The J-1 Visa: How to Sponsor An International Technician in Your Lab
Posted Apr 28, 2011 in Management
Five years ago, Jesse & Frichtel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania was thriving, but co-owners Mark Frichtel and Sven Jesse wanted help fabricating complex cases in their implant department. Unable to find a qualified technician locally, they turned to Jesse's native country, Germany. On a recommendation from the German government, they learned of the J-1 visa, which allows an overseas professional to train in his field in the United States for up to 18 months.
"We knew that Germany's rigorous standards meant we were starting out with good technicians who have the ability to do high quality work," says Frichtel. "We provide a year of intensive training and get six months of productivity but there's a long-term payoff because we continue to outsource work to some of them once they return to Germany. Since we've trained them, we are confident their work will meet our standards," says Frichtel, who has hosted 11 technicians.
In addition to supplementing...
