US J-1 intern and trainee visa

Interns must be enrolled full time in a degree or certificate programme outside the United States or have graduated no more than 12 months before the programme starts. Trainees need a degree or professional certificate from a foreign post-secondary institution and at least 1 year of related work experience abroad, or 5 years of work experience in the field. Both need English adequate for the placement and a sponsor-approved plan; the placement must be training, not ordinary employment.

You need both a host organisation in the US and a J-1 sponsor designated by the State Department for the intern or trainee category; the sponsor vets the host, approves the DS-7002 and issues the DS-2019. Fees charged by sponsors are separate from government fees. Then pay the $220 SEVIS fee and the $185 visa fee.

Internships may last up to 12 months and training programmes up to 18 months; training in agriculture and in hospitality and tourism is limited to 12 months, although agriculture can reach 18 months if at least 6 months are classroom study. Extensions must stay within these maximums.

Some exchange visitors must spend 2 years in their home country after the programme before they can get H, L or K status or a green card (INA 212(e)). It applies, for example, when the programme was funded by the US government or the government of their home country, when the field appears on the Exchange Visitor Skills List for that country, or for graduate medical training. The DS-2019 and visa carry a preliminary note; a waiver can be requested from the State Department.