J-1 Interns
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The primary objectives of the J‑1 student intern program are to enhance exchange visitors’ skills and expertise in their academic or occupational fields through structured, guided training and internships, and to increase their understanding of U.S. techniques, methodologies, and technology.
Participation as a J‑1 student intern requires that the individual be currently enrolled in and pursuing a degree at a postsecondary institution outside the United States. The U.S. internship must fulfill an educational objective of the student’s degree program at their home institution. A J‑1 student intern may participate in an internship for up to 12 months per foreign degree.
Internships may only be 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
- Management, Business, Commerce, and Finance
- Public Administration and Law
- Sciences, Engineering, Architecture, Mathematics, and Industrial Occupations
- Faculty Sponsors must ensure that interns have verifiable English language proficiency sufficient for day‑to‑day functioning in their training environment. English proficiency must be verified through one of the following methods: a recognized English language test; signed documentation from an academic institution or English language school; or a documented interview conducted by the sponsor in person or by videoconference (or by telephone if videoconferencing is not feasible).
- Faculty Sponsors of internship programs must verify that interns are foreign nationals who are either currently enrolled full‑time in, and pursuing studies related to, their advanced career field at an accredited degree‑ or certificate‑granting postsecondary institution outside the United States, or who graduated from such an institution no more than 12 months prior to the exchange visitor program start date.
- Ensure that interns are appropriately selected, placed, oriented, supervised, and evaluated.
- Be available to interns and, as appropriate, host organizations to provide guidance, support, and information.
- Ensure that internship programs provide an appropriate balance between learning objectives and interns’ contributions to the host organization.
- Ensure that internship programs are full‑time, defined as a minimum of 32 hours per week
Ensure the quality of training and internship programs, sponsors must establish procedures to evaluate all interns. All required evaluations must be completed before the conclusion of the internship and must be signed by both the intern and the immediate supervisor.
- For programs longer than six months, at minimum, a midpoint and final evaluation are required.
- For programs six months or less, at minimum, a final evaluation is required.
Faculty Sponsors must retain trainee and intern evaluations, in electronic or hard‑copy form, for at least three years following the completion of each training or internship program. Trainee and Intern evaluations must be forwarded to the International Student and Scholar Services.
Procedures to apply for the J-1 Student Intern Category
1
Complete the J-1 Student Intern Application
The sponsoring department and the student intern completes the J-1 Student Intern Application Packet and the Training/Internship Placement Plan (T/IPP), Form DS-7002.
2
Submit a copy of the passport picture page
3
Submit an official financial affidavit
Submit an affidavit of financial support demonstrating sufficient funds to cover the cost of participation (if not funded by UofL).
4
Receive immigration documents from ISSS
If the application is approved, International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) will create the Form DS‑2019 and Form DS‑7002 and email scanned copies to the email address provided on the application.
5
Sign for certifications
Upon receipt of the Forms DS‑2019 and DS‑7002, the student intern must review and sign the documents in the designated certification sections. After signing, the student must pay the I‑901 SEVIS fee, apply for a J‑1 visa (if outside the U.S.), and follow ISSS instructions for arrival and check‑in.