Up to six sick days will be granted at the beginning of each year (prorated for the first year of service).
- A total of 12 official paid holidays and one floating holiday.
- Expected from the employees are (35 hours a week), covering their choice of working either four or five days.
Professional Development
- Reimbursing Certificate over $1000 every year after completing a period of a year in the company
- Reimbursing tuition of up to $2000 per year after the one year of service
- Use nonprofit ready and other sites that directly provide or assist in professional skills training.
- Health & Wellness
- A medical aide with coverage between 85% and 95%
- Insurance for dental and vision offering good coverage
- Life insurance along with short-term and long-term disability and also AD&D is covered
- Use the free gym at the DC office and claim back $100 per year for other or extra fitness related expenses.
Financial & Retirement Benefits
- Eligible for ‘403(b)’ retirement plan providing matching company contributions after a year of working.
- Home office related expenses such as pre tax commuting expenses
- Salaries intended for the end of the year will be raised according to the performance and applicable standards.
- Work-Life Balance
- Work life balance is supported by generous time off and the flexibility of work hours.
How to Apply
If you are interested in pursuing the Visa Manager post in Cultural Vistas, please visit our Cultural Vistas Careers Page and fill in the online application form.
In addition, include a cover letter giving your reasons why you consider yourself a fitting candidate.
- Applications are to be considered from 6th January, 2025. Any applications received after this date will be reviewed as needed.
- Cultural Vistas is a Hiring Firm that Practices Equal Opportunity
- Cultural Vistas is a hiring company that values diversity and inclusion and therefore welcomes applicants from all walks of life to apply.
Cultural Vistas has been central in working with global leaders for the past six decades. We are in the business of training global leaders who comprehend the realities of this world that is too complicated and interdependent and with the ability to make positive impact that is sustainable.
Cultural Vistas is also redefining the way individuals across different nations, cultures and religions connect, interact, learn and work by its outreach to over 130 countries.
