MESA Program

Before you submit your application, please carefully review the entire application process, outlined below.

Step 1: Candidate submits online application

Once you read and understand the application process, you may proceed to our online application using the link at the bottom of this page. **Important** Read the remaining steps FIRST!

Step 2: Candidate provides photo

MESA must receive a photo to activate your online application and enable U.S. hosts to review your qualifications.

Please give your home country MESA representative a friendly-looking photo of yourself (.jpg format via email). Remember: this is the only photo a prospective U.S. trainer sees to help decide which candidate to host. They want to host candidates who look friendly and appear comfortable with farm life!

Step 3: MESA approves your application

Once MESA adds your photo and verifies that your application is complete, your online application will be activated for all prospective U.S. hosts to review. Your application must be accurate and provide detailed, informative answers. Remember that you are competing against many others for a great U.S. placement! Poorly answered questions on the application will hurt your chances to participate in MESA.

Step 4: U.S. Host Matching/Placement Process begins

The waiting begins...the host matching process can take up to three months, depending on the desirability of your application, and availability of appropriate U.S. hosts.

If a host chooses your application, MESA will forward the host placement information to your home country representative to share with you. You may accept or reject any hosting offer.

Step 5: Additional documents required for your J-1 visa application

Before MESA can issue your J-1 visa application, you or your home country representative must also mail or fax MESA the following documents:

Medical Report (PDF file) Medical Reports are required for all Core Training Program (CTP) applicants. *Attention NLP and PNP applicants: MESA requires a medical report only if you have requested and received confirmation from MESA to enroll in our group insurance policy.
Steward Agreement (PDF file) This is for Core Training Program (CTP) applicants only. NLP and PNP applicants will receive a different agreement form from MESA.
Form DS-7002 (a U.S. government form to be supplied by MESA after your training placement is confirmed. This form must be signed by you, the U.S. host and MESA's director before MESA can issue your visa application. You must present this form to the U.S. Consular officer at your visa interview)

Step 6: Applying for the J-1 visa

Once your U.S. host placement is confirmed, you will receive additional instructions about how to apply for your J-1 visa. Do NOT attempt to schedule your U.S. Embassy interview before you have received form DS-7002 and J-1 visa application (form DS-2019) from MESA!

Step 7: Before coming to the U.S.

Please download and carefully review the following important document(s), and keep them with your MESA Program materials. If you cannot download a document, notify your home country representative or MESA. It is your responsibility to read these documents and to be fully informed about MESA's Program and J-1 visa requirements before entering the U.S.:

Pre-Arrival Instructions (PDF file)
Certificate of Medical Insurance (PDF file)

Now that you've carefully reviewed and downloaded all the information above, are you ready to complete and submit your online application? If yes, click here!