Inviting J-1 Exchange Visitor Interns

The U.S. Department of State has a special category called “J-1 Student Intern” under the J-1 Exchange Visitor visa classification, which is intended for students who are currently enrolled in a degree program abroad to visit the United States for internships of up to 12 months in duration. Due to the additional eligibility requirements, documentation and fees involved, International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS) recommends that this category be used only for J-1 Exchange Visitors who are not eligible for Short-term Scholar, Research Scholar or Professor categories.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to participate as a J-1 Student Intern, a prospective Exchange Visitor must meet these conditions: Be currently enrolled in and pursuing a degree at an accredited postsecondary academic institution outside the United States.

  • Participate only in an internship in the United States that fulfills an educational objective for his/her current degree program at his/her home institution abroad.
  • Have verifiable English language skills sufficient to function on a day-to-day basis in the internship environment. Accepted forms of English proficiency can be found here.
  • Be primarily in the United States to engage in a student internship program rather than to engage in employment or provide services to an employer.
  • Be accepted into a student internship program at the postsecondary accredited academic institution listed on his/her Form DS-2019.
  • Be in good academic standing at his/her home institution outside the United States.
  • The student must return to his/her academic program outside the United States and fulfill and obtain a degree from such academic institution after completion of the student internship program.
  • Have sufficient finances to support himself/herself and dependents for their entire stay in the United States, including housing and living expenses.

Department Responsibilities

A UT Department that would like to bring a J-1 Exchange Visitor under the “J-1 Student Intern” category should be prepared to assume the following responsibilities related to immigration requirements:

  • Submit the J-1 Online Request Form and pay the associated ISSS fee (processed via IDT).
  • Complete the J-1 Student Intern Supplemental Worksheet, clearly describing the J-1 Student Intern’s intended program and outlining specific and measurable goals for the duration of the program.
  • Complete the J-1 English Proficiency Form.
  • Complete a J-1 Student Intern Evaluation Form at the conclusion of the program. A mid-term evaluation is also required for programs that are over six months in duration.
  • Notify ISSS if the J-1 Student Intern discontinues his or her program earlier than originally planned.

Requesting Documents for a J-1 Student Intern

You can start a request on our MyIO For Departments page for all J-1 Exchange Visitors, including J-1 Student Interns.

Upon submission of the J-1 Online Request Form, the system will generate an automatic email messages to the following individuals:

  • Prospective J-1 Exchange Visitor
  • Supervising Professor
  • Department Chair/Director

Once all of the above steps are completed, ISSS will review the information submitted, and request departmental assistance with the completion of additional required forms, including the Form DS-7002. Form DS-7002 is required for the J-1 Student Intern’s visa application. The prospective J-1 Student Intern will also be required to coordinate the completion of the J-1 Student Intern Academic Advisor Form with his/her current academic advisor at the home country institution and submit the form to ISSS.

Departments and Exchange Visitors may check the status of the J-1 request on the in myIO.

Fees

The ISSS fee for immigration services provided for a J-1 Student Intern is $700 (an IDT will be sent to the hosting department upon submission of the J-1 Online Request Form). This fee can also be paid by the intern. In this case, the department will not be billed. We will refer the intern to our TX SHOP website to make the payment. All J-1 Exchange Visitors are responsible for paying $220 SEVIS fee to the Department of Homeland Security (www.fmjfee.com) and a $185 visa application fee to the U.S. Department of State.