Navigating the J-1 Visa for an Internship in the USA

As a foreign student or recent graduate, finding the right host company is not the only hurdle you face when looking for an internship in the United States. After sending off the resumes, conducting interviews, and waiting anxiously to hear back from your dream company, you must still apply for the correct visa in order to travel to the U.S.

If you have searched for your host company personally and without a cultural exchange organization or an agency, it’s very important for you to understand the J-1 visa rules beforehand. Only then can you see if the internship with this company is actually possible under the J-1 visa rules. Many American companies may not have experience in hosting J-1 interns. From the start It is important to understand the concept and rules of the J-1 visa along with the role of the J-1 visa sponsor.

The J-visa category is an exchange visitor nonimmigrant visa issued to students, recent graduates, and professionals to participate in work-and-study based exchange visitor programs.

The J-1 intern visa is intended for students and recent graduates who wish to gain a deeper understanding of U.S. business and culture, enhance their practical and theoretical knowledge, and gain professional insight in their chosen occupational field that they may not have access to in their home countries.

Unfortunately, you can’t simply walk into a U.S. Embassy or Consulate and ask for a J-1 visa. J-1 visas require an official desJ-1 designated J-1 sponsor organization to ensure that you meet the requirements for the visa, and to monitor your progress and check-in with you during your internship in the U.S., among other aspects.

If you participate in our placement program you have less to worry about the visa process that comes after the placement. As a designated J-1 Visa Sponsor we will guide you through all of the necessary steps required to get your visa approved. We will also check before we start the placement if you and the future host company fulfill all rules or if you need a different type of visa.

Our J-1 visa application process ensures that you have all of the application materials needed to demonstrate your visa eligibility.

To qualify for a J-1 visa for an internship in the United States you must be a current university or post-secondary school student (or have graduated in the past twelve months) and have secured an internship at a U.S. host company in a field that is directly related to your field of study.

This means that if you are studying Biochemistry, for example, the chance of you being approved for an internship visa in Marketing is slim to none. So with a J-1 Visa you can only be interning directly in your field of study. You can not use it for reorientation in new fields. In this case, you can participate in our Volunteer Program.

We will ensure that you and your host company matches the qualifications. However, it is important that you are realistic about the internships you qualify for. The J-1 intern visa is granted for a period of up to 12 months (or up to 18 months for recent graduates or professionals with 5 years of work experience), at which time you will be expected to return home empowered with new knowledge and skills to begin your career! Obtaining a J-1 visa doesn’t have to be a challenge.

Basic knowledge is needed from the time you start reaching out to American host companies and applying for an internship. The J-1 Visa for an internship has some limitations and also some requirements you must know. Otherwise, you may risk a good internship offer after you find that you are not qualified for a J-1 visa. At the beginning of each placement, we will make sure that you will not face such a situation. This is one of many benefits of working with us on your placement.