J-1 Student Interns

J-1 Student Intern Program

The purpose of this US Department of State (DOS) program is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries through educational and cultural exchanges. For more information, visit the DOS website.

Program Duration

• Academic departments may nominate J-1 student interns throughout the year.
• The shortest possible duration is 3 weeks. The longest possible duration is 12 months.

Student Intern Eligibility

• Be currently enrolled in and pursuing a degree at an accredited post-secondary academic institution outside the United States.
• The internship must fulfill the educational objectives for the intern’s current degree program at his or her home institution.
• Have verifiable English language skills sufficient to function on a day-to-day basis in the internship environment.
• Be in good academic standing at his or her home institution outside the United States.
• Return to his or her academic program outside the United States and fulfill the education requirements for that institution after completion of the student internship program.
• Have sufficient finances to support himself or herself for their entire stay in the United States, including housing and living expenses.
• Have proof of health insurance for the duration of their program in the United States.
• Be in the United States primarily to engage in a student internship program rather than to engage in employment or provide services to an employer.

Host Department Requirements

• Assess the student’s English language ability is sufficient to function on a day-to-day basis.
• Complete a detailed Training/Internship Placement Plan including an offer of internship.
• Completes a Program Evaluation Form (signed by supervisor and student intern) and submits to ISSO.

Internship Requirements

• Must be full-time (at least 32 hours per week).
• Consist of no more than 20% clerical work.
• Fulfill the educational objectives for the intern’s degree program at his or her home institution.
• All tasks assigned must be necessary for the completion of the student internship program.
• Expose the participant to American techniques, methodologies, and technology while expanding upon the participant’s existing knowledge and skills which does not duplicate the student intern’s prior experience.
• Encourage the participant to engage in cross-cultural activities, to build understanding and exchange between their home country and the U.S.
• Not place a student intern in any position that involves aviation, unskilled or casual labor, child care or elder care, or any other kind of work that involves patient care or contact.
• The internship cannot serve to fill a labor need.
• Exist solely to assist the student intern in achieving the objectives of his or her participation in a student internship program.
• Consist of work-based learning, rather than ordinary employment or unskilled labor.
• Not involve a staffing/employment agency in any way.
• Not displace “American workers” (including full or part-time, temporary or permanent).

Application Process to Request Sponsorship

• The UT Dallas host department screens the potential student intern for program eligibility. If appropriate, conducts an interview with the potential student intern to determine English language proficiency.
• The host department initiate the immigration process with the ISSO.
• Student intern will receive log-in credential and instruction to complete eForms through iComet.
• ISSO sends student intern the following items by regular mail. The student can also place an express mail order:
  • Form DS-2019
  • Host department invitation letter
  • Training/Internship Placement Plan (TIPP)
• Student intern signs the TIPP and Form DS-2019 and applies for a J-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad.
• Intern enters the United States no earlier than 30 days before the Form DS-2019 start date.
• Intern completes mandatory immigration check-in and orientation with ISSO within one week of arrival. At check-in the student intern must present the following:
  • Signed copy of TIPP
  • Form DS-2019
  • J-1 visa
  • I-94
  • Proof of adequate health insurance

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