Frequently asked questions for Internship USA

Q. What is a J-1 Visa?

J Visa is a nonimmigrant visa issued through the Exchange Visitor Program. Entry into the U.S. as a participant in the Exchange Visitor Program is granted with the understanding that participants will complete the objectives of their program category. The program categories offered through Career Training USA are “Intern” and “Trainee”.

Q. What is the difference between an Intern and a Trainee?

Interns: Currently enrolled in and pursuing studies at a degree- or certificate-granting post-secondary academic institution outside the U.S. OR have graduated from such an institution within 12 months of program start date. Interns are permitted to work in the U.S. for up to 12 months, and their field of training must be related to their field of study.

Trainees: Have earned a degree or professional certificate from a foreign post-secondary academic institution (the degree does not have to be related to the field of training) and at least one year of related professional experience acquired outside the U. S. OR five years of related professional experience acquired outside the U. S. Trainees are permitted to work in the U.S. for up to 18 months (the exception is that Hospitality/Tourism programs may not be longer than 12 months). The Trainee’s field of training should be related to their professional experience.

Q. What is a DS-2019?

In order to apply for a J1 Intern/Trainee visa, an applicant must first be approved for sponsorship and be issued a DS-2019, which is a U.S. government document issued by Career Training USA certifying that we have agreed to sponsor your J1 Intern/Trainee visa.

Q. What is SEVIS?

SEVIS is the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. All Interns/Trainees must be registered in the SEVIS database. Career Training USA will enter you into the SEVIS database if you are approved for sponsorship.

You must pay the $180 SEVIS fee prior to your visa appointment at the U.S. Embassy. Global Choices will give you instructions for making your SEVIS payment after your application has been approved. This fee goes to the Department of Homeland Security-not to Career Training USA.

Q. I have already had a J-1 Visa. Can I get another J-1 Visa through Global Choices?

Applicants who have previously had J-1 Visas in other categories (Au Pair, Student, Work and Travel, etc.) can apply for both the J-1 Intern and J-1 Trainee visa at a later date.

Q. I have already done an Intern/Trainee program. Can I do the program again?

The J-1 Intern Visa is repeatable. However, to qualify for a new J1 Intern Visa, an applicant must show that they are learning new or more advanced skills. Global Choices cannot sponsor back-to-back J-1 Intern Visas. For example, completing a J-1 Intern Visa of 12 months and immediately applying to do another J-1 Intern Visa of 12 months is not allowed. Our policy is that applicants should return to school for at least one more term before applying to another J-1 Intern program in order to demonstrate that they are actively pursuing a degree.

Interns/Trainees who have completed a J-1 Trainee visa must wait at least two years before being eligible for another J-1 Trainee Visa. This is not related to the Two Year Rule (Rule 212e), but it is part of the regulations for the J-1 Trainee Visa.

Q. Do I need insurance?

Participants are required to have accident and sickness insurance for the entirety of their stay in the US. Global Choices offers insurance at an affordable rate.

Q. What is an I-94 card?

The I-94 card is used by Immigration and Customs Enforcement to track the arrival and departure of foreign nationals. You will receive an I-94 card upon entering the U.S., and you will be asked to give the card back when you leave. Please note the date indicated on your card-this is the date by which you must leave the U.S. If it is marked “D/S”, that means you may remain in the U.S. for the duration of your program status. That is the end date of your program, plus your 30-day grace period.

Q. I lost my I-94 card. What do I do?

If you have lost your I-94 card, you can apply for a new one at the following link: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/info/info_2009.html

Q. What career fields are accepted under Internship Training USA programme?

Global Choices is accepting trainees in the following 7 general occupational categories:

Arts and Culture
Information Media and Communications
Education, Social Sciences, Library Science, Counseling and Social Services
Management, Business, Commerce, Finance (including Hospitality and Hotel Management)
The Sciences, Engineering, Architecture, Mathematics, and Industrial Occupations
Public Administration and Law
Agriculture.

Q. What career fields are NOT accepted under Internship Training USA programme?

Global Choices is not authorized, under the Trainee category, to place Interns to work as the following: au pairs or any domestic work such as babysitting or housekeeping, camp counselor, medical interns or anything involving hands-on therapy, counseling, administrating medical treatment or making diagnoses of medical, psychiatric or psychological patients. Also, Global Choices is not authorized to place participants to train as crew members on a ship or airplane, or as pilots.

Q. Can I work on the side or take a paying internship while on Global Choices’ ITP?

Extra-curricular employment outside the your Global Choices’ Internship Training USA programme is strictly prohibited.

Q. Are there any visa limitations regarding the length of stay in the U.S.?

You will be issued a J-1 visa for the exact dates listed on your DS 2019 form (e.g. your legal training dates). Also, upon entry into the U.S., Form I-94 will be attached to your passport. The I-94 indicates the last day you may be in the U.S. on this J-1 visa. Alternatively, “D/S” may be stamped on the I-94 card instead of an actual date. “D/S” is an abbreviation for “Duration of Status” which is equivalent to the specified time indicated on the DS 2019 form plus a 30-day “grace” period reserved for travel purposes only.

Q. Am I able to extend my training programme?

The ITP terminates per the dates indicated on the DS 2019 form. Once the DS 2019 is issued and you have entered the U.S., no programme extension will be granted beyond the original programme duration dates as indicated on the DS 2019 form.

Q. Can I continue my training at the Host Business during the 30-day “grace” period?

NO. Once your DS 2019 dates have expired, you are no longer in a bona fide sponsored training programme and cannot continue at the Host Business. You have the option of either returning home or staying in the U.S. an additional 30 days beyond the expired DS dates for the exclusive purpose of travel. If you wish to remain in the U.S. to travel longer than the 30 days allowed following the programme, you need to contact the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) office and request a change of status to a B-2 (tourist) visa. You will need to complete the INS form I-539 and pay a fee of $75. The INS recommends that the tourist visa application be submitted 45 days prior the expiration of the participant’s J-1 visa. *PLEASE NOTE: YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR CONTRACTING APPROPRIATE INSURANCE TO COVER THE TRAVEL PERIOD FOLLOWING THE TRAINING PROGRAMME.

Q. Am I able to extend my training programme?

Q. Can I bring my dependents (spouse and children) to the US?

Yes. Your spouse and/or dependent children may accompany you for the duration of your program. However, they must apply for the J-2 Visa. Please indicate on your application that you will be bringing your spouse and/or children with you and provide the dependent information requested in the application.

Q. What are the reasons for my application to be rejected?

Each application is considered on a case-by-case basis and we may reject any application that we feel does not meet our interpretation of the program rules and regulations. The most common reasons for rejecting an application include the following:

1. The applicant does not have the required education or experience in order to satisfy the eligibility requirements.
2. The proposed internship/training program is for unskilled labor. If you are intending to perform unskilled or manual labor (waiting tables, housekeeping, etc.) our Work and Travel programs may be better suited for you.
3. The host employer does not meet the program requirements.
4. The proposed internship/training program is not related to the applicant’s field of study or occupational experience. Interns’ programs must be related to their academic field of study and Trainees’ programs must be related to their occupational background.
5. The proposed program is in a field Global Choices is not able to find. Our general categories for Interns are as follows: Hospitality and Tourism; Information Media & Communications; Management, Business, Commerce, and Finance; Public Administration & Law; and the Sciences, Engineering, Architecture, Mathematics, Industrial Occupations and Agriculture. We encourage you to inquire before submitting an application as to whether your program is in a field we are able to sponsor.

Q. How long can I stay in the USA?

The maximum duration of the J-1 Intern Visa is 12 months. The maximum duration of the J-1 Trainee Visa is 18 months. Hospitality/Tourism training programs are limited to 12 months, per the program regulations.