The latest information on U.S. J-1 visas (internship program)
22 Aug 17:11

Several internship programs allow foreigners to legally live and work in the United States. One of these is the J-1 visa internship program, which is popular among young people. While screening for U.S. employment visas becomes increasingly stringent from year to year, obtaining a J-1 visa, which is primarily designed for internships, is relatively easy. Several internship programs allow foreigners to legally live and work in the United States. One of these is the J-1 visa internship program, which is popular among young people. While screening for U.S. employment visas becomes increasingly stringent from year to year, obtaining a J-1 visa, which is primarily designed for internships, is relatively easy.
About the J-1 visa
A J-1 visa is required for travellers entering the United States as part of an exchange program. If you want to work lawfully in the United States for a company or as an intern, you must get a H visa. However, obtaining an employment (H-1) visa is getting increasingly difficult from year to year, and in certain circumstances, even individuals who have secured the visa are urged to work in vocations other than their planned ones. While it may be easier for people who already have links to firms in the United States to obtain work, for others, the proactive assistance of a U.S. corporation and decision-making on one’s own job-seeking actions are critical. Due to the difficulties of acquiring a working visa (H-visa) and the fact that a J-1 visa may be obtained in a shorter amount of time, J-1 visas are attracting particularly young candidates. A J-1 visa, similar to a working vacation, allows the visitor to stay in the United States while receiving an income through a paid internship with a firm in the United States. A J-1 visa is essential for any paid or unpaid internship in the United States. Before traveling to the United States, double-check your employer’s employment terms and conditions. The J-1 visa is for persons travelling to the United States for employment, as opposed to the Working Holiday visa, which is largely for holiday purposes.Those who want to work in the United States for a limited time and enhance their business abilities should apply for a J-1 visa. Please read “Variety of U.S. visa (non-immigrant visa application) and application procedures” for further information on visa kinds and application methods.
Eligibility to apply for a J-1 visa, and target ages
The J-1 visa is primarily designed for participants in exchange programs. It is classified into 14 categories. Many Japanese travelers apply for trainee and intern visas, which are both meant for persons engaged in business and other training in the United States. J-1 visas are overseen by a different agency than employment (H) visas, with the former falling under the authority of the Department of Commerce and the latter falling under the jurisdiction of the Immigration and Naturalization Service. Furthermore, many J-1 visa sponsors are not the firms where the internships take place, but rather charity organizations approved by the Department of Commerce. Visitors with J-1 visas are permitted to participate in training and internships at companies to which they are dispatched by authorized nonprofits. Those eligible to apply as trainees are with at least one year’s professional experience outside of the U.S. if graduates of junior colleges or four-year colleges or universities and those with at least five years’ professional experience outside of the U.S. if graduates of high school but not college. While there are no age restrictions on J-1 visas, in light of their nature as chiefly training visas they are used mainly by those in their 20s up to the age of 40 years or so. A J-1 visa is valid for 18 months in general, but only for 12 months if the training is connected to tourism, restaurants/bars, or hotels. Internships are open to anyone aged 30 and under who are presently enrolled in junior colleges, four-year colleges, or universities, or who are in their first year after graduating from junior colleges, four-year colleges, or universities and have no professional experience. The J-1 visa is valid for 12 months for an internship regardless of the type of business.

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How long one may stay under a J-1 visa
Those holding J-1 visas are allowed to stay in the United States from 30 days before the start date of the exchange program, as specified on the Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status (DS-2019) provided by the program’s organizer, through 30 days after the program’s end date, as indicated on the DS-2019.
Main conditions of the J-1 visa program
According to the US Embassy website, a J-1 visa is as follows. The J visa for the exchange visitor program is intended to foster the exchange of people, information, and skills in the domains of education, arts, and sciences. The program’s major focus must be on training and skill development. By filling a role that would otherwise be held by a regular employee, the trainee may not replace or supplement the regular employees. It is beneficial to provide a thorough training plan in order to assess eligibility.
The following conditions must be satisfied to apply for a J-1 visa:
- The exchange program by the organizer or educational institution must be an authorized one
- The J-1 visa applicant must be approved by the organizer as an exchange program participant
- The organizer or educational institution must have issued the documents necessary for applying for a J-1 visa
- The exchange program must be intended to promote exchange of human resources, knowledge, and/or technology
- The exchange program must be involved in the fields of education, science or the arts
- The exchange participant must be a student, trainee, teacher, professor, researcher, professional trainee in the medical and allied fields, or international visitor coming for meetings or observation, sharing or demonstrating specialized skills, or participating in interpersonal exchange programs.
The following conditions are necessary to obtain a J-1 visa for an internship in the U.S.:
- The candidate must be over the age of 18.
- The applicant must be fluent in English in order to participate in the internship.
- The firm accepting the intern must have already made a decision.
- The applicant must have sufficient finances (assets) to meet the expenditures of his or her stay in the United States.
Overview of the J-1 visa and conditions for its issue
Costs of obtaining a J-1 visa(estimate) | USD 4,000~5,000 (for an intern) USD 4,500~6,000 (for a trainee) |
How long it takes to obtain the visa | 2~3 months |
Period of validity | 12 months (for an intern) 18 months (for a trainee) |
Renewal | Not permitted |
Permission for spouse to work | Not permitted (a spouse must have a J-2 visa) |
Screening for a J-1 visa
Finding an employer in the United States and having them provide a DS-2019 (IAP-66) form does not guarantee that a J-1 visa will be obtained. United States embassies and consulates screen J-1 visa applications based on factors such as the applicant’s relationship with the employer, the applicant’s specialized skills and English abilities, and plans for his or her activities while in the United States. The J-1 visa applicant’s family circumstances and the financing (assets) required to support the costs of his or her stay in the United States are also subject to scrutiny. When applying for a visa, make sure to prepare well.

About working holidays
The working holiday program, as the name indicates, allows tourists to work to cover their living expenses while on vacation in the United States. The working vacation program was developed not just to promote labor, but also to increase international understanding by learning about foreign cultures while living in the United States for an extended period of time. The following are the working holiday conditions: A working holiday visa is one sort of visa, and a working holiday is defined as a holiday during which a young visitor is permitted to enter the nation on vacation and work to earn the costs of living during his or her stay, depending on agreements between countries or regions.
The family J visa (J-2 visa)
Spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 who accompany a J-1 visa holder are eligible to apply for a family J visa (J-2 visa). Check the requirements listed below.
- In general, a spouse or kid in the United States on a family J visa may not work. To acquire authorization to work in the United States, a spouse or child must file Form I-765, Application for Employment Authorization, to US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
- Family visas (J-2 visas) are not designed for spouses and children visiting a J-1 visa holder in the United States but not residing with him or her. Those planning to stay in the United States for an extended amount of time may consider applying for a B-2 visa.
Documents required when applying for a J visa
The following papers must be given to the embassy or consulate when applying for a J-1 visa. All documents must have English translations attached because they will be checked in the United States. Other papers, in addition to those listed below, may be required depending on the state of the screening and the candidate.
- (DS-160) online application form
- Documentation of embassy or consulate interview appointment
- Passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the anticipated stay in the United States.
- Passports that have expired within the last ten years
- Identification photograph taken within the last six months (one 5 cm 5 cm photograph)
Please keep in mind that this must be a color photograph shot against a white background, with no eyeglasses on. - Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor [J-1] Status (DS-2019)
If your DS-2019 is not received at least one month before the commencement of the program, you may be interviewed without it.
In this scenario, send the DS-2019 as soon as it comes to the US embassy or consulate. - Certification showing sufficient funds to meet the expenditures of a stay in the U.S.
Note: If sponsored by a parent, guardian, or another supporter, submit an original bank balance certificate or passbook, as well as documentation verifying the link to the applicant and the supporter’s finances. - Copy of form DS-7002 (provided by the accepting institution) for interns and trainees
- Certification of payment of SEVIS expenses (copy of receipt) is required for candidates who are not participating in exchange programs financed by the federal government of the United States.
Those with serious criminal records | In addition to the essential paperwork, the following must be submitted:
To protect secrecy, deliver these documents in a sealed envelope to the embassy or consulate. As required by law, consular staff will evaluate each document individually. It should be noted that the application will be canceled if any of the papers supplied contain fraudulent information. |
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Those eligible for waiver of J visa application fees
Applicants who propose to engage in exchange programs organized by the United States federal government, USAID, the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), or other comparable sponsors may be eligible for a waiver of the J visa application cost. Programs with program numbers beginning with G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-7 are eligible for waivers of J-1 visa application expenses. Examine the program number on the DS-2019. Qualified candidates are eligible for waivers of the J visa application and SEVIS fees, as well as different interviews than regular J-1 visa applicants. For further information, contact a US embassy or consulate. (Those who qualify for this waiver are not permitted to schedule appointments online.)
J-1 visas and ESTA
While a J visa is comparable to a H visa, sometimes known as an employment visa, its primary objective is international cultural interaction rather than employment or labor. As a result, many of its candidates are young, and it entails a wide spectrum of active social contributions and interaction. There are other sorts of visas, and a growing number of Japanese people are asking for not just J visas but also B-2 visas for long-term visits for sightseeing and B-1 visas for business. General travel to the United States, such as on organized tours, needs an ESTA application rather than a visa. Even people in transit through the United States, regardless of age, must get an ESTA. Those expecting to remain in the United States for more than 90 days should apply for an ESTA at least three days before their trip.
TRAVELING TO THE UNITED STATES?
Do You Have U.S. ESTA VISA Travel Authorization? If You Have ESTA Application, Check if it is Still Valid!