Center for International Career Development

What Center for International Career Development does

Center for International Career Development (CICD), operating as 'CICD by Intrax', is a U.S. Department of State designated J-1 visa sponsor headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Founded in 1997 as a subsidiary of Intrax (a cultural exchange organization with over 40 years of operating history), CICD issues DS-2019 and DS-7002 forms and administers three core programs: J-1 Internships and Training in the USA (up to 12-18 months for international students and early-career professionals), J-1 Summer Work and Travel in the USA (up to 4 months for university students), and the Intrax Teacher Exchange / BridgeUSA Teacher Exchange (up to 5 years for qualified international teachers). The company also offers Full Placement (pre-screened host company positions) and Self Placement (participant-secured internships) service options, alongside a teaching internship sub-program (ITIP). CICD sponsors approximately 3,000 participants annually through these programs, sourced via a self-serve website portal and an international partner agent network.

CICD's revenue model is built on two recurring streams: per-participant J-1 visa sponsorship fees (covering application vetting, DS-2019 issuance, and program administration) and monthly medical insurance premiums charged to participants. Specific pricing is not publicly disclosed and is quote-based, with the company emphasizing affordability. The technology layer is conventional — HubSpot CRM for participant data, HelloSign for electronic signatures, and Vertical Response for email — rather than proprietary or differentiated. Distribution combines direct digital channels (blog, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, email newsletter) with an overseas partner agent network that recruits and screens applicants in their home countries. CICD operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Intrax alongside sister organization NorthWest Student Exchange (NWSE), sharing CEO Jeff Laband as the senior executive across both entities.

The customer base is horizontally segmented across international college students, early-career professionals, international teachers, and Work & Travel participants. Named partners span culinary schools (Arizona Culinary Institute, Bellingham Technical College, Riverside City College Culinary Academy, Le Cordon Bleu Austin, Louisiana Culinary Institute), hospitality host companies (La Villa Archange, Le Bistrot des Anges in France), and international partner agencies (Global Insight International Exchange in Jamaica). The organization employs 51-100 people, and no external funding rounds, AI capabilities, or material acquisitions were disclosed in the available data.

Name

Center for International Career Development

Legal name

Center for International Career Development

Website

https://cicdgo.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Center for International Career Development (CICD) is a Seattle-based, U.S. Department of State designated J-1 visa sponsor operating as a subsidiary of Intrax. It administers internship, training, teacher exchange, and Work & Travel programs for international students, early-career professionals, and teachers, sponsoring roughly 3,000 participants annually through a website portal and an international partner agent network.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cultural Exchange Programs

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Professional and Management Development Training (61143)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Provider-Run International Internship Programs (Multi-Country/Multi-Industry) (EDAIAFAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

University-Sponsored International Internships & Co-op Placements (EDAIAFAB), Outbound Exchange Advising, Placement & Nomination Services (EDAIABAL), International Student Onboarding & Pre-Departure Orientation Services (EDAIACAG)

Keywords

• J-1 visa sponsorship
• Cultural exchange programs
• International internships
• Work and travel
• Teacher exchange programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Seattle

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. J-1 Visa Sponsorship Fees: CICD charges sponsorship fees to cover the visa application vetting process, DS-2019 form issuance, and program administration. The company states fees are kept low to make programs affordable.
2. Medical Insurance Premiums: Monthly medical insurance premiums charged to participants as part of program participation requirements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Center for International Career Development (CICD) is a U.S. Department of State designated J-1 visa sponsor that organizes cultural exchange programs enabling international students, early-career professionals, and qualified teachers to intern, train, work & travel, or teach in the United States for periods ranging from 4 months up to 5 years. The company issues DS-2019 and DS-7002 forms, vets applications, coordinates pre-screened or self-sourced host-company placements, and administers ongoing program support, serving approximately 3,000 participants annually.

Product overview

CICD is a cultural exchange program provider that operates as a single unified service offering J-1 visa sponsorship for international participants. The core portfolio consists of three main programs: J-1 Internships and Training in the USA (for students and professionals to gain professional experience at American companies, up to 12-18 months), J-1 Summer Work and Travel in the USA (for university students to work and travel during summer breaks, up to 4 months), and the Intrax Teacher Exchange Program/BridgeUSA Teacher Exchange (for teachers to work in American schools for up to five years). These programs are supported by Full Placement and Self Placement service options, allowing participants to either apply for pre-screened positions or secure their own host company before using CICD for visa sponsorship.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• J-1 Internships and Training: J-1 visa internship and training programs for international students and professionals
• Work & Travel USA
• Intrax Teacher Exchange Program
• International Teaching Intern Program (ITIP)

Products and services

• J-1 Internships and Training in the USA Affordable J-1 visa internship and professional training program that places international students and recent graduates at U.S. companies for periods of up to 12 months (Intern) or up to 18 months (Trainee) in fields related to their academic studies or occupational background.
• J-1 Summer Work and Travel in the USA Paid summer work and travel program on the J-1 visa allowing full-time university students enrolled outside the United States to work in the U.S. during their summer break and experience American daily life for up to 4 months.
• Intrax Teacher Exchange Program (BridgeUSA Teacher Exchange) J-1 visa sponsored teacher exchange placing qualified international teachers (minimum 2 years of full-time teaching experience) in accredited U.S. K-12 schools for up to 5 years, with cross-cultural and methodological exchange between American and international educators.
• Full Placement Program Service option under the J-1 Internships and Training program that connects participants with pre-screened host company positions familiar with the J-1 visa process, allowing applicants to browse and apply directly to roles matched to their qualifications.
• Self Placement Program Service option under the J-1 Internships and Training program in which participants secure their own internship or training position at a U.S. company and use CICD solely for J-1 visa sponsorship administration.
• International Teaching Intern Program (ITIP) J-1 visa sponsored teaching internship program enabling education students and educators to gain practical classroom teaching experience in U.S. schools.

Quantifiable outcome

• CICD sponsors approximately 3,000 participants on their programs each year
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• IntraxcoreOthersIntrax is the parent company of CICD. CICD operates as a subsidiary or brand under Intrax Inc., leveraging over 40 years of cultural exchange program experience. Job opportunities and careers are managed through Intrax's careers page.
• NorthWest Student Exchange (NWSE)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNWSE is CICD's sister organization, also led by CEO Jeff Laband as Executive Director. Both organizations collaborate on cultural exchange events and programs, hosting joint celebrations like the 'Year of the DS-2019' event in Seattle.
• BridgeUSAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCICD participates in the BridgeUSA Teacher Exchange program under the U.S. Department of State's cultural exchange initiative. This program facilitates teaching placements and cultural exchange activities between American and international schools.
• U.S. Department of State - Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCICD is an official U.S. Department of State designated sponsor for the J-1 Intern, Trainee, and Research Scholar Programs. The company operates under ECA guidelines and participates in the Early Career STEM Research Initiative.
• Intrax Teacher Exchange ProgramflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCICD administers the Intrax Teacher Exchange Program, creating international teaching placements and cultural exchange opportunities for educators. The program creates friendships and school partnerships across borders worldwide.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange): CIEE is the largest U.S. Department of State designated J-1 visa sponsor, operating J-1 Intern, Trainee, Work & Travel, and Teacher Exchange programs globally. It competes head-to-head with CICD across the same participant segments and uses a similar partner-agent distribution model.
• InterExchange: InterExchange is a designated J-1 visa sponsor offering Au Pair, Camp Counselor, Intern, Trainee, and Work & Travel programs. It targets the same international student and early-career professional segments as CICD, with comparable sponsorship fee structures and online application platforms.
• Cultural Vistas: Cultural Vistas (formed from the merger of Alliance Abroad and Cultural Vistas) is a designated J-1 sponsor administering Intern, Trainee, and Work & Travel programs. It directly competes with CICD for both international participants and U.S. host companies, particularly in professional/skilled occupations.
• Intrax: Intrax is CICD's parent company and operates overlapping exchange programs (AuPairCare, Ayusa, AmeriCamp). It shares back-office, compliance, and overseas agent infrastructure with CICD, and is the most direct structural comparator for unit economics and platform leverage.
• Global Experiences: Global Experiences is a designated J-1 visa sponsor focused on international internship placement for university students and graduates. It competes with CICD's Full Placement Program in the same intern persona and similar destination cities.
• AFS Intercultural Programs: AFS is a longstanding designated J-1 visa sponsor operating high school exchange, Intern, and Work & Travel programs globally. It is comparable to CICD in cultural exchange mission, regulatory designation, and target participant segments, with significant brand recognition.
• World Learning: World Learning administers the Fulbright Program and other J-1 Exchange Visitor Programs including Intern, Trainee, and Research Scholar categories. It overlaps with CICD's higher-skill/Research Scholar-adjacent exchanges and shares the State Department sponsor designation.
• Greenheart Exchange: Greenheart Exchange is a designated J-1 sponsor offering High School, Intern, Trainee, and Work & Travel programs. It targets overlapping international student segments with CICD and competes in similar host-company and school placement markets.
• BUNAC: BUNAC operates J-1 Work & Travel and internship programs primarily for university students from the UK, Ireland, and other English-speaking source markets. It overlaps directly with CICD's Summer Work & Travel USA offering for the same persona.

Emerging players

• API (Academic Programs International): API provides study abroad and international internship programs with J-1 visa sponsorship components, primarily for U.S. undergraduates going abroad (the inverse flow). It is comparable in placement/coordinator services but focuses on outbound rather than inbound exchange like CICD.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cicdgo
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCh9dMbTmFmoNvBkYFUP2Frg
• Facebookfacebook.com/cicdgo
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/center-for-international-career-development
• Instagraminstagram.com/explore/tags/cicdparticipants

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Center for International Career Development