SABIT Current South Asia Programs
Updated information about SABIT Program structure, policies, and COVID-19 practices as well as applications for upcoming SABIT programs.
Please note that all program information and rules should be read in full before beginning the application.
Description of the Program
Since 1990, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Special American Business Internship Training (SABIT) Program has successfully trained more than 7,000 executives and scientists from South Asia, Eurasia and other regions of the world. SABIT provides trainees (Participants) the opportunity to become familiar with a U.S. industry sector and its regulations, establish valuable business relationships, learn about and purchase innovative technologies, equipment, and services, and come to understand market-based business concepts.
Each industry-specific program trains up to 20 professionals for up to two weeks in the United States beginning with training which may include sessions on policy, legislation, standards, certification, business plan development, cross-cultural negotiations, and management for both associations and businesses. This is complemented by site visits and meetings with U.S. companies in the specific industry sector and supporting associations.
What the Program Provides
For those selected to participate in this program, the U.S. Government will pay for round-trip airfare from a designated site to the United States, lodging, a comprehensive training program, and emergency medical insurance. No per diem or stipend will be provided.
Each Participant must provide his or her own transportation to the designated departure site and possess a valid international passport on which to travel. SABIT will attempt to provide roundtrip tickets from each Participant’s preferred departure city in their home country. Each SABIT Participant will travel on a B-1/B-2 business visa, which prohibits the receipt of a salary or honorarium. Participants are responsible for the cost of the U.S. visa. SABIT will provide an invitation letter to support the Participant’s visa application. SABIT Participants may not seek permanent employment in the United States. The process of getting a U.S. visa in some countries is constrained by the global pandemic and other issues. SABIT will assist applicants to the extent it can. However, SABIT, and the U.S. Department of Commerce, do not have any control over the visa process, and we must adhere to all U.S. Department of State rules and regulations. Decisions regarding visa issuance are determined solely by the U.S. Department of State.
Description of the Applicant
The program will cover a variety of industry topics including, but not limited to, equipment, technology, and policy. The program is designed for directors, senior managers and executives who oversee specific industry sector activities for their organizations. Candidates who apply to participate in the training program should be in a position of significant responsibility and have at least 3-5 years of management experience.
The program will be conducted in English. Therefore, Participants must be fluent in English.
Applicants are screened and selected by the U.S. Department of Commerce based on their professional and educational achievements and experience in specific industrial sectors. After applications are reviewed, a number of Applicants will be invited to interview with SABIT staff. SABIT’s Washington, DC office will then make final determinations regarding which Applicants are selected for training. Those selected will be notified by a SABIT official from the United States or from a SABIT or U.S. Government representative in their home country or region.
If the program application is widely available, the scheduled SABIT programs are listed below with a link to each application. If you do not see a link, the application will be available by invitation only.
If selected for an interview, the Candidate will be asked for a copy of his or her passport bio page. There are no fees of any kind associated with completing a SABIT application. There is no cost for applying, processing the application, or being selected to participate in the program, other than the cost of the U.S. visa and resulting costs, transportation to the departure city, and meal and incidental expenses while on the program.
Upon completion of their training, Participants must return to their home countries. Participants may extend their stay in the United States after the training but must inform the SABIT Program before airline tickets are purchased. Tickets purchased by SABIT will be from the designated departure city to Washington, DC and must depart the United States from Washington, DC back to the original designated departure city. Please note overstaying your I-94 date may affect a person’s ability to obtain another U.S. visa. Get more information on visas.
Please be advised that the SABIT Program will conduct a due diligence review of both the Applicant and his/her company via several different means, which may include web searches, credit bureau reporting agency searches, through the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) at the U.S. Department of Treasury, and other sources. If there are any sanctions against the Applicant or the Applicant’s company or if there are any legal or ethical concerns found, he/she will not be considered for the program. If the Applicant has already been invited before the information was found, his/her invitation may be revoked, or he/she may be terminated from the program if he/she is already in the United States. This review is directed only at serious matters involving U.S. government sanctions, or serious legal or ethical issues, and has resulted in adverse action by the SABIT program only very rarely.
Any material misrepresentation on the part of the Applicant either orally or in writing will automatically be grounds for disqualification or expulsion from the program regardless of whether the Participant is already selected or in the United States.
SABIT Participants are not eligible to participate in a U.S-based SABIT program a second time.
In-person SABIT Programming will be organized and carried out with precautions in place for the health and safety of all attendees. All Participants must adhere to all directions on health and safety requirements provided by SABIT staff including but not limited to testing, masks, and necessary quarantine if such a circumstance arises.
