J-1 Student Intern Program

Overview:

• The J-1 Student Intern program is a work-based learning program.
• It is for students currently enrolled in a degree program outside the U.S.
• It provides training in U.S. research and professional practices.
• The internship must:
  • Support the student’s degree requirements at their home institution
  • Be full-time (minimum 32 hours per week)
  • Be focused on training, not regular employment
• Wages or other compensation is optional.

Important Clarification:

• The J-1 Student Intern program is different to J-1 students who are enrolled full-time in a program of study.
• Student Interns:
  • Study at a foreign university
  • Visit UTRGV to participate in a research/training-based internship required to complete their degree program at their home institution.

Planning Timeline:

• Any department wishing to host a J-1 Student Intern should consult ISS 4-5 months prior to the anticipated start date.
• ISS will not issue a DS-2019 less than 2 months before the program start date. 

Eligibility Criteria:

Student Must:

• Have strong English skills for an internship environment
  • For incoming Exchange Students whose native language is not English:
    • You are required to take one of the following tests for admissions purposes if you do not meet an exemption:
      
      • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
        • The UTRGV school code for TOEFL is 7585. 
      • Duolingo English Test
      • IELTS Exam
    • The minimum scores for the tests are as follow:
      • TOEFL 61 (IBT, IBT Home or IBT Paper edition, IBT MyBest Scores), TOEFL Essentials 6.5 (Essentials, MyBest Scores)
      • Duolingo 95
      • IELTS 6
• Be enrolled in a degree program outside the U.S.
• Be in good academic standing
• Have an internship required for their degree
• Intend to return home after the internship
• Have enough financial support:
  • About $2,000 per month minimum
• Be in the U.S. only to complete the internship program at UTRGV
• Not graduate while in the U.S.
• Not have participated in another student intern program in the U.S. for more than 12 months
• Valid Passport with at least 6 months of validity after program start date
• Provide:
  • English transcript
  • Required insurance coverage (Must meet the J-1 Bridge Program Insurance Requirements)

Internship Must:

• Exist only to help student intern fulfill home university degree requirements.
• Consist of work-based learning and not skilled labor.
• Not include:
  • Unskilled labor, child or elder care, aviation, clinical work, or other patient care or contact.
  • Clinical activity limitation can be reviewed at the bottom of this page.
• Consist of no more than 20% clerical work.
• Be at least 3 weeks long and no longer than 12 months.
• Be full time, minimum 32 hours per week.
• Not repeat any of the student intern’s prior experience.
• Not be in any position that could bring notoriety or disrepute to the department, university, or student.
• Not displace U.S. workers.
• Not involve a staffing or employment agency in any way.

Application Process

 Step 1: Academic Department submit the J-1 Student Intern Request to ISS

• Once the student has an internship with a faculty member:
  • An administrator in the faculty member’s academic department must submit all required information into our Submittable application for review and processing.
  • Our normal processing time is 10 business days from receipt of a complete application. 
• The academic department must:
  • Verify the prospective student intern’s eligibility
    • Including current academic status and English language abilities. 
  • Confirm that the internship will consist of a minimum of 32 hours/week and no more than 20% clerical work. 
• The J-1 student Intern Application must include:
  • A completed application and acknowledgment from the faculty sponsor/supervisor and the department director/chair.
    • Complete the application via the J-1 Intern Department Request.
  • A completed student and home institution certification, 
  • An invitation letter from the Academic Department, or a copy of the signed Unpaid Intern Agreement/checklist.
    • If the Student Intern will receive any payment (such as a stipend) from UTRGV for the internship, the letter must indicate the amount and frequency of payment. 
  • A completed Form DS-7002 .
    • All responses must by typed (not handwritten), and signed by supervisor and student.
  • A copy of passport biographical page for student intern (and any accompanying dependents)
  • Proof of financial support
    • Student interns must demonstrate funding of at least $2,500/month for living expenses.  
    • If the funding is provided by a parent or other sponsor, that person must complete and sign a financial support agreement and submit a bank statement or other documentation.
    • All documentation must be in English and converted to USD$. 
  • $105 J-1 Exchange Visitor processing fee, paid by hosting department. 

Step 2: ISS Issues The Student Intern A DS-2019 And Signed DS-7002

• ISS reviews the application
• If approved:
  • We email the sponsoring department when the DS-2019 is ready. 

 Step 3: The Student Intern Receives The DS-2019 And Applies For A J-1 Visa

• The student intern must complete the steps outlined on the Pre-Arrival page.
• This information is also provided to them in an email with their J-1 sponsorship documents (DS-7002 and DS-2019).
• Steps include paying the SEVIS fee and obtaining a J-1 visa from the US Embassy/Consulate in their home country. 

 Step 4: The Student Intern Makes Plans To Enter The United States

• Student may enter up to 30 days before program start date
• Upon arrival:
  • Complete ISS arrival process
  • Upload proof of insurance
    • Documentation guidelines detailed on the J-1 health insurance page:
      • in the "J-1 Exchange Visitors and J-2 Dependents Not Receiving UTRGV Health Insurance" section

Department Responsibilities 

• Complete Form DS-7002 Training/Internship Program Plan:
  • Outlining skills, training, and cultural exchange to be performed by the Student Intern. 

Evaluation Schedule

• Evaluation(s) of the Student Intern placement is required by regulation.
• The Evaluation form must be sent to ISS upon completion.
• If the internship is 6 months or less:
  • One evaluation must be completed and submitted to ISS within 15 days of the internship’s end date. 
• If the internship is longer than 6 months:
  
  • One evaluation within 15 days of the program midpoint
  • And a second evaluation at the end of the internship are required. 
• Failure to complete the Student Intern evaluation(s):
  • May result in the department’s inability to host J-1 Student Interns in the future. 

Departure

• Student Intern and department sponsor must notify ISS of departure from the U.S. 

Clinical Restrictions

• J-1 Student Interns cannot do clinical or patient care work
• This includes:
  • Medical treatment
  • Therapy or medication work
  • Veterinary clinical care
• If a J-1 Student Intern is in clinical settings, ISS may require additional acknowledgment of the clinical restrictions.

Please get in touch with ISS with any questions, or for additional information.