What Architect-US does

Architect-US (legally International Career Experience S.L.) is a Madrid-headquartered career services firm that facilitates J1 visa sponsorship for international architects and engineers seeking professional internships or training in the United States. Founded in 2015 and incorporated as a Sociedad Limitada in Spain, the company operates within the U.S. Government's Exchange J1 Visitor Program framework, offering two service tiers: a J1 Visa Sponsorship-only package for candidates who already have an offer from a U.S. firm, and a combined "Job + J1 Visa" program that sources placements and handles all immigration documentation. A third offering, Host Company Services, onboards U.S. architecture and engineering firms as authorized sponsors at no cost and matches them with candidates based on academic background, work experience, and graphic portfolios.

The operational stack is service-based with no proprietary technology platform; components consist of an online registration portal, a structured multi-step application flow (registration, document submission, eligibility confirmation, training agreement signing, and DS-7002/DS-2019 issuance), and a content marketing infrastructure featuring a multi-language blog in English, Spanish, and Chinese alongside testimonial-driven channels on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube. Standard processing time from application to visa approval is 30 days.

Revenue is generated through per-participant professional service fees starting at $850, with pricing scaled based on whether the participant requires only visa sponsorship or full placement support. The go-to-market is hybrid: B2C outreach to international talent via SEO, content marketing, and social media, paired with direct B2B sales to U.S. architecture and engineering firms for host-company onboarding. The customer base is two-sided; named host companies include SOM, HOK, SHoP Architects, SENER, WORKac, Cetra Ruddy, Watchorn Architecture, S9 Architecture, and Kellogg Architects, while participants are drawn from at least Spain, France, Peru, Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and China. The legal entity has a registered office in Madrid (Calle Ferraz 55) and operates a second office at Calle Valverde 2 under the Telefónica Open Future program.

Name

Architect-US

Legal name

International Career Experience S.L.

Website

https://architect-us.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Madrid-based career services firm (International Career Experience S.L.) that sponsors J1 visas for international architects and engineers pursuing U.S. internships or training, placing candidates at firms including SOM and HOK via two service tiers starting at $850.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Visa Sponsorship Services

NAICS

Architectural Services (54131)

SIC

Services-Engineering, Accounting, Research, Management (8700)

akta.pro primary industry

Architectural Design Services (BPAHAKAA)

Keywords

• J1 visa sponsorship
• Architecture internship placement
• Engineering trainee programs
• International visa services
• Career placement USA

Headquarters

HQ city

Madrid

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. J1 Visa Sponsorship Services: Fees charged to participants for J1 visa sponsorship, document processing, health insurance coordination, and official paperwork assistance. Services offered either for those with existing job offers (J1 VISA program) or those seeking both placement and sponsorship (JOB + J1 VISA program).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Architect-US provides J1 visa sponsorship and internship/training placement services for international architects and engineers seeking professional experience in the United States. Operating as a Designated Sponsor under the U.S. Government Exchange Visitor Program, the company handles all visa paperwork, health insurance coordination, and DS-2019 issuance on behalf of participants. It serves both individual candidates seeking paid internships and U.S. architecture/engineering firms seeking international talent at no cost to the firm.

Product overview

Architect-US operates as a career training and visa sponsorship platform specializing in facilitating J1 visa arrangements for international architects and engineers seeking professional experience in the United States. The company offers three interconnected services: the J1 Visa Sponsorship program for candidates who already have U.S. job offers, the JOB + J1 Visa Program that combines job placement with visa sponsorship, and Host Company Services that help U.S. firms sponsor international talent. The platform also maintains a blog with participant testimonials, career tips, and lifestyle content. All services are processed within a 30-day timeline with pricing starting at $850.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• J1 Visa Program: Visa sponsorship service for individuals who already have an offer from an American company
• Job + J1 Visa Program

Products and services

• J1 Visa Sponsorship J1 visa sponsorship service for international architects and engineers who already have an internship or training offer from a U.S. company. The service handles all visa paperwork, health insurance coordination, and DS-2019 issuance as part of the U.S. Government Exchange J1 Visitor Program. Pricing starts at $850 with 30-day processing.
• Job + J1 Visa Program Combined job placement and J1 visa sponsorship service for international architects seeking internships or training positions in the U.S. The program matches candidates with U.S. host companies based on academic background, work experience, and graphic portfolio, then handles all visa sponsorship paperwork. Restricted to architects only.
• Host Company Services J1 visa sponsorship services for U.S. architecture and engineering firms to facilitate international hires. Includes visa sponsorship, health insurance coordination, and official paperwork handling, plus candidate matching based on academic background, work experience, and graphic portfolio. Provided at no cost to the host firm.

Quantifiable outcome

• 30-day J1 visa processing time
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers13 records

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Telefónica Open FuturecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTelefónica Open Future is a global open innovation program that connects startups with corporations. Architect-US operates under this program from their Madrid office location (Calle Valverde 2, 8FL. 28013, Madrid), indicating a strategic partnership providing access to corporate resources, mentorship, and potential client network within the Telefónica ecosystem.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Alliance Abroad Group: J1 visa sponsor operating Work & Travel, Intern, and Trainee programs with strong university recruitment channels. Direct competitor for international candidates seeking U.S.-based paid internships and cultural exchange opportunities.
• InterExchange: U.S.-based non-profit that sponsors J1 visa programs (Au Pair, Work & Travel, Intern, Trainee) and Career Training USA. Closest direct competitor to Architect-US in J1 visa sponsorship for international professionals, though broader in scope beyond architecture/engineering.
• Greenheart Exchange: Designated J1 visa sponsor for multiple exchange categories including intern and trainee programs. Comparable to Architect-US as a J1 sponsor serving young international professionals seeking U.S. work-based learning experiences.
• Cultural Vistas: Non-profit administering J1 visa internship and trainee programs for international students and professionals across multiple industries. Direct peer to Architect-US in J1 sponsorship, with overlap in the architecture/engineering segment served through Career Training USA.
• Intrax Global Engagement (now part of CIEE): Previously an independent J1 visa sponsor (Intern, Trainee, Au Pair, Work & Travel) acquired by CIEE. Provides comparable J1 sponsorship services to Architect-US for international interns and trainees across diverse professional fields.

Broad incumbents

• World Learning (The Experiment in International Living): Established non-profit operating J1 high school exchange programs and other international exchanges. Comparable in J1 visa sponsorship infrastructure though focused on younger participants rather than architecture/engineering professionals.
• CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange): Large, well-established non-profit operating J1 visa Work & Travel, Intern, and Trainee programs with global university partnerships. Competes with Architect-US on the candidate side for international internship placements but serves a much broader range of professions.

Regional players

• IES Abroad: U.S.-based provider of study and internship abroad programs with J1 sponsorship. Comparable in placing international candidates into U.S. professional settings, primarily through university partnerships, though not specifically focused on architecture.

Emerging players

• API (Academic Programs International): Provider of study and internship abroad programs with J1 visa sponsorship components. Overlaps with Architect-US in placing international candidates into U.S.-based professional internships, particularly for university-affiliated participants.

Others

• The American Institute of Architects (AIA): U.S. professional association for licensed architects. Not a direct visa sponsor but a natural ecosystem partner and channel for Architect-US given shared architecture-industry audience, professional development programs, and member firm relationships.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC1dPN0GqM3QbWVhJQCERhFg
• Facebookfacebook.com/ArchitectUSexperience
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/architect-us
• Instagraminstagram.com/architect_us
• Xx.com/architect_us

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Architect-US