J1 Intern USA Visa Program
Gain Real-World Skills in America
J1 Visa/ BridgeUSA Programme
About the J1 Intern visa
Apply for the J1 Visa Programme and immerse yourself in a transformative experience that combines professional growth with cultural exchange.
Spend up to 12 months at a U.S. company, where you'll gain invaluable skills, forge essential business connections, and develop friendships that last a lifetime. Participate in a journey that goes beyond traditional internships, giving you a firsthand taste of American workplace culture.
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Applications are open year-round, enabling candidates to apply at their convenience. With the ability to start at any time, students can begin their studies to align with their personal and professional goals.
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Applicants must be at least 18 years of age.
Applicants must be currently enrolled in a full-time university level course.
Alternatively, applicants may be within 12 months of completing their studies at the time they plan to start the internship.
The internship must directly relate to the applicant's field of studies at university.
If you’re not eligible for Internship USA (for example if you are more than 12 months out of university or do not have a degree/ professional level qualification, you may be eligible for our Career Training/ J1 Trainee Programme
Please note we are unable to accept applications from anyone who has a criminal record.
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The Fees depend on the amount of time you plan on being in the USA - you can see full details on our Costs page
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We have a separate programme for applicants looking to secure a placement. This is called Placement Plus and details can be found here
Did You Know?
Graduates with international experience are significantly more likely to be in full time employment within 12 months of graduating - and can expect to earn higher salaries
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If you are a full time student at university level and currently attending class, you should be eligible for an internship in the USA.
*Please note the US government does not consider distance learning or online classes to be a full time course.
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If you are not on a full time university course, the minimum requirement for eligibility for a J1 Intern category visa is HNC or equivalent - but only if you are already accepted and enrolled on a full time university level course to commence the following year.
The preferred minimum from the US Department of State is HND level or BTEC Professional Award Level 5.
Please note your course must be full time and your university or institution must confirm this in writing as part of the application process.
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Your Host Organisation (US employer) must provide structured and practical training while abiding by some key program regulations.
J1 Participants are NOT allowed to work in a Home based office (i.e. a residential location).
The Host Organisation should ensure that the DS-7002 Training Plan is followed for the duration of the programme.
There must be a match between your educational background and the internship.
Upon completion of the programme, you should plan to return to your home country.
The programme is not intended to help organisations fill staffing needs.
The training plan should reflect an understanding of what you will be learning, not only the needs of the business.
Your US Host Organisation must have Workers Compensation (or equivalent) insurance that will cover you for the time you are with their organisation (exceptions apply - please contact us for details)
Any unskilled or clerical activity must be kept to a maximum of 20% of the entire training period.
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Even if you are planning on undertaking a short term unpaid internship experience in the USA you will need to apply for the Internship Programme. Under no circumstances are you allowed to use a Visa Waiver or tourist visa with the intention of undertaking any form of work placement - even unpaid.
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In order to enter the USA on a J1 Visa Programme you must have a passport that is valid for AT LEAST 3 months AFTER the end date of your internship or traineeship.
Please make sure your passport meets these requirements. If not your application will be subject to delays as your legal paperwork (the DS-2019) can NOT be issued without a passport that meets these criteria.
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The maximum time allowed by the US Government is 12 months at your US Host Company.
The minimum time you are allowed to do an internship is 1 month
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If your Host Company is very small or hasn’t hosted before they may require a Host Company Site visit 🔗
This will add some time to the process of getting the company registered and will cost an additional £245 on top of the standard programme fees
We are not allowed to accept applications from students who have recently completed/ will complete their A-levels. Under US Government guidelines, applicants must be in full time university level/ professional qualification studies at the time of application.
We are unable to offer sponsorship in the following areas:
Certain limited service/economy hotel properties
Most home offices
Programs in aviation/construction/building (where training is completed in those fields)
Fast food franchises
Single-location retailers or restaurants - unless 5* dining or equivalent
Spas
Gyms
How does it work/ The Process
Once you have secured your US Host Company, you will need to start your application.
Most of it is online, but you will need to upload certain documents to your application in order for us to be able to move forward.
We have comprehensive instructions on the process on our Apply Now page.
We strongly recommend applying at least 6 weeks before your intended departure date - potentially more in the busy months leading up to the summer.
Embassies can get extremely busy and wait times for interviews are much longer in these periods.
J1 Intern Fees - based on total number of months in the USA
All Fees are in UK Pounds
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Calculate your time in the USA
Enter the dates you'd like to be in the USA to show the total months you will need to pay for
J1 Investment Calculator
See how quickly your U.S. Program pays for itself.
*Includes agency fee. We automatically add the standard $405 Govt Fees (SEVIS + MRV).
Live Market Rate: 1 GBP = $1.27 USD
You will break even in approximately
*Local and State taxes are not included in this calculation as these differ depending on State.
Assuming a standard 12-month program, your gross earnings after covering all visa fees would be:
$5,595 (£4,405)