Participant Requirements

InterExchange Career Training USA is open to students and young professionals from countries outside of the USA. The program provides participants temporary opportunities to gain international experience and advance their careers in their home countries.

Internships are open to:

  • Students currently enrolled in a degree or professional certificate program in a college, university, or other post-secondary academic institution outside the U.S.
  • Individuals who have graduated from these institutions within 12 months of the internship start date
  • Internships must be related to the intern's academic field of study

Training Programs are open to:

  • Individuals who hold a degree or professional certificate from a post-secondary academic institution, college, university, or other post-secondary academic institution outside the US and at least one year of related professional experience outside the U.S.
  • Individuals with at least five years of related professional experience outside the U.S. (These participants must provide letters of reference from former employers to verify their work experience.)
  • Training programs must be related to the trainee's occupational field

All program participants must also:

  • Complete an internship or training program with an eligible host employer
  • Be between the ages of 18 and 38.
  • Be involved in an internship or training program related to their studies (Interns) or professional experience (Trainees).
  • Be interviewed in-person, over the phone or via web camera by InterExchange or an approved InterExchange cooperator.
  • Have verifiable English language skills and possess comprehension of English terminology of their field.
  • Be covered by sufficient Accident & Sickness insurance throughout their time in the USA. Insurance is included in the program fee, and may not be declined.
  • Have sufficient funds to support themselves during their time in the USA (including housing and living costs).
  • Be involved in an internship or training program in a field that InterExchange is designated to sponsor, including the following: Architecture, Business, Commerce & Finance, Engineering, Hospitality & Tourism, Information Media & Communications, Management, Marketing & Sales, Public Administration & Law, the Sciences, and Industrial Occupations. InterExchange cannot sponsor training programs in the arts (Arts Administration is allowed), medicine, teaching, social work, or manual labor.
  • Be applying for the J-1 from outside the United States.  Any candidate requiring a Change of Status to the J-1 will not be permitted to apply through InterExchange.
  • Candidates who recently completed a degree and/or optional practical training within the USA are not eligible to apply through InterExchange.

Are you eligible for the program? Request more info!