Worldwide Farmers Exchange charges no application, membership or other fee to hosts or applicants, except those listed here. WFE charges the following program fees:
General Agriculture Program
Worldwide Farmers Exchange charges a program fee of $600 per month for each Trainee/Intern participant. There is no fee charged by WFE to the Trainee/Intern before their arrival in the U.S. Participants are paid either directly through the host’s payroll or by WFE, and receive stipends of no less than $1400 per month, based on a 45-hour week. Fees are charged in addition to the stipend, and are not deducted from this $1400 amount. Housing and utilities are provided or arranged by the host, usually without cost. In some cases, a small fee is charged for utilities or transportation services, to be disclosed and agreed to by the participant, prior to participation in the Program. Any fees charged by the host shall not reduce the stipend to an amount of less than $1400 per month. Stipend amounts and other details are shown on the Training/Internship Placement Plan (DS-7002). Hosts may choose either the Stipend Method or the Payroll Method. General Agriculture Program participants receiving stipends from WFE have their program fee included in the invoice to the host, who pays the fee to WFE on behalf of the participant. General Agriculture Program participants placed on the host’s payroll must authorize the host to make a payroll deduction for the fee or will be sent an invoice monthly by email.
For more information about fees and stipends for the General Agriculture Program, please see the WFE GAP Host Fees and Stipend Information page.
Wine Program (Viticulture & Enology Program)
$2700 (for up to four months) paid in two installments: $1700 upon confirmation of placement, $1000 upon visa issuance. If visa is denied, $1000 of initial $1700 fee will be reimbursed.
Participant Fees
The Program Fee covers the following:
✔️Program sponsorship and J-1 visa application document processing by WFE
✔️Host screening and site visits performed by WFE
✔️24/7 support from our staff for all urgent matters
✔️Medical insurance coverage while the participant is in the U.S., from arrival to departure
✔️Tax return processing service through Sprintax (if applicable)
Because of a private tax ruling, participants receiving stipends from WFE are not subject to income tax and do not need to file tax returns.
Fees updated March 1, 2023.