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J-1 Student Intern

Participation in the J-1 Student Intern subcategory is available only to foreign students currently enrolled and pursuing a degree at a post-secondary academic institution outside the United States, whose U.S. internship will "fulfill the educational objectives for his or her current degree program at his or her home institution." Student interns may participate in the J-1 Student Internship program for up to 12 months for each foreign degree/major.

The Exchange Visitor Program is intended to promote mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by educational and cultural exchanges. In particular, the exchange of professors and research scholars is intended to promote the exchange of ideas, research, mutual enrichment and linkages between research and academic institutions in the United States and foreign countries. The main purpose of the Exchange Visitor Program is to foster global understanding through educational and cultural exchanges. All exchange visitors are expected to return to their home country upon completion of their program in order to share their exchange experiences. 

*Please note that requests to use third parties and/or outside host organizations must be made separately and submitted six to eight months in advance of the proposed visit and are NOT guaranteed approval.

Participant Eligibility:

In addition to meeting the general eligibility requirements for all exchange visitors, and the 3-week minimum program duration, a participant must meet the following additional conditions to be eligible to participate as a J Student Intern: 

  • Be currently enrolled in and pursuing a degree at an accredited post-secondary academic institution outside the United States

  • The U.S. internship must fulfill the educational objectives for his or her current degree program at his or her home institution

  • Have verifiable English language skills sufficient to function on a day-to-day basis in the internship environment

  • 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 post-secondary accredited academic institution listed on his or her form DS-2019 

  • Be in good academic standing at his or her home institution outside the United States

  • The student must return to his or 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 or herself and dependents for their entire stay in the United States, including housing and living expenses 

Please submit documents at least 3 months in advance of planned visit.

Program Requirements

The internship activity secured for the participant must conform to these requirements and prohibitions: 

Duration

  • The internship must be full-time (at least 32 hours per week)
  • Student interns may participate in a student internship for up to 12 month. Extensions beyond 12 months are not possible 
  • Like most exchange visitor programs, the student intern program must be for a minimum of three weeks duration

Focus and Nature of Activity

  • The internship does not have to be in the student's field of study, but it does have to fulfill the educational objectives for his or her current degree program at his or her home institution
  • All tasks assigned must be necessary for the completion of the student internship program
  • A student may participate in an internship with or without wages or other compensation
  • The internship tasks may consist of no more than 20 percent clerical work
  • The internship must expose the participant to American techniques, methodologies, and technology, expand upon the participant's existing knowledge and skills, and not duplicate the student intern's prior experience
  • Internships cannot place a student intern in any position that involves the following: Unskilled or casual labor; child care or elder care; aviation; clinical positions or engaging in any other kind of work that involves patient care or contact, including work that would require student interns to provide therapy, medication, or other clinical or medical care (e.g., sports or physical therapy, psychological counseling, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, social work, speech therapy, or early childhood education). 

 Internship Definition

  • Internship cannot serve to fill a labor need
  • Internship must exist solely to assist the student intern in achieving the objectives of his or her participation in a student internship program
  • Internship must consist of work-based learning, rather than ordinary employment or unskilled labor
  • Internship should not involve in any way a staffing/employment agency

Form Instructions

Please submit documents at least 3 months in advance of planned visit. Follow the instructions below to complete each required form:

To Be Completed Pre-Approval/Arrival

  • J-1 Student Intern - Request Form 2024
    • To be completed by hosting faculty/department
    • Faculty host is responsible for obtaining the chair, dean, and DFO’s signatures once the entire packet is complete. The Office of Faculty Affairs will obtain the remaining signatures.
  • Fillable TIPP DS-7002 Form
    • Section 1, 2, and section 4 to be completed by the faculty host/department.
    • Section 3(Trainee/Intern -) to be completed by the Student Intern, ensuring the signature is secured by the department.
    • Section 3(Sponsor-) will be completed by Faculty Affairs upon receipt of the department/college approved J-1 Student Intern request packet.
  • J-1 Student Intern - Student Forms 2024
    • Student Intern to complete this form, including section to be completed by the Student Intern’s home institution

To Be Completed During or at Conclusion of Program

  • J-1 Student Intern - Evaluation Form
    • If the program will be less than 6 months in length, then evaluation must be completed at the conclusion of the program.
    • If the program will be more than 6 months, then an evaluation must be completed at midpoint of the program, as well as at the conclusion. *Please note: this program can only be up to 12 months. No extension is allowed.
  • J-1 Student Intern - Departure Form
    • This form must be completed the last day of the intern’s program, and then submitted to Faculty Affairs.

Pre-Approval and Arrival Forms

The request forms below require completion by different parties. Please follow the instructions from the section above. 

To Be Completed Pre-Approval and Arrival 

Forms: 

Evaluation and Departure Forms

The following forms must be completed during or at the conclusion of the program depending on the duration of the participant's appointment. 

J-1 Student Intern Evaluation Form E

  • If the program will be less than 6 months in length, then evaluation must be completed at the conclusion of the program
  • If the program will be more than 6 months, then an evaluation must be completed at midpoint of the program, as well as at the conclusion

J-1 Student Intern Departure Form D

  • This form must be completed the last day of the intern's program

Both forms must be completed, printed and sent directly to Ashley Thompson at ashley.thompson@csun.edu

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