US Companies Say "No Workers, Let's Hire Overseas Interns" [Correspondent Diary]

Increasing Attempts to Secure Interns via J1 Visa as Hiring Becomes Difficult
Desperate to Employ, Even Providing Plane Tickets

[Asia Economy New York=Correspondent Baek Jong-min] American companies struggling with labor shortages are even trying to attract overseas workers. In particular, inquiries from companies seeking even one-year short-term interns are flooding in.

[Image source=AP Yonhap News]

Hwang Sun-young, CEO of ICEF, a J1 visa sponsor recognized by the U.S. Department of State, said in an interview with Asia Economy on the 21st (local time), "Requests for J1 offers from companies are surging."

CEO Hwang explained, "Companies from various fields are trying to find interns. Since they cannot find workers within the U.S., they are turning their attention overseas."

It is not only local Korean companies that are seeking J1 interns through CEO Hwang. American companies are also actively utilizing this system.

The J1 visa is an exchange visitor visa issued by the U.S. Department of State. It allows short-term stays in the U.S. to work as interns or exchange students. The Department of State operates this program to enable participants to experience American culture, education, and business.

By carrying the 'DS-2019' document issued by J1 visa sponsors authorized by the Department of State and attending an interview at the U.S. embassy, applicants can obtain a visa and enter the U.S. Because there is a sponsor, the issuance process is simpler compared to other U.S. non-immigrant visas.

Although it is possible to work legally as an intern in the U.S. with a J1 visa, the stay period is only one year. Still, the reason companies use this system to secure manpower is simple: they cannot find workers.

CEO Hwang explained that J1 interns can now enter the U.S. more confidently than ever before. He mentioned that many companies are requesting to cover the airfare costs for interns coming to the U.S. This means companies calculate that it is better to secure employees even if they bear the airfare expenses.

The recent wage increase is also positive news for those seeking to visit the U.S. through the J1 visa. In New York City, the legal minimum wage has risen to $15, which has also increased interns' salaries. Due to the ripple effect of New York City's minimum wage hike, companies in neighboring New Jersey are also increasingly offering $15 wages to secure interns.

Cries about the difficulty of finding labor in the U.S. are heard everywhere. Recently, there were rumors that a job fair led by a Korean-American public institution had very few job seekers, causing great disappointment among participating companies.

The decline in job seekers in the U.S. is occurring amid a booming stock and cryptocurrency market, soaring real estate prices, increased early retirement among the elderly, and young people avoiding the traditional labor market.

Retailers requiring a large workforce are raising wages and even providing tuition and textbook fees for vocational colleges to attract young people.