The DS-7002 Training Plan is more than a compliance document. It is the foundation of a successful, transparent, and legally compliant Intern and Trainee experience. When completed thoughtfully and accurately, it ensures that participants, host organizations, and program sponsors are aligned on expectations from day one.
At Greenheart, the quality of a training plan directly impacts the quality of the participant experience. That is why attention to detail, especially the who, what, where, and when, is essential.
Why the DS-7002 Is So Important
The U.S. Department of State requires DS-7002 Training Plans to ensure that exchange visitors are participating in structured, educational, and appropriate training rather than filling labor gaps.
A strong training plan:
- Protects program compliance
- Sets clear expectations for hosts and participants
- Prevents misunderstandings and violations
- Ensures the training experience aligns with visa requirements
- Strengthens trust with sponsors, partners, and regulatory bodies
When these plans are vague or inaccurate, they create risk for both the participant experience and program integrity.
The four Essentials: Who, What, Where, and When
A high-quality DS-7002 depends on clarity in four core areas:
1. WHO is involved?
Every training plan must clearly define:
- Who is providing the training, such as supervisors, mentors, or departments
- Who is receiving the training, including the participant’s role and responsibilities
- Who is responsible for oversight and evaluation
Why it matters: ambiguity around roles leads to inconsistent supervision and compliance gaps. The participant should always know exactly who is guiding their learning and who to go to for support.
2. WHAT is the training?
This is the heart of the plan. It should clearly outline:
- Specific skills, tasks, and learning objectives
- Progressive training stages rather than only job duties
- Measurable outcomes or competencies
Best practice: avoid generic descriptions like “office support” or “daily tasks.” Instead, describe what the participant will actually learn and develop over time.
Why it matters: the DS-7002 is a training document, not a job description. Clear learning objectives ensure the experience is educational, structured, and compliant.
3. WHERE does the training take place?
Every activity should clearly specify:
- Physical training location or locations
- Department or site of activity
- Any rotation between locations
Why it matters: Participants and sponsors must know where training is happening at all times. This is critical for accountability, safety, and program oversight.
4. WHEN does each stage happen?
A DS-7002 must show progression over time, including:
- Duration of each phase
- Timeline of learning objectives
- When skills are introduced and developed
Best practice: break training into clear phases with increasing complexity.
Why it matters: a structured timeline ensures the experience is progressive, educational, and aligned with visa expectations rather than static or repetitive.
Prohibited Training and Activities
In addition to clear structure and learning goals, DS-7002 Training Plans must ensure that all activities fall within approved training standards. Interns and Trainees are strictly prohibited from engaging in activities that do not meet program requirements or that shift the role into labor rather than structured training.
Prohibited activities include, but are not limited to:
- Manual labor and low-skilled operational work such as bussing, food running, cleaning, valet duties, stocking, packing, or fast casual and counter service roles
- Roles such as bartending (including barback), housekeeping, hotel cleaning, driving, cashiering, service attendant duties, guarding, stockroom or warehouse work, and clerical positions
- Casual, manual, or unskilled labor in any form
- Unauthorized employment, including any second job or work outside the DS-2019 authorized organization
- Any activity listed under 22 C.F.R. § 62 Appendix E
- Roles that primarily fill staffing or labor shortages within the host organization
- Positions that should normally be filled by a regular employee
- Programs or roles that do not meet Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) requirements
- Work structured around commission-based compensation
- Activities that could endanger the participant’s health, safety, or well-being
- Any role that could bring the Exchange Visitor Program into disrepute or notoriety
- Childcare, elder care, patient contact (including animal care), or clinical duties
- Roles involving more than 20 percent clerical or administrative work
- For Trainees, any position that duplicates prior professional experience
Why this matters: these restrictions ensure that the program remains educational in nature, protects participants from inappropriate or unsafe work conditions, and maintains compliance with federal regulations.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Even well-intentioned training plans can fall short when:
- Job duties are too broad or repetitive
- Training stages are not clearly differentiated
- Supervisors are not clearly identified
- Location details are missing or inconsistent
- Timelines are vague or unrealistic
- Prohibited activities are unintentionally included in training descriptions
These issues can create compliance risks and slow down approvals or reviews.
Why This Matters for Greenheart
Strong DS-7002 Training Plans:
- Protect our designation as a trusted sponsor
- Improve participant satisfaction and outcomes
- Reduce compliance risk and delays
- Strengthen relationships with host organizations
- Reinforce Greenheart’s reputation for quality and integrity
Every training plan is a reflection of our standards and of the experience we promise to participants.
Final Thought
The DS-7002 is not just paperwork. It is a blueprint for a meaningful cultural exchange experience.
When we get the who, what, where, and when right, and ensure all activities remain within approved training boundaries, we do not just meet compliance requirements. We create clearer expectations, stronger programs, and better outcomes for everyone involved.
Are you a U.S. business and interested in hosting international professionals to enrich your company with a global perspective? Visit HostGreenheartProfessionals.org to learn more.