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
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- 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
- You are required to take one of the following tests for admissions purposes if you do not meet an exemption:
- For incoming Exchange Students whose native language is not English:
- 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.
- Verify the prospective student intern’s eligibility
- 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.
- A completed application and acknowledgment from the faculty sponsor/supervisor and the department director/chair.
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
- Documentation guidelines detailed on the J-1 health insurance page:
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.