J-1 Visa : Intern

Under the J-1 visa intern category, international candidates who are currently enrolled students or recent graduates are permitted to enter the United States for a maximum period of 12 months. During his/her time in the United States, the intern will participate in a structured internship program that directly correlates with his/her studies abroad. Through this training program, the intern will be exposed to American methodologies, expertise and techniques. The visa is issued by the U.S. State Department with the understanding that the intern will return home upon completion of the training program and utilize the newly acquired skills in further studies or a career in his/her home country. In addition, the intern is expected to share information he/she has learned about U.S. culture and business with family, friends and colleagues.

An intern is an international candidate who:

• is currently enrolled as a full-time student in a foreign, post-secondary academic institution outside of the United States

OR

• has graduated from such an institution no more than 12 months prior to the start date of the exchange program.

AIPT will sponsor programs in a variety of fields, including marketing, business, engineering, etc. However, the U.S. State Department J-1 visa regulations do exclude some types of training programs including: unskilled positions, flight training, child or elder care, or patient contact. According to the U.S. State Department, patients do include animals and therefore veterinary programs are not acceptable. Furthermore, training programs cannot include more than 20% clerical or administrative work.

The maximum length for a J-1 visa intern program is 12 months regardless of the type of program.

• Dun & Bradstreet Number: Host employer must provide a valid DUNS number.
• Employer Identification Number (EIN): Host employer must provide a valid EIN.
• Worker's Compensation Policy: Host employer must provide details on a valid worker's compensation policy at time of application submittal. The policy must remain valid throughout the duration of the program, either due to the length of the policy or through a renewal.
• DS7002 (Training/Internship Placement Plan): The DS7002 form is required by the U.S. State Department and outlines the objectives of the training program and also explains the skills or experience the exchange visitor will acquire during the program. The DS7002 must be signed by the exchange visitor, the supervisor at the training site and the visa sponsor (AIPT). The signatures do not have to be originals; however, all three signatures must be on the same form.
• Site Visit: Per the U.S. Department of State J-1 visa regulations, AIPT will require a site visit to be conducted at a host employer if ALL of the following are true:
  • The host employer has not hosted a successful program* within the three years prior to submitting the program application AND
  • The host employer has fewer than 25 employees at the program site AND
  • The host employer has an annual revenue of less than $3 million

*The U.S. Department of State defines a successful training program as one in which the participant has submitted required evaluations to sponsoring organization. Programs of 6 months or less only require a final evaluation and programs longer than 6 months require a mid-term and a final.