Intern and Trainee FAQ's |
General FAQ's
Q. What is the difference between an Intern and a Trainee?
Q. What is the difference between the J1 Visa Sponsorship Program and the Internship Placement Program?
Q. I need a work visa. Should I apply to the International Internship program?
Q. How can InterExchange help me find an internship placement?
Q. How long can I stay in the U.S.?
Q. What is the difference between a J-1 Visa and an H Visa?
Q. Does InterExchange issue the J-1 Visa?
Q. What is SEVIS?
Q. Can I buy a DS-2019 form?
Q. I am currently participating in the Work & Travel program. Can I apply to the International Practical Training program?
Q. I have trained for one year at a U.S. company. Can I train at this company again?
Q. Can I be paid by my employer while on the Training program?
Q. Can I have a second job while participating in an Internship program?
Q. Can my spouse and children accompany me on the J-1 Visa?
Q. Is there a fee for dependents?
Q. My host employer has asked me to start my training next week. Is there time for me to apply?
Q. I'm traveling outside of the U.S. What do I need to do?
Q. Can I have my DS-2019 form expedited?
Q. I lost my DS. What do I do?
Q. I have just arrived in the US. What do I do now?
Q. How do I apply for a Social Security card?
Q. What should I do if my home address changes during my internship?
Q. How long can I stay in the U.S. after my internship finishes?
Q. What is the difference between an Intern and a Trainee?
In order to qualify for the J1 Intern visa, an applicant must currently be a university student attending a university outside the US or have graduated in the past 12 months from a university outside the US. The applicant's Intern Program must be in their field of study.
In order to qualify for the J1 Trainee visa, applicants must have at least an Associates Degree(two years) from a university outside the US in the field that they wish to train or at least five years work experience in the field that they wish to train.
Q. What is the difference between the J1 Visa Sponsorship Program and the Internship Placement Program?
The J1 Visa Sponsorship Program is for a host employer who has already found a trainee/intern or a trainee/intern who has already found a host employer. The Internship Placement Program is for an employer who wishes for InterExchange to find a trainee/intern for them or an applicant who wishes to have InterExchange place them at a company in the US.
Q. I need a work visa. Should I apply to the International Internship program?
A. No. The International Professional Training program issues a J-1 Visa that is intended for purposes of training only. The Practical Training program is not intended to substitute for a work visa (H Visa). Use of a J-1 Visa issued by the International Practical Training program for purposes other than training is a violation of U.S. immigration law. For more information regarding the work visa (H Visa), please visit www.uscis.gov
Q. How can InterExchange help me find an internship placement?
A. Please contact our office and we may be able to help you. Currently we have placements in the Hospitality, Information Technology and Business Management fields. To view available positions, please click on "Available Internships Jobs".
Q. How long can I stay in the U.S.?
A. You can stay for as long as the training/internship period lasts. For Trainees the period is between one and eighteen months. Hospitality programs can run up to 12 months, but can be for 18 months if the training is in the business management area. After your training program is done, you can travel in the U.S. for up to 30 days.
For Interns, the period is between one and twelve months.
After your internship is done, you can travel in the U.S. for up to 30 days.
Q. What is the difference between a J-1 Visa and an H Visa?
A. A J-1 Visa is a temporary visa used for exchange visitor programs such as the Intern/Training program. The H Visa is a work visa. The J-1 is not intended to be a substitute for a work visa. If you want to be employed, you do not qualify for the J-1 Visa.
Q. Does InterExchange issue the J-1 Visa?
A. No. Upon acceptance of an application, InterExchange will issue a DS-2019 form. The trainee then brings the DS-2019 form to the U.S. embassy or consulate in her/his home country to apply for the J-1 Visa.
Q. What is SEVIS?
SEVIS is the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. It is a requirement as part of your J-1 internship program that you pay the correct SEVIS fee and register in the SEVIS database. As soon as you arrive in the US please call or email the Career Training Department to activate your SEVIS record.
Q. Can I buy a DS-2019 form?
A. No. InterExchange cannot sell DS-2019 forms. A DS-2019 form is issued to a qualifying applicant upon InterExchange's acceptance of her/his application and full payment of program and insurance fees.
Q. I am currently participating in the Work & Travel program. Can I apply to the International Practical Training program?
A. You may apply to the Practical Training program, but you must return to your home country to do so. The International Practical Training program may not function as an extension of the Work & Travel program.
Q. I have trained for one year at a U.S. company. Can I train at this company again?
A. You can only train again at the same company if you were on an F-1 Practical Training visa, have at least an Associates Degree from a university outside the US(to fulfill the requirement for J1 Trainee visa eligibility) in the field of study that you would like to train in, AND you feel as though you still need more training. Please note that it is very difficult to get accepted for more training at the same company. Please make sure you do need more training at this U.S. company. The J-1 Visa is NOT a replacement for a work visa.
Please note that those currently studying in the US are not eligible for the J1 Intern visa(for further information about the difference between the J1 Trainee and J1 Intern visa, please see the first question).
Q. Can I be paid by my employer while on the Training program?
A. Yes. Internships may be paid or unpaid. Any pay or benefits should be arranged between the intern and his or her host company.
Q. Can I have a second job while participating in an Internship program?
A. No. Applicants on the J-1 Intern/Training visa are not allowed to have second jobs.
Q. Can my spouse and children accompany me on the J-1 Visa?
A. Yes. Your spouse and/or dependent children may accompany you for the duration of your internship. However, they would be on the J-2 Visa (also sponsored through InterExchange). Please indicate on your application that you will be bringing your spouse and/or children with you. Please see the price listing for program fees for dependents.
In addition, you are responsible for purchasing insurance for your spouse and/or dependent children. InterExchange can no longer provide insurance for dependents. Therefore, an applicant will need to purchase insurance for his/her dependents prior to coming to begin their training/internship. The applicant will need to have the insurance provider complete/sign/stamp the Confirmation of Existing Insurance form in the application confirming coverage beyond all stated limits for the duration of their stay. This form must be submitted with the application. Please note that very few US employers provide the type of insurance required by the federal government for the J1 Trainee/Intern program.
Q. Is there a fee for dependents?
Yes. The program fee for the first dependent is $425 plus $100 for each additional dependent.
Q. My host employer has asked me to start my training next week. Is there time for me to apply?
A. No. The length of the application process for the International Practical Training program depends on a number of factors, including the completeness of the application. InterExchange strongly recommends that self-arranged applicants submit their applications at least six weeks prior to the date on which they intend to begin their training.
Q. I'm traveling outside of the U.S. What do I need to do?
Please submit your DS-2019 form to InterExchange for a signature for valid travel authorization. You can either come into the office in New York or mail the form to us (registered mail is advised). A cover letter should be included with your DS form with the following information: dates of travel, destination, address where you would like the signed form sent, and payment of $20 for overnight delivery. If you do not include payment, we will send the signed document back by regular mail, which is slower and not guaranteed. The signature will be valid for 6 months travel. However, you should notify InterExchange by email every time you travel outside the country with the dates of travel and destination.
Q. Can I have my DS-2019 form expedited?
A. No. InterExchange does not have a "rush" option and cannot expedite applications. Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis. Please submit your completed application to InterExchange at least six weeks prior to the date on which you intend to begin your training.
Q. I lost my DS. What do I do?
You must notify InterExchange immediately. Upon receipt of $25 we will print you a new DS form. If you would like us to send it to you overnight, there is a $20 shipping fee.
Q. I have just arrived in the US. What do I do now?
Call or email InterExchange to let us know you have arrived. In order to activate you in SEVIS we will need the following information: date of arrival, address in the US, phone number where you can be reached, and a copy of your visa.
Q. How do I apply for a Social Security card?
After you have contacted InterExchange and we have activated you in SEVIS, you can apply for the social security card at the local social security office. We normally recommend interns to wait 7-10 days after they are activated in SEVIS before applying for a social security card.
Q. What should I do if my home address changes during my internship?
Please contact InterExchange with the new address details so that we can update your record in SEVIS.
Q. How long can I stay in the U.S. after my internship finishes?
You can stay in the U.S. for up to 30 days after your internship finishes. We encourage all interns to travel around the U.S. during this time.
