ist plus {career training usa}
ist plus {career training usa}
ist plus {career training usa}
Anywhere on this page you can pull up this menu for easy access - just hit on the help icon at the bottom right of your screen!
Get started on your application
Try to get your application in as early as possible!
Once you have successfully submitted your application for a J1 Visa Programme the process of gaining the legal sponsorship begins.
There are various stages to this - each is extremely important. Please note that at all times we must adhere to US government regulations governing the programme.
This page will guide you through the process of applying for your J1 visa to the USA. Please take the time to read through it carefully - and bookmark it so you can refer back to it during the application process!
If you have previously completed a J1 Intern or J1 Trainee Program, please see our guide on Repeater Rules!
What Happens Next?
Once you've registered on this page, our team will set you up in the system with a CIEE Beacon Account. You'll receive a welcome email from donotreply@ciee.org with your log in details!
Please make sure you refer back to this page throughout the application process as there are no instructions on the actual application!
Contacting our Team
Please note our team will not be able to respond to enquiries or update requests made via telephone during the process.
In order to ensure the security of your personal data and travel arrangements we will only be able to respond to these requests via email from the email address registered on your account.
Under no circumstances will we be able to discuss your application via email or other method with anyone other than you.
Inviting your US Supervisor to complete your online training plan
Click through the slideshow below for instructions on inviting your US Supervisor and Host Company
| To invite your US Supervisor you will need: |
|---|
| The Full name of your US Host Company |
| Your US Host Company Supervisor Name |
| Their position at the US Host Company |
| Their contact email and telephone number |
| The address of your US Host Company |
| Your intended internship/ traineeship dates |
What Happens Next?
- We will check your entry and submit to CIEE
- Your US Supervisor will be sent a questionnaire by CIEE via email link
- They will then complete and submit this
- CIEE will review and then ask them to complete a Host Profile
- Once this has been completed, CIEE will review and make sure everything is ready to move forward
- CIEE will then unlock the training plan for your US Supervisor to complete
- Once your US Supervisor has completed the training plan, you will be notified via email from donotreply@ciee.org
Contacting our Team
Please note our team will not be able to respond to enquiries or update requests made via telephone during the process.
In order to ensure the security of your personal data and travel arrangements we will only be able to respond to these requests via email from the email address registered on your account.
Under no circumstances will we be able to discuss your application via email or other method with anyone other than you.
Adding Your Profile Picture to your Application
To do this, please click on the grey profile picture box at the top of your BEACON application - you will then be able to upload a suitable picture.
*Please make sure this image is less than 1mb in size
A Step by Step Guide to the Online Application
Inviting your US Supervisor
This should be the first thing you do as part of the application process.
If you haven't yet done this please refer to our instructions earlier on this page.
It is VITAL you email our team to confirm when you have completed this step.
Upload your PROFILE picture to your online account
Adding Your Profile Picture to your Application
To do this, please click on the grey profile picture box at the top of your BEACON application - you will then be able to upload a suitable picture.
*Please make sure this image is less than 1mb in size
PERSONAL INFORMATION
In this section you need to check your name and details as they appear on your application, and enter nationality details as per your passport.
You will also need ton upload an image of your passport ID page. Please make sure this is clear and all parts can be read
CONTACT INFORMATION
In this section you will enter your contact details, including your home address and details of someone we can contact if there is an emergency in the USA.
If your mailing address (where you will want your legal paperwork sent to) is different to your home address you should also enter this information here.
DEPENDENTS
Interns are not allowed to bring family members on this programme, so please just tick the No box, save and move onto the next step
EDUCATION
If you are currently in full time study, please enter the details of your university/ college (there's a search function but you can also add these manually).
If you have recently graduated, please follow the steps and upload your confirmation of award.
Please note any uploaded documents must be either pdf or jpeg - word docs will are not allowed.
WORK EXPERIENCE
If you have any work experience, please enter this here.
If not, please just hit No and move to the next step
PREVIOUS VISA INFORMATION
- If you have previously been to the US on a J1 visa programme, you will need to enter some details here
- If you have been denied entry into the USA, please contact our team
- The question "Have you ever applied for a visa to immigrate to the U.S.?" only applies if you have applied to permanently move to the USA. If does not apply if you have receive a previous J1 or other short term visa
- If you have previously been refused a visa by the US Embassy, please contact our team for advice with information on the refusal (dates/ reason given)
- If you have been arrested and/ or convicted of a crime in your home country, please contact our team before moving forward with the application
- If you have been arrested and/ or convicted of a crime in the USA, please contact our team before moving forward with the application
PERSONAL STATEMENT
Please answer all questions, sign the Applicant Declaration of Intent and tick the box confirming you have read and understood this
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
STIPEND REFERS TO YOUR SALARY IN THE USA.
If you are being paid more than $1500/ month for your internship, please tick this box
- If your internship is unpaid, or you will be receiving less than $1500, please provide either a bank statement confirming funds to cover you while you are in the USA, OR:
- you will need to download the Guaranto Letter Template.pdf from the DOCUMENTS section of your online application. Please have a parent or guardian complete this.
- You will then need to upload this to the DOCUMENTS section of your online application
ENGLISH ABILITY
If your passport is issued by a country where English is a recognised Native Language, please tick Yes.
If your passport is issued by any other country (even if you are fluent), please check one of the other options.
*The CIEE English Language Ability Form is available either on this webpage (see Supporting Documents) or from the DOCUMENTS section of your CIEE application.
HEALTH INFORMATION
Please enter all information to the best of your ability.
*Pre-existing conditions are not covered by the CIEE insurance policy. If you require regular medication, you will need to cover the costs for this yourself. It may be possible to organise this from your home country but please speak with your medical provider/ doctor.
HIPAA RELEASE FORM
All participants must sign this.
What to upload into your DOCUMENTS section
In the DOCUMENTS section of your online application you should make sure you have uploaded the following items:
|
Your Fees Disclosure - this should have your full name at the top and should be signed (using your real signature) and dated.
This is required for ALL applications regardless of who is paying your fees |
You can download your Fees Disclosure from the Required Supporting Documents section on this page - or using the button below.
This will open a new tab where you can complete the online Fees Disclosure. You will then be able to download a copy (a PODF will also automatically be emailed to you).
You will need to upload this into the DOCUMENTS section of your online account.
Signing your Online Training Plan (DS-7002)
Once your online training plan has been completed and signed by your US Host Company, you will receive an email from the system notifying you.
BEFORE you sign, you must make sure you enter the PROGRAM DATES.
This will be the earliest date you want to be covered by insurance to enter the USA and the last date you wish to be in the US.
*Please note: You can only apply to arrive up to 30 days prior to your official Intern start date - and you may only remain in the US up to a maximum 30 days After your internship end date
You must make sure these are entered into your online training plan before you sign! Without these dates we are unable to review or start the process for you.
- Your PROGRAM START DATE MUST BE ON OR BEFORE THE DS START DATE PROVIDED BY YOUR HOST ORGANISATION.
- Your PROGRAMME END DATE MUST BE AFTER YOUR TRAINING END DATE or we will not be able to submit your application.
*It's very important you choose the total dates you want to be in the USA . Once you have been approved and legal documents printed and shipped from the US, there will be a charge of at least £50 + any additional month charge for any changes.
- VERY IMPORTANT: You will not be able to change the dates you provide as PROGRAM DATES once you have travelled to the USA on the program, and will only be covered by insurance for the dates you provide at the time of application.
Please think carefully about the time you wish to be allowed to be in the United States outside the actual dates of your internship.
COMPLETE? WHAT NOW?
Once all parts of your application are complete - including all supporting documents uploaded to the DOCUMENTS section of the application, you can sign off at the top of the page.
If your online training plan has also been completed (including your PROGRAM DATES) and signed by both your US Host Supervisor and you, please then email our team to confirm you are ready to move forward with the process
Signing your Online Training Plan (DS7002 Form)
Once your online training plan has been completed and signed by your US Host Company, you will receive an email from the system notifying you.
BEFORE you sign, you must make sure you enter the PROGRAM DATES.
This will be the earliest date you want to be covered by insurance to enter the USA and the last date you wish to be in the US.
*Please note: You can only apply to arrive up to 30 days prior to your official Intern start date - and you may only remain in the US up to a maximum 30 days After your internship end date
You must make sure these are entered into your online training plan before you sign! Without these dates we are unable to review or start the process for you.
- Your PROGRAM START DATE MUST BE ON OR BEFORE THE DS START DATE PROVIDED BY YOUR HOST ORGANISATION.
- Your PROGRAMME END DATE MUST BE AFTER YOUR TRAINING END DATE or we will not be able to submit your application.
*It's very important you choose the total dates you want to be in the USA . Once you have been approved and legal documents printed and shipped from the US, there will be a charge of at least £50 + any additional month charge for any changes.
- VERY IMPORTANT: You will not be able to change the dates you provide as PROGRAM DATES once you have travelled to the USA on the program, and will only be covered by insurance for the dates you provide at the time of application.
Please think carefully about the time you wish to be allowed to be in the United States outside the actual dates of your internship.
Make Sure you Sign YOUR part of the Application!
When your online training plan has been completed and signed by both your host Company and you, you should make sure your application is complete (including those all important supporting documents!).
Then please sign this part as well. You'll need to email our team at apply@istplus.com to let us know you're happy to move ahead before we start the review process!
Our team will not review or move forward with an application unless we have confirmation from you via email your application is complete and is ready to move ahead.
Contacting our Team
Please note our team will not be able to respond to enquiries or update requests made via telephone during the process.
In order to ensure the security of your personal data and travel arrangements we will only be able to respond to these requests via email from the email address registered on your account.
Under no circumstances will we be able to discuss your application via email or other method with anyone other than you.
The Process - How long does it take?
Once you have emailed our team to confirm you are ready to move forward with the application, we will email you a payment request.
Once this payment has been made, we will be able to submit your completed application to our colleagues in the USA for processing.
Below is an outline of the process - each application is assessed individually however, so timelines and processes vary
We strongly recommend allowing a minimum 6 weeks for this - and significantly more in the busy periods of the year such as the months leading up to June.
Embassies are much busier during these times, and wait times for interviews will be much longer!
1: Application Complete
Once both parts of your application are complete (your part and your online training plan), please email our team at apply@istplus.com to confirm.
We will then review your application and let you know if anything needs to be revised/ is missing.
Our team will not review or check your application until you have confirmed you have completed this and are ready to move forward with the process.
2: Payment Request
Our team will email you a Payment Request. Once we have confirmation this has been paid, we will submit your application to our colleagues in the USA for the process to start
3: CIEE Review
Your application will show as UNDER REVIEW. CIEE will work with your Host Company to approve your application. You must check your email regularly during this process as this will be how we contact you should we require further information. In some cases, CIEE may ask your Host Company to revise your training plan to being it into line with US Government requirements.
4: Approval
Once approval has been granted (this may take up to 4 weeks), your status on your application will change to ACCEPTED. Within 2-3 working days (not including weekends) of this you will be able to see your SEVIS ID at the top of your online account page. THIS IS SHOWN AS SEVIS ID/ DS-2019 NUMBER.
You will also receive an email from CIEE with specific instructions on how to download this and your SEVIS RECEIPT.
Using these details you can complete the DS-160 form - see our US Embassy Interviews page
5: Book your Interview/ Receive your Paperwork
Having completed your DS-160 you can move on to booking your face to face interview at the US Embassy. Please note you will need your legal documents in order to attend this (these normally take 5 working days to arrive after your DS-2019# shows in your online account (see Step 4).
*Please bear this in mind when booking your interview date*
6: Attend your Visa Interview
At your face to face interview at your local Embassy or Consulate, you will be required to answer some questions about your trining plan, your plans for when you return home and other details.
You will also be required to provide biometric data (fingerprints).
7: After the Interview
When your passport and visa are returned to you by the US Embassy, you are free to book your flights and travel to the US on or after the date listed as Program Start Date on your Documents and online Training Plan
8: Arriving in the USA
You will need to register in SEVIS and also provide contact tracing information to immigration authorities upon entry to the United States