
How to get your Visa J1?
- Check your eligibility. To get started, go online on the site -/, register and check if you are eligible. To do so, you will have to go through the ...
- Fill out your DS-2019.
- Submit your application to the Embassy.
- Meeting at the interview.
Can a J-1 intern visa be issued in the US?
CIPUSA has the ability to issue the required documents needed to obtain a J-1 intern visa and to facilitate internship programs for international students or recent graduates in the United States. What is a J-1 intern visa?
What do I need to apply for a J1 visa?
When applying for a J1 visa, you will need to submit the following documents to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate: DS-2019 Form, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status. DS-7002 Form, A Training/Internship Placement Plan (for exchange visitor trainees or intern visa applicants)
Where can I find a sponsor for a J1 visa?
When applying for a J1 visa, you will need to find a designated sponsor to accept you into their program. Regardless of their physical location, many of these sponsoring organizations can place participants throughout the United States. The United Stated Department of State has the official list of designated sponsor organizations here.
How much does it cost to work on a J1 visa?
The J1 visa is divided into 4 different visas depending on the type of work you could find: the J1 Work and Travel for students without a diploma or professional experience to do an internship between June and September for a fee not exceeding $ 1200 / month;

How long does it take to get a J-1 intern visa?
On average, it takes six to eight weeks to apply for and be approved for a J-1 Visa.
How do you get a visa for an internship in the US?
Criteria for the J-1 Visa Applicants must be full time students or have graduated recently (you must commence internship no later than 12 months after graduation). The applicant must be minimum 18 years old. The applicant must have the sufficient English skills to work in a company in the US.
How do I qualify for a J-1 visa?
In order to qualify for a J-1 exchange visitor visa, you need to be coming to the U.S. as a student, scholar, trainee, intern, au pair, teacher, professor, research assistant, medical graduate, or international visitor.
Can I do an internship on a J-1 visa?
The J1 visa is an authorization to enter the United States specifically for students and young professionals (up to 38 years) allowing them to stay for a period of 18 months maximum. They can do an internship (paid or unpaid, contract or not) or a summer job.
Can J-1 intern be paid?
Must a J-1 intern or trainee be paid? No, a J-1 Intern or Trainee does not generally have to be paid (as long as the company is still in compliance with labor laws), but the J-1 must show that s/he has a stipend or sufficient funds to support himself or herself during the stay in the United States.
How much is the J-1 visa?
You will pay this $160 J-1 visa fee as one of the last J-1 visa application requirements. Before you pay the fee, you will need to: Complete an online DS-2019 application. Submit the required J-1 visa documents.
Can I get a J-1 visa without a sponsor?
Do I need a sponsor? Yes. The State Department designates U.S. government, academic and private sector entities to conduct educational and cultural exchange programs. To participate in the Exchange Visitor Program, foreign nationals must be sponsored by one of the State Department-designated sponsors.
How long is J-1 visa valid?
Length of Time Business and Industrial Trainees Can Stay in the U.S. on a J-1 Visa. Business and industrial trainees may be issued J-1 visas for a maximum of 18 months.
How long does J-1 visa take after interview?
Please see “Administrative Processing” for further information. If you were advised at the interview that a waiver of ineligibility is required before the visa can be issued, you can expect your application to take up to 8 months to process from the date of the interview.
How do I get a J-1 sponsor?
So you should search for a sponsor only once you have scheduled your first job interview with a company that may hire you, not before. If you don't have any interviews scheduled with a company yet, check the J-1 open jobs listing, apply, and land an interview before going any further with your sponsorship search.
Can foreigners do internship in USA?
Can F-1 students do internships? Yes! With an F-1 student visa, the primary purpose of your travel to the US is to complete a degree program at an accredited university or college. This visa allows you to apply for an internship in the USA for international students, with assistance from your university.
Can you intern in the US without a visa?
A J-1 Exchange Visitor visa is required if you are planning an internship or traineeship in the USA. It entitles its holder to participate in exchange programs in the USA. These include internships, trainee positions and high school stays.
Do you need a visa for an unpaid internship in the US?
Even if your internship is unpaid and/or short term, such as under 90 days, you will always need to apply for a J-1 Visa with a designated U.S. sponsor organization. You may be denied entry at the border if you attempt to enter the U.S. on ESTA in order to do an internship.
What is a J-1 visa internship?
With the J-1 visa, students and graduates can complete a cultural exchange program in the USA for up to 12 months by participating in an internship. However, before the internship can begin in the U.S., each global participant must select a sponsor and join a program.
Step 1. Find A J Sponsor
When applying for a J1 visa, you will need to find a designated sponsor to accept you into their program. Regardless of their physical location, ma...
Step 2. Apply For The DS-2019
Once you have applied and been approved by a designated sponsor organization, the next step is to submit the DS-2019 Form, also known as the “Certi...
Step 3. Pay Your Fees
You will be required to pay a SEVIS I-901 fee to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as part of your J-1 visa application - or this fee may a...
Step 4. Interview With A U.S. Embassy Or Consulate
In order to have your J-1 visa application accepted, you will need to have final approval by a consular officer at a US embassy or consulate. Depen...
What is the J1 visa?
The J1 visa is an authorization to enter the United States specifically for students and young professionals (up to 38 years) allowing them to stay for a period of 18 months maximum. They can do an internship (paid or unpaid, contract or not) or a summer job. This visa allows:
How to get a J1 visa?
Unlike the ESTA authorization , and the image of many visas, getting the J1 visa can be long and tedious …
How to get your Visa J1?
If you want to obtain your J-1 Visa, you will need to go through a U. S. government accredited institution (called Sponsor). The steps to obtain this type of document are not only tedious, but also complicated.
How long does it take to get a DS 2019?
You will receive your DS-2019 within two weeks. When you receive it, you will need to contact the U. S. Embassy to set up your file, drop it off there, but also to make an appointment for your interview.
Is a visa J1 required?
Planning internships in the United States? Whether you are a student or a young winner, with or without professional experience, VISA J1 is mandatory! If not, here is the list of other VISAS available.
How to apply for a J1 visa?
When applying for a J1 visa, you will need to submit the following documents to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate: 1 DS-2019 Form, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status 2 DS-7002 Form, A Training/Internship Placement Plan (for exchange visitor trainees or intern visa applicants) 3 Form DS-160, Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application 4 A passport valid for travel to the U.S with validity six months after the intended period of stay in the US 5 One 2x2 photograph
How to get a J-1 visa?
In order to have your J-1 visa application accepted, you will need to have final approval by a consular officer at a US embassy or consulate. Depending on where you are located, waiting times to get an appointment can vary so it’s important to schedule early to ensure that you have sufficient time before your program begins.
How much is the nonimmigrant visa processing fee?
Another fee you will be required to pay is the Nonimmigrant Visa Application Processing Fee, which is $160 and can be paid by visiting the Department of State’s Fee for Visa Services. Those participants who are part of a program with the U.S. Government, Department of State, U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), or a U.S. Government funded educational and cultural exchange program are exempt from the Nonimmigrant Visa Application Processing Fee as part of their J-1 visa application.
What is a cultural exchange intern?
Cultrual exchange intern programs are designed to allow students of degree-seeking programs or recent graduates from foreign universities to come to the United States to gain exposure to U.S. culture and to gain professional experience their chosen field of study. Programs are also designed to enhance Americans' knowledge of foreign cultures and skills through an open interchange of ideas between participants and their American associates. These internships require a J-1 visa, which is a non-immigrant cultural exchange visa issued by the U.S. Department of State.
How to contact CIPUSA?
If you have questions about whether CIPUSA can sponsor a particular field, please call or email our headquarters: +1-440-247-1088 or [email protected]
Do you have to pay for a CIPUSA interview?
Yes. In addition to the CIPUSA Program Fees, the U.S. Embassy/Consulates charge an applicaiton fee to attend the visa interview. This fee varies depending on the country and special circumstances. Other fees might also apply. Always check with the U.S. embassy/consulate where your visa approval interview will be held to determine if additional monies are required.
Can interns stay in the US?
Non-immigrant status implies that the intern will not stay in the United States once the internship program is complete and intends to return to his or her country of citizenship. CIPUSA does not allow interns to use the Exchange Visitors Program for ordinary employment or work purposes.
How to advertise an internship?
By advertising an internship on major websites (think sites like Linkedin), more people will learn about your company. Tons of new grads are looking for entry-level positions, so posting about your internship should generate plenty of online traffic.
What percentage of clerical work do students have to do to be considered an intern?
Student interns must not participate in programs that will be more than 20% clerical work. Interns must receive tasks that contribute to program goals.
Why are virtual internships good?
A big perk of virtual internships is how they can widen your talent pool. When travel is not required, J-1 visas no longer pose a barrier and talented individuals who were previously ineligible may apply. Additionally, virtual internships are more flexible than in-person ones and can therefore attract talented students working around course schedules.
How many rotations are required for a hospitality internship?
Hospitality and Tourism internship programs must contain at least three rotations (of department or function).
How many years of experience do you need to be a sponsor?
Potential sponsors also must have over three years of experience working in the field of international exchange. If this is your company’s first time hosting interns, you’re not yet eligible to be a sponsor.
Can an employer sponsor an intern?
Whether or not employers choose to become a sponsor or work with a 3rd party organization, they will have to meet certain J-1 visa employer requirements to host an intern or trainee. We outline a few of these requirements in the table below.
Do trainees need to be able to work in a new position?
More experienced trainees should be able to settle into a new position effortlessly, with knowledge of how to navigate the office landscape, thoroughly complete assignments, and communicate with supervisors.
What employers can access J-1 trainees?
To access J-1 trainees or interns, an employer must either become a State Department-designated sponsor as some large employers like Disney, Exxon Mobil, Ingersoll-Rand and Microsoft have done, or work with a sponsoring organization like Cultural Vistas or CFGI.
What is the purpose of reviewing the employer's intern-to-full-time-staff ratio?
Reviewing the employer's intern-to-full-time-staff ratio to ensure there is sufficient staff to fulfill business needs and to train participants.
Is there a cap on the number of J-1 visas?
The flexibility of the J-1 compared with other employment visa categories also makes it an enticing option for employers. "There is no cap on the total number of J-1 visas administered each year, as there is for the H-1B and other popular visas," Faucette said. "It's also open to many different occupations and levels of talent, rather than specific specializations or education levels." The application process is also less intensive than for other popular employment visas and doesn't require completing and submitting a labor condition application or immigration petition. Spouses and dependents may join a J-1 visa holder and, in most cases, are also eligible to apply for work authorization after arrival.
Can J-1s work in clerical jobs?
In addition, work duties cannot entail more than 20 percent clerical work or come from staffing firms .
Do J-1s need a social security number?
Visa holders and their dependents must have health insurance prior to arrival and for the duration of their visit. If trainees or interns will be paid by a U.S. employer , they will likely need a Social Security number to pay federal, state and local income taxes. Visa holders are generally exempt from paying Medicare, Social Security or federal unemployment taxes, however, so employers are not required to pay any matching contributions.
What is an internship program?
Internship programs are designed to allow foreign college and university students or recent graduates to come to the United States to gain exposure to U.S. culture and to receive hands-on experience in U.S. business practices in their chosen occupational field.
What are the different types of internships?
Internships are offered in the following occupational categories: Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing; Arts and Culture; Construction and Building Trades; Education, Social Sciences, Library Science, Counseling and Social Services; Health Related Occupations; Hospitality and Tourism; Information Media and Communications; ...
When must participants be evaluated at midpoint?
Participants in programs that exceed six months must be evaluated at midpoint and at the conclusion of the program; and
Do internships need to be tailored?
Accordingly, all placements must be tailored to the skills and experience level of the individual intern;
Can interns work in an unskilled position?
Limitations/Exceptions for Intern work environment. Interns cannot work in unskilled or casual labor positions , in positions that require or involve childcare or elder care or in any kind of position that involves medical patient care or contact.
What is the purpose of J1?
The purpose of the J-1 Intern Visa is to bridge of the gap between academics and professional experiences. Therefore, a J-1 Intern may participate in multiple internship programs. To qualify for a repeat J1 Internship, the Intern must meet the following requirements:
What is the purpose of J-1 training?
While we know the purpose of the J-1 Intern and Trainee visa is to “ enhance the skills and expertise of exchange visitors in their academic or occupation fields through participation in structured and guided work-based training and internships to improve participants’ knowledge of American techniques, methodologies and technology.” (22 CFR 62.22); the general rule for repeat J-1 internships/trainings, the new training cannot duplicate previous training or experience. Second programs need to show advancement in training and cannot have same tasks or be in the same “position”. If the program is not different, at the same host site or contains similar tasks, it would not appear as bonafide training, but potential labor. When drafting a more rigorous training outline, remember to clearly define differences between prior training and the new training.
How long does it take to get an internship after graduating?
If already graduated, the new internship must be within 12 months of graduation
What is second program?
Second programs need to show advancement in training and cannot have same tasks or be in the same “position”. If the program is not different, at the same host site or contains similar tasks, it would not appear as bonafide training, but potential labor.
