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Internships in the USA are now an integral part of many training and study programs. J-1 Visa allow you, among other things, a internship or training in the United States. Various exchange programs fall under the category of J-1 visas, the processing of which is very extensive compared to other visa categories.

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What are J-1 visas?

A J-1 Visa ("J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa") is required to participate in certain exchange programs. These include for example

  • Internships,
  • Trainee positions
  • High School Stays
  • Au Pair
  • Summer Work & Travel
  • Research Scholar

The US government initiated these programs to promote mutual understanding between the United States and other countries through these cultural and educational programs.

Tip: A degree or student status is not always mandatory.

Bild von J-1 Austauschschüler:innen
Personal advice on US visas Our experts will be happy to advise you on your request

Most important J-1 categories for companies

For companies and their employees, the two J-1 categories Intern (internship) and Trainee (training) are relevant. While the term "Intern" relates to a study-related internship abroad, the term "Trainee" refers to a job-related training.

Internships and training courses are not considered purely work experience, but rather serve to exchange social and cultural characteristics in the corporate context as well as to get to know US corporate processes.

Under no circumstances may interns or trainees on J-1 visas engage in ordinary employment, perform unskilled labor, or even replace the position of US employees on a part-time or full-time basis. Of course, the internship or training may still be compensated. Generally, "Intern" programs must be compensated for 6 months or more; "Trainee" programs must always be compensated.

Internship: J-1 Intern

The J-1 Intern category is for students who have completed at least their second semester of study. Graduates who begin the internship within 12 months of graduation also fall into the J-1 Intern category. The J-1 Intern visa can be applied for a maximum of 12 months. It is important that the internship must be related to the content of the studies.

Training: J-1 Trainee

The J-1 trainee category includes graduates or young professionals who have completed their studies and can demonstrate at least one year of work experience. Alternatively, five years of relevant work experience can be demonstrated without a degree, provided this fits the content of the training. The stay with a J-1 Trainee visa is limited to a maximum of 18 months. In the Trainee category, the future training must demonstrate a clear point of reference to previous training or work experience.

Overview of all J-1 categories

A total of 15 different J-1 categories are distinguished:
  • Au Pair
  • Camp Counselor
  • College and University Student
  • Government Visitor
  • Internal
  • International Visitor
  • Physician
  • Professor
  • Research Scholar
  • Secondary School Student
  • Short-Term Scholar
  • Specialist
  • Summer Work Travel
  • Teacher
  • Trainee
Bild von jungen Menschen vor USA-Flagge
Bild von medizinischem Personal in den USA
Bild von College Absolvent:innen
Bild von einer Praktikantin in den USA
Bild von jungen Menschen auf dem Campus in den USA

Requirements for J-1 Visa

Those applying for a J-1 visa must meet several requirements. The requirements differ depending on the J-1 category applied for:
Au Pairs

Age: 18-26 years

Educational Requirements: High school diploma, completed training or completed studies

Purpose: Child care in a US family

Age: from 18 years

Educational Requirements: Students, youth workers, teachers, good knowledge of English is required.

Purpose: Cooperation in a US vacation camp

Age: from 17 years

Educational Requirements: Students of a German university

Purpose: Study abroad in the USA

Age: -

Educational Requirements: Government guests who are influential figures in their field of expertise

Purpose: Strengthen professional and personal relationships with federal, state, and local U.S. entities

Age: from 18 years

Educational Requirements: Students from the 3rd semester up to a maximum of 12 months after graduation; one internship position related to the course of study.

Purpose: Internship

Age: -

Educational Requirements: Leaders selected by the U.S. Department of State.

Purpose: Key figures selected by the U.S. Department of State to teach Americans about foreign cultures

Age: -

Educational Requirements: Medical professionals with sufficient experience and training for the planned program (extensive prerequisites)

Purpose: Physicians participating in education or training at a medical institution in the U.S.

Age: -

Educational Requirements: Professors and research fellows

Purpose: Promote ideas and research projects and link U.S. research institutions with other countries.

Age: From the age of 15 to 18

Educational Requirements: Applicants must still be students at the time of departure and have a good command of English.

Purpose: Student exchange at a US-American high school

Age: -

Educational Requirements: Professor:ing, research fellows, and individuals with similar training/skills.

Purpose:z. B. in research institutions teach the special knowledge

Age: -

Educational Requirements: Experts who have special knowledge

Purpose: Knowledge exchange between foreign and U.S. experts

Age: from 18 years

Educational Requirements: Students of a recognized university

Purpose: Jobbing in the USA during the semester break

Age: -

Educational Requirements: Teachers:inside with aU.S. BachelorEquivalent degree and employment at a German school; 2 years of full-time work experience.

Purpose: Teachers:inside teach at an American elementary or high school

Age: from 18 years

Educational Requirements: Completed studies and at least 1 year of relevant work experience
or
At least 5 years of relevant work experience if no degree is available.

Purpose: Job related training

Requirements for interns / trainees

For companies and their employees, the two J-1 categories Intern and Trainee come into play. This is why the following section provides a more detailed description of the access requirements for the Internships and Traineeships in the United States.

Interns respectively trainees must:

  • have completed at least the second semester of study at a recognized university (intern) or
  • a completed course of study, whereby the degree must have been obtained no more than one year previously (intern) or
  • have a degree plus one year of professional experience (trainee) or
  • have five years of relevant professional experience (trainee)

NOTE: Degrees earned at US educational institutions are not recognized by US authorities; this requirement also applies to relevant work experience.

In addition, the future internship or training must have a clear connection to the previous university education or work experience. Applicants for J-1 visas must also have sufficient English language skills, which must be proven during the application process in the course of a language test or a telephone interview.

Requirements for host companies

The host company in the USA must also meet certain requirements and provide documentation. These include, among other things, the preparation of a detailed Training / Internship Placement Plans (DS-7002). The DS-7002 form is divided into different phases depending on the duration of the internship and must reflect the different activities and responsibilities of the interns / trainees. It is also important that the host company has a valid Workers' Compensation Insurance Policy and that the interns are covered by this insurance.

Additional admission requirements concerning the US location and applicants should always be obtained from the appropriate exchange organization (J-1 Visa Sponsor).

How much does a visa for the USA cost?

How high the costs for US visas are depends on which visa is applied for. Generally speaking, the more application steps are required and the more US authorities are involved, the more expensive the visa application will be. The application fees for US visas can therefore vary greatly.

Anyone applying for a visa for the USA at a US consulate or embassy must pay the following fees:

  • Consular application fee
    General application fee that must be paid by all applicants. The amount varies depending on the visa category.
  • Additional consular fees, if applicable
    There are additional fees that only apply to some visa categories or are only relevant for certain applicants.
  • Costs for passport delivery, if applicable
    The postal delivery of passports is subject to a fee, passport collection is free of charge.
Bild von einer USA Kreditkarte für Visa-Gebühren

Additional costs are incurred for application procedures via the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), such as applications for US work visas.

  • USCIS standard fee
    General application fee that must be paid by all applicants. The amount varies depending on the visa category.
  • Additional USCIS fees, if applicable
    Accelerated application processing, for example, is subject to a fee.

You can find more information about the different visa fees, other possible costs and the current payment methods on our fees page.

Go to the cost overview

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Validity period

J-1 visas can be applied for a period of up to 12 months (Intern) or 18 months (Trainee). However, the exact validity period of the visa ultimately depends on the duration of the program, which is noted on the DS-2019.

It is possible to stay in the USA for 30 days before the start of the internship or training and for 30 days after the end of the program (grace period).

It is also important that the internship / training must not be less than the duration of at least four weeks.
An extension of the internship or training is only possible if the total duration of 12 or 18 months is not exceeded. As long as applicants are enrolled at a university or are in training, the J-1 visa can be applied for as often as desired.

Important: Trainees must allow a period of two years to elapse between reapplications; this rule also applies to all applicants who have already obtained J-1 visas in the Intern category and wish to qualify for the J-1 Trainee visa at a later date.

How to apply for a J-1 visa

1. Check personal suitability in the respective category

For each of the above categories, there are different requirements that applicants must fulfill. The Internal and Trainee categories relevant for companies are described in para. J-1 Requirements for interns / trainees detailed, but among other things, the following things are necessary:

  • Create a detailed Training / Internship Placement Plan
  • Presence of a valid Workers' Compensation Insurance Policy
  • Completing the internship full time

Further specific requirements should be requested from the respective exchange.

2. Find J-1 visa sponsor

J-1 visas can only be applied for with a so-called J-1 visa sponsor; these exchange organizations represent the extended arm of the U.S. Department of State and are responsible for implementing the programs in accordance with US guidelines. The J-1 visa sponsor must first obtain the form DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status), which in turn is mandatory to apply for a J-1 visa. The DS-2019 form is a numbered and limited form that cannot be downloaded from the Internet, so there is no way to avoid involving an exchange organization.

We have been cooperating very successfully for many years with the Visa sponsors InterExchange and TravelWorks and take the place as an interface between the main applicant, US companies, US authorities as well as exchange organizations (J-1 Visa Sponsor) during the application process. The US authorities provide a list of other designated exchange organizations available.

3. Check application documents

Application documents for J-1 visas include a variety of documents related to applicants as well as US companies. The processing is a very complex and time-consuming process. Overall, it takes at least 10 to 12 weeks for J-1 visas to be issued, so the application should be initiated as early as possible.

4. Interview appointment at the responsible US consulate / US embassy

Applicants must usually appear in person at an interview appointment at one of the responsible US consulates. In addition to the general application documents, proof of sufficient financial resources of their own, e.g. in the form of an internship allowance, bank statements or a parent's guarantee, to finance living expenses as well as evidence of the intention to return to the home country must be submitted.

ATTENTION: The U.S. Department of State has suspended the interview appointment requirement for certain J-1 applicants.

J visas for family members

Spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 are granted a derivative J-2 visa for the same period as principal applicants. If the children reach the U.S. age of majority, they must change their nonimmigrant status or leave the country.

Both spouses and children can apply for their own work permit (Employment Authorization Document, EAD) that is not tied to a specific job or the host company of the main applicant. The employment of the spouse:in or children must demonstrably not serve to cover the living expenses of the main applicant.

Applicants for a J-2 visa always need a separate DS-2019 form, which is also issued by the J-1 visa sponsor.

J-2 visa holders are also allowed to attend public/private educational institutions.

Our services for J-1 Visa

For years, our J-Visa staff has been assisting companies and their young graduates worldwide with the very time-consuming and complex process of applying for an exchange visa to the United States. We are particularly specialized in the J-1 categories Intern / Trainee. In addition to the regular consulting and support during the entire application process, we offer the following services for the J-application process:

  • Review and examination of the application documents with regard to the fulfillment of the statutory J-1 requirement profile of the US authorities as well as the respective J-1 visa sponsor, in particular with regard to the Internship / Training Plan (Form DS-7002).
  • If applicable, conduct the English-language telephone interview according to the guidelines of the respective J-1 Visa Sponsor.

We cooperate with the exchange organizations InterExchange and TravelWorks and are the interface between the main applicant, the company in the home country, the US host company, the U.S. authorities and the exchange organization (= J-1 Visa Sponsor).

Bild von Geschäftspersonen in den USA, die sich Notizen machen
Our services for J-1 Visa

For years, our J-Visa staff has been assisting companies and their young graduates worldwide with the very time-consuming and complex process of applying for an exchange visa to the United States. We are particularly specialized in the J-1 categories Intern / Trainee. In addition to the regular consulting and support during the entire application process, we offer the following services for the J-application process:

  • Review and examination of the application documents with regard to the fulfillment of the statutory J-1 requirement profile of the U.S. authorities as well as the respective J-1 visa sponsor, in particular with regard to the Internship / Training Plan (Form DS-7002).
  • If applicable, conduct the English language telephone interview according to the guidelines of the respective J-1 Visa Sponsor.

We cooperate with the exchange organizations InterExchange and TravelWorks and are the interface between the main applicant, the company in the home country, the Us host company, the US authorities and the exchange organization (= J-1 Visa Sponsor).

We advise you comprehensively on your visa options for the USA Get in touch with our experts now!

The most frequently asked questions about the J-1 visa

The fees for applying for a visa vary considerably depending on the category and may regularly increase or decrease, also as a result of exchange rate fluctuations. Therefore, every applicant should inform himself about the current fees before applying.

The application for a U.S. visa must be made through the official U.S. authorities, e.g. the U.S. consulates and U.S. embassies. The actual visa application is placed online, but almost every applicant must go to the consulate in person for a visa interview. With some work visas, it is sometimes necessary to send extensive files by mail to the U.S. authorities in the USA prior to the consular application procedure.
We advise and support companies and private individuals in all matters relating to visa applications. Read more about the requirements, duration and costs of a visa application

Some universities or colleges in the U.S. require their students to present their Social Security Number. However, normally the number is not issued to persons who are temporarily in the United States on an F-1, J-1 or M-1 visa. In this case, the universities should be able to assign a different identification number to the foreign students concerned.

If you want to take up employment that is permitted under the respective student visa, you can apply for a Social Security Number.

SEVIS stands for Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. This is an online database of the U.S. government which enables the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of State to access data of all exchange students who are in the United States. The educational institution's SEVIS registration is required in order to issue the I-20 form which is mandatory for the visa application. To pay the SEVIS fee, a SEVIS number is required, which can be found on the I-20 document.

The I-20 form is issued by the respective educational institution provided that the U.S. educational institution is SEVIS registered. You can find out whether this is the case by using the school search tool of the U.S. authorities.
Please note: The I-20 is not an application form that you can download from the Internet.

We work together with the visa sponsors InterExchange and TravelWorks and act as an interface between the main applicant (graduate), the employer in the home country, the host company in the United States, the U.S. authorities and the respective exchange organisation. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.
Further visa sponsors can be researched on the official website of the U.S. authorities.

An extension is only possible if the total duration does not exceed 12 months for internships or 18 months for trainings. If the applicant is still enrolled at a university or is still in training, an application for a J-1 visa can be made as often as desired.
Exception: Trainees must wait two years before they can apply again. This also applies to all applicants who had already applied for the category "Internal" and now wish to apply for "Trainee".

The J visa entitles its holder to take part in an internship, training or exchange program. These activities may be remunerated, but ordinary employment or unpaid work is strictly prohibited.

Spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 will be issued a derived J-2 visa for the same period as the principal applicant and may travel to the United States on that visa.

As a rule, applicants find out on the day of their interview whether the visa will be granted or not.
In certain cases, the visa applicant receives a letter of refusal from the consulate after a certain processing time. Incidentally, no reasons need to be given for a refusal. The reasons for this can be manifold and range - depending on the visa category - from the assumption of an immigration intention, to the presumption of illegal employment, to insufficient application documentation.
Once this has happened, a new visa can usually only be (successfully) applied for after several months or even years. Theoretically, there is no waiting period for the applicant until the next submission. However, experience shows that without a blatant improvement in the requirements of the respective visa category (e.g. proof of the intention to return to the home country, financial means, proof of specialized professional knowledge, etc.), a new application does not appear to make much sense.

There are a variety of J-1 exchange programs:

  • Au Pair
  • Camp Counselor
  • College and University Student
  • Government Visitor
  • Internal
  • International Visitor
  • Physician
  • Professor
  • Research Scholar
  • Secondary School Student
  • Short-Term Scholar
  • Specialist
  • Summer Work Travel
  • Teacher
  • Trainee

Each category, of course, has its own entry requirements and program regulations.

Application documents for a J-1 visa include a variety of documents related to the applicant as well as the U.S. institutions (e.g., educational institution or U.S. company). Processing is a very complex and time-consuming process. Generally, a generous window of time should be allowed for the issuance of a J-1 visa. For example, for the issuance of a J-1 visa in the "Intern" or "Trainee" category, a minimum of ten to twelve weeks Therefore, the application should be initiated as early as possible.

The background to this long process is that the J-1 visa must not be applied for exclusively at the U.S. consulate, but additionally with the help of an exchange organization (J-1 Visa Sponsor). These organizations have been authorized by the U.S. Department of State to verify that the programs are carried out in accordance with U.S. guidelines. After a review of the applicant as well as the U.S. institution, if applicable, the form will finally be DS-2019 ("Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status"), which in turn is mandatory to apply for a J-1 visa.

Exchange organizations usually charge a minimum age of 18 years (except for the category "Secondary School Student", where a minimum age of 15 years is sufficient).

Except for the "Au Pair" category, which is subject to a maximum age limit of 26, there are no age limits set by the U.S. Department of State (DOS). However, it is at the discretion of the respective visa sponsors to set such a limit for participants in a particular category. Therefore, this should always be discussed with the J-1 visa sponsor who ultimately submits the form.DS-2019The U.S. Department of State provides specific and very strict guidelines regarding the J-1 visa. Although the U.S. Department of State provides specific and very strict guidelines regarding the J-1 visa, the admission requirements of the exchange organizations sometimes vary significantly.

If necessary, the planned stay in the USA can also be part of a company-internal training with an B-1 Visa (Business Visitor) possible. However, the individual case must always be considered and thus individually checked whether the B-1 visa actually represents an alternative to the J-1 visa.

Whether a high school diploma is a requirement for obtaining a J-1 visa depends on the category.

For example, to qualify in the "Internal" category, the applicant must be an enrolled full-time student at an institution of higher education (outside the U.S.) or have successfully completed studies at such an institution within the last twelve months.

One of the following qualifications is required for the Trainee category:

  • a degree from an institution of higher education (outside the U.S.) plus one year of full-time training-related work experience (outside the U.S.).

or

  • Five years of training-related work experience (outside the U.S.).

The form DS-2019("Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status") is mandatory to apply for a J-1 visa and can only be issued through an exchange organization (J-1 Visa Sponsor). These organizations have been authorized by the U.S. Department of State to verify that the exchange programs are conducted in accordance with U.S. guidelines and thus bear a very high level of responsibility for the program participants.

The original DS-2019 form must be presented during the interview appointment at the U.S. Consulate and should be carried with you throughout the program, as it will be required for any program-related entry into the U.S. or extension. Please note that there is no way to avoid involving an exchange organization. A list of designated organizations can be found at the following link: www.j1visa.state.gov/participants/how-to-apply/sponsor-search

At the Form DS-2019 is a numbered and limited form that cannot be filled out and downloaded from the Internet, but is issued only after a detailed evaluation of the participant and the U.S. institution. The issuance of the DS-2019 form is done with the help of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). This web-based database allows both the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of State to directly view the data of all J-1 visa holders who are in the United States. SEVIS includes information on the participant's location, U.S. host entity, and legal status, among other information. Once the data has been entered into SEVIS, the exchange organization is responsible for keeping this data current throughout the duration of the stay and adjusting it if necessary, e.g. in the event of an extension of stay or a change of U.S. host company.

Depending on which J-1 category is being applied for, additional documentation may be required (e.g., degree certificates, evidence of job-related work experience, etc.).

In principle, it is possible to assign an intern in the "Intern" or "Trainee" category to several U.S. locations, provided that each of the individual U.S. locations meets the specific requirements of the exchange organization. Among other things, the number of interns and trainees must be in proportion to regular employees in order to ensure professional supervision by sufficient staff.

It is important that this so-called "Company Transfer" is noted in advance in the Training/Internship Placement Plan (DS-7002) with the corresponding US offices and addresses. Please also note that this intra-company transfer is only possible within the company group; a longer-term transfer to a customer's location is not permitted under any circumstances. Interns and trainees may of course participate in business meetings at the customer's site or customer visits outside the specified US location if accompanied by the supervisor of the US host company.

The J-1 visa can be used for multiple entries only if on the form. DS-2019a travel validation has been noted by the exchange organization. The Travel Validation is necessary because the visa is valid only in connection with the DS-2019 form (on which the specific period of the exchange program is noted).

For this reason, it is particularly important that the relevant exchange organization is contacted in good time in the case of an upcoming travel project. First, the original DS-2019 form must be sent to the organization by mail. Subsequently, an authorized signatory signs the DS-2019 again and thus confirms that the holder of the J visa is "in good standing". This signature is valid for six months and allows the U.S. immigration officer at the border to see directly that all program guidelines have been met and the visa holder may re-enter without difficulty.

When the exchange program has officially ended, there is the possibility to stay in the USA for an additional 30 days ("Grace Period"), for example to travel around the USA. Please note that under no circumstances should the United States be left during this time in order to re-enter afterwards. The DS-2019 form and the J-1 visa will have already expired, i.e. re-entry into the U.S. would theoretically have to be visa-free with the electronic travel authorization (ESTA) can be made. However, the risk of rejection on the part of the U.S. border agent would be too high.

Accompanying spouses and unmarried children up to age 21 receive derivative status upon application and thus a J-2 visa. Both spouses and children can apply for a General Work Permit (GWP) after entering the country with this visa.Employment Authorization Document, EAD) in the U.S. with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). J-2 holders may also attend public or private educational institutions (schools/universities).

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