Fees

Awesome news! HRC was able to significantly lower its fees and is now more competitive than ever!

We still do not charge any upfront administration fees and no payments need to be made until you have been accepted by the host employer / host school. Once you have been accepted into a program you have to pay:

• $1,250 for the J-1 visa (waived for culinary applicants in 2023)
• $220 SEVIS fee (waived for culinary applicants in 2023)
• $250 program- and insurance fee per month for the duration of your career program. This fee can be paid in monthly installments and includes the mandatory insurance.
• $185 consulate appointment fee
• Airfare, depending on season and location

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• $1,250 for the J-1 visa
• $220 SEVIS fee
• $90 program- and insurance fee per month. This fee can be paid in monthly installments and includes the mandatory insurance.
• $185 consulate appointment fee
• Airfare, depending on season and location
• For a detaled breakdown of additinal expenses, please donwload our comprehensive budget overview

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• U.S. consulate appointment fee in your home country of $185
• Airfare $500-$1,000
• Start-up capital $2,000-$2,500
• Accommodation and utilities $800-$1,000 p/m
• Food and transportation $200-$400
• Program amendment fee $250
• Transfer of program $695
• Travel validation (expedited) $50 ($100)
• J-2 dependent visa fee $750
• J-2 program and insurance fee $90 per month
• Host organization site visit fee $200

Additional for teachers

• Foreign education evaluation document $50-$75
• Criminal record (check your local authorities for fees)
• State licensing and state test (varies per state)
• Annual renewal fee J-1 $1,000 and J-2 $500
• Extension of program beyond maximum duration $1,000 + $367 mandatory Department of State fee

Refund policy

We strongly discourage applying if you are not 100% sure. Nevertheless, upon acceptance by the employer, no refund of the program fee, insurance fee or visa fee is issued, except when: a) serious personal injury or death in the immediate family (parent or sibling) or b) denial of visa issuance by the immigration authority prevents you from starting the placement. If the application is cancelled before Form DS-2019 is issued, 100% of the paid J-1 visa fee and 100% of the paid program- and insurance fee minus a $200 non-refundable administrative fee is refunded. After Form DS-2019 is issued, but before arrival in the US, 50% of the paid J-1 visa fee and 100% of the paid program- and insurance fee minus a $200 non-refundable administrative fee is refunded. No refunds of any kind are issued after arrival in the US. SEVIS fees are non-refundable. In the event that you have prepaid program- and insurance fees, 100% of the prepaid months minus an admin fee of $25 will be refunded in full only for the full months that are unused. For refunds of the free visa program, scholarship program or financial aid program other rules may apply. 

• €1,750 for the visa application fee and includes the first 4 months of your health insurance
• Airfare, depending on season and location

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We keep the process for growing your career simple and straightforward. Most importantly, we keep it personal. Our application process ensures that we make a proper inventory of your ambitions and career goals. We’ll walk you through everything you need to know, step by step.

Oh, and did we tell you that HRC is a Department of State designated J-1 visa sponsor?