Terms to know for J1 Interns
| Term | Definition |
|---|---|
| J-1 Visa | The nonimmigrant visa category issued by a U.S. embassy or consulate that allows foreign nationals to enter the United States as participants in the Exchange Visitor Program. The visa stamp in the passport enables entry; the actual program authorization comes from the DS-2019 form, issued by a US State Department Designated sponsor. |
| Exchange Visitor Program (BridgeUSA) | The U.S. Department of State program that facilitates cultural and educational exchanges. Of the multiple categories of the J1 visa, the: Intern and Trainee categories are designed to provide hands-on, structured work-based learning in the participant’s academic or occupational field while promoting mutual understanding between the U.S. and other countries. |
| Designated Sponsor (Visa Sponsor / J-1 Sponsor) | An organization officially designated by the U.S. Department of State to administer J-1 Intern and Trainee programs. Sponsors issue the DS-2019 form, create the participant’s SEVIS record, monitor compliance, provide orientation and support, and ensure the program follows federal regulations. Hosts work with a sponsor but are not usually the sponsor themselves. Designated sponsors are listed on the DOS site here: Sponsor List |
| Host Organization (Host Company / Host Employer) | The U.S.-based company, organization, or entity that actually provides the internship or training opportunity. The host is responsible for day-to-day supervision, creating and following the Training/Internship Placement Plan (DS-7002), ensuring the experience is educational and not ordinary employment, and providing a safe, professional work environment. (Host Organization is the official term, but sometimes they are referred to as host employers.) |
| Applicant | A foreign national who is applying to participate in a J-1 Intern or Trainee program. Once accepted by a sponsor and issued a DS-2019, the applicant becomes a participant/exchange visitor. |
| Participant (Exchange Visitor) | The approved J-1 visa holder who is in the United States for the internship or training program. The term “exchange visitor” is the official legal name used in regulations. |
| Intern | A J-1 category participant who is either (1) currently enrolled full-time in a degree- or certificate-granting post-secondary academic institution outside the U.S., or (2) graduated from such an institution no more than 12 months before the program start date. Interns receive structured, hands-on experience that reinforces their academic studies (maximum program duration: 12 months). |
| Trainee | A J-1 category participant who has either (1) a degree or professional certificate from a foreign post-secondary institution plus at least one year of related work experience outside the U.S., or (2) five years of full-time work experience outside the U.S. in the occupational field. Trainees receive advanced, structured training to develop new skills and American techniques related to their fields. (maximum program duration: 18 months. (hospitality trainee programs are limited to 12 months)). |
| DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status) | The official form issued by the designated sponsor. It identifies the participant, sponsor, program dates, category (Intern or Trainee), and SEVIS ID number. The participant must present this form when applying for a J-1 visa and when entering the U.S. |
| SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) | The federal database managed by the Department of Homeland Security that tracks all J-1 (and F/M student) participants. Sponsors enter participant data into SEVIS and issue the DS-2019 from the system. |
| T/IPP or DS-7002 (Training/Internship Placement Plan) | The required, detailed training plan that must be completed and signed by the participant, the sponsor, and the host organization before the program begins. It outlines specific phases, learning objectives, skills to be acquired, supervision, and evaluation criteria. This form is mandatory for Intern and Trainee categories and is designed to ensure the experience is truly educational. (Need help with this? Ask your visa sponor) |
| J-2 Visa | The dependent visa available to the spouse and unmarried children under 21 of a J-1 participant. J-2 dependents may accompany the J-1 holder and, in many cases, apply for work authorization. |
| Occupational Categories | The specific professional fields approved by the Department of State for Intern and Trainee programs (e.g., Management, Business, Finance & Commerce; Sciences, Engineering & Architecture; Information Media & Communications; Hospitality & Tourism; Public Administration & Law, etc.). Placements must fall within these categories. See the Categories page here. |
| Program Duration | Official maximum lengths set by regulation: • Intern → 12 months total • Trainee → 18 months total (some categories allow extensions under limited circumstances). Programs must be full-time (and ensure minimum 32 hours of training per week). Stipend is required for programs longer then 6 months. |
| International Placement Companies |
International Placement companies are third party businesses, that work with travel agencies, and applicants, to bring together applicants to host organizations. However, since they are not the visa sponsor, many times they add additional cost to the participants in increased program fees. |