How J-1 Visa Students Strengthen Hospitality Operations
Natalia Holshouser and Lance Baptiste
1/15/2026
Since its creation in 1961, the J-1 visa program has served as a global exchange initiative connecting international students with real-world work experience in the US hospitality industry. Originally established to promote cross-cultural understanding and educational growth, the program has become a powerful workforce solution for vacation rental companies, hotels, resorts, and other businesses across the country.
In today’s tight labor market, especially during peak travel seasons, J-1 participants help fill essential roles while adding diversity, fresh energy, and global perspectives to our teams.
How It Works
Through partnerships with designated sponsor agencies, hospitality businesses can recruit international students for seasonal roles in housekeeping, guest services, culinary, and more. Students list their preferred departments, and companies do their best to match them based on availability and need. Many students return year after year, bringing familiarity and reliability to seasonal teams.
Hospitality in Action: Sunriver Resort
A great example is Sunriver Resort in Oregon. Each summer, they welcome 110 international students into departments such as housekeeping, aquatics, culinary, and public spaces. Students are provided with housing and bicycles and are fully onboarded as part of the team.
This year, Sunriver has strategically increased student staffing in housekeeping to support its growing operations. Of the 110 students, 70 will work in housekeeping alone, a shift that reflects the resort’s need to maintain quality and efficiency across 239 hotel rooms and 381 vacation rental homes spread across 3,300 acres. By placing more students in this critical department, Sunriver ensures smooth turnover days, consistent service standards, and strong operational coverage during their busiest months.
Why It Matters
For hospitality professionals, the J-1 program is more than a seasonal fix—it’s a smart, future-focused strategy. It brings in motivated talent when it's most needed, strengthens operational reliability, and reinforces a culture of inclusivity and global connection that today’s guests and teams value.
Learn More
Thinking about it for your business? Start here:
Top sponsor agencies include:
Natalia Holshouser and Lance Baptiste
Natalia Holshouser is the owner and chief operating officer of Coastal Carolina Vacation and Sales.
Lance Baptiste is the director of vacation rentals at Sunriver Resort.