In this regard, we have very good news. You can indeed get a U.S. visa specifically for an internship. The J-1 Visa category is designated for interns or trainees. Applicants who are current students or recent graduates from foreign colleges and universities are eligible for this visa, provided they meet all the relevant criteria and conditions.
The J-1 Visa allows individuals to engage in internships or temporary employment in order to develop their skills and experience American culture at the same time. Internships under the J-1 Visa typically last between 1 and 18 months, although some programs might offer longer stays.
If you are interested, you will have to go through a multi-step process that involves first finding a sponsor, then submitting the necessary paperwork, and finally attending an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
What are the requirements for a J-1 visa for an internship?
To obtain a J-1 visa for an internship in the United States, there are several requirements that have to be met. The list includes educational background, English language proficiency, host company requirements, program duration, document submission, interview, additional documentation, and support from a J-1 visa sponsor. Continue reading for more information.
Educational background
You must have a current enrollment in a university or have graduated within 12 months of the program start date if you want to become an intern. To become a trainee, you must have a degree or equivalent work experience.
Show proof of your English language proficiency
You should also be able to demonstrate English language proficiency through tests such as TOEFL or IELTS, or via one or more telephone interviews.
Host company requirements
Your host company also has to meet various requirements, such as having a valid Worker’s Compensation Insurance Policy, following specific ratios regarding employee numbers and annual revenues, having a primary office and website language of English, and having an on-site direct supervisor.
Program duration requirements
The program duration must be at least four weeks for interns, with a maximum duration of 12 months. For trainees, the maximum duration is 18 months.
Submit the appropriate documents
You also have to submit several documents, including the DS-2019 form issued by a J-1 visa sponsor, a Training/Internship Placement Plan (DS-7002), and a DS-160 form.
Attend an interview
Next, you will have to attend an interview at a U.S. embassy or consulate where you should be able to answer various questions regarding your planned internship in the United States.
Provide any additional documentation that might be requested
The next step is to provide additional documentation, such as financial documents showing your ability to cover travel expenses and transcripts proving your educational background.
Support from a J-1 visa sponsor
The final step for a prospective US intern is to provide proof of support from a J-1 visa sponsor approved by the U.S. Department of State, which verifies that the program meets U.S. guidelines.
At this stage, it is also important to note that additional requirements may exist – depending on the specific circumstances of your individual case. It is, therefore, highly recommended that you consult with a J-1 visa sponsor for additional details.
How long can I stay in the US with a J-1 visa for an internship?
An intern is typically eligible for up to 12 months of J-1 status to work with a U.S. employer while he or she is busy with a degree program in their home country, or within a year of graduation.
The specific duration of stay is, however, determined by the dates indicated on the Certificate of Eligibility (Form DS-2019) and the program type. The J-1 Visa for interns allows for a stay of anywhere between 1 and 18 months in the US, with the actual duration being specified based on the program and the individual’s circumstances.
Apart from that, interns are typically allowed to travel to the U.S. up to 30 days before the start of their internship – and they can stay for another 30 days after its completion as part of a grace period.
Can I switch to a different employer while in the US on a J-1 visa for an internship?
The J-1 visa for an internship in the United States typically allows participants to work only for the specific employer and in the specific role approved in their program. Working for a different employer while on a J-1 visa for an internship is, therefore, generally not permitted, because the visa is tied to a particular training or internship program with a specific employer.
The J-1 visa is designed for cultural exchange and skill development within the context of the approved program, and participants are expected to adhere to the terms and conditions of their J-1 status, including the approved training or internship placement plan.
Engaging in work for a different employer outside of the approved program will most likely be regarded as a violation of the visa regulations, which could lead to serious consequences, including expulsion from the United States.
It is, therefore, very important for J-1 visa holders to comply with the specific terms of their approved program and to refrain from seeking or engaging in work with another employer during their time in the United States.
What will happen to me if I overstay my J-1 visa for an internship?
Overstaying a J-1 visa for an internship can have serious consequences. If you overstay your J-1 visa, you will be considered out of status, which can lead to inadmissibility and being banned from re-entering the United States. The length of this ban depends on the duration of the overstay.
If you, for example, stay on in the U.S. for between 180 days and a year after your allowed stay has expired, you will not be allowed to re-enter that country for three years from your date of departure.
Even worse, if you remain in the U.S. after your authorized stay has expired for a year or longer, you will not be allowed to re-enter the country for 10 years after you have left.
Additionally, overstaying your J-1 visa can make it difficult to obtain other visas in the future, and it can also affect your ability to change your status or extend your stay in the U.S.
We can’t say this enough: It is very important to comply with the terms and conditions of your J-1 visa and to leave the U.S. before your authorized stay expires to avoid any of the above consequences.
What are the most common types of internships available in the US?
There are many different types of internships available in the United States, depending on the industry, your field of study, and your career goals. Some of the most common types of internships include:
Business internships: These internships focus on the operations side of things, such as supply chain, logistics, or administration.
Engineering internships: These concentrate on civil engineering, industrial engineering, and other engineering fields.
IT internships: This type of internship focuses on web development, cybersecurity, mobile app development, and other technology-related fields.
Marketing internships: Marketing internships involve fields such as digital marketing, advertising, and other marketing-related areas.
Medical internships: These internships typically involve areas such as psychiatry, clinical research, and other medical-related fields.
Nonprofit internships: These internships focus on NGO work, human rights, and other nonprofit-related fields.
Political internships: Political internships are focused on legislative aide work, White House internships, and other political-related fields.
Fashion internships: These types of internships typically involve fields such as photoshoots, production management, and other fashion-related fields.
Design internships: Design-related internships normally focus on areas such as interior design, architecture, graphic design, and other design-related fields.
The above are only a few examples of the many types of internships available in the United States. It is very important for every intern to consider his or her individual interests, goals, and schedule before choosing which type of internship to pursue.
Important: Apart from that, it is also important to be aware of the fact that internships can be paid or unpaid, and they can be full-time or part-time, depending on the specific program and employer.
I have never been overseas. Can I first visit the US on a visa or ESTA before I decide whether or not to enrol as an intern there?
Yes, you can visit the United States on a tourist visa or an ESTA before deciding whether or not to enrol as an intern there. However, once you have decided to enrol as an intern, you will need to apply for a J-1 visa because the J-1 visa is specifically designed for cultural exchange and skill development within the context of the approved program. In contrast, a tourist visa or ESTA only allows for tourist stays or visits for specific activities, but not for internships.
To find out whether you need a tourist visa or an ESTA (which is much quicker and easier to apply for) to first explore the US before making a final decision, we recommend that you visit the ESTA-America website. They have comprehensive information about the ESTA program, its benefits, and its requirements.