J-1 internship in the USA: real experience for a global career

Most J-1 internships are paid. Your pay depends on the industry, city, position and your experience; it's agreed with the host company and confirmed in writing during the application. Many sponsors require Trainees to earn at least minimum wage. Since there's no fixed salary for every position, we review your offer with you and plan your budget around it.

It comes down to where you are today. The Intern program is for university students and for graduates who finished no more than 12 months before the program starts, and it lasts up to 12 months. The Trainee program is for degree holders with at least 1 year of experience in their field, or for professionals with 5 years of experience without a degree; it can last up to 18 months, or 12 months in hospitality & tourism and agriculture.

Yes. If your internship starts within 12 months of your graduation, you can join as an Intern. What counts is the program start date, not the application date. Since the host company and visa steps can take a few months, the best time to start preparing is during your final year. If more than 12 months have passed, the Trainee option opens up once you have 1 year of experience in your field.

The length is set by the training plan you prepare with your host company. Intern programs last up to 12 months and Trainee programs up to 18 months; in hospitality & tourism and agriculture, Trainee programs are capped at 12 months. After your program ends, you have a 30-day grace period to leave the U.S., which you can use to travel.

Yes. Going with a company you've found yourself is called self-placement. The company must be approved by the sponsor organization and sign the DS-7002 training plan with you. If you don't have a company yet, we'll look at placement support options together. We'll work out which route suits you in a free initial consultation.

The DS-7002 is the Training/Internship Placement Plan for J-1 interns and trainees. It sets out your goals, the skills you'll learn, the supervisor who'll guide you and how you'll be evaluated. You, your host company and the sponsor sign it; it's prepared before your DS-2019 is issued, and you bring it to your visa interview. A well-prepared plan makes your whole internship more rewarding.

The J-1 internship covers 10 career fields: hospitality and tourism; management, business, commerce and finance; sciences, engineering, architecture, mathematics and industrial occupations; information media and communications; arts and culture; education, social sciences, library science, counseling and social services; public administration and law; construction and building trades; agriculture, forestry and fishing; and health-related occupations. What matters is that the position connects to your studies or experience and teaches you new skills.

In the Intern and Trainee categories, your spouse and children under 21 can accompany you on J-2 visas. Health insurance is required for family members too, and sponsors may ask for additional proof of funds. Since sponsor policies vary, raising your family plans at the very start makes choosing the right sponsor and program easier.

You have 30 days after your program end date to leave the U.S. You can't work during this time, but you can travel, and many participants use it to explore the country. If you'd like to extend your program without exceeding the maximum length, you can apply to your sponsor for an extension before your end date.

If you can communicate comfortably in a work setting, you're most likely ready. Your level is assessed through a recognized language test, a document from your school, or an interview by video or phone. Being able to talk about your field in English during the employer interview matters, too. We'll assess your level together in our first meeting and help you prepare with mock interviews.