USA Internship Program

Eligibility and Requirements

Host Company Requirements

Host companies are expected to provide J-1 interns with meaningful training experiences that enhance their professional skills while providing insight into American business practices and culture. All companies must have a suitable workspace for the intern equipped with the necessary tools for the work involved and should also support and supervise the intern throughout the training program.

Host companies must offer an internship program in one of these fields

• Arts and Culture
• Business, Management, Commerce, and Finance
• The Sciences, Mathematics, Architecture, and Industrial Occupations
• Information, Media, and Communications

Host companies involved in the following industries may not work with J-1 interns through CDS

• Economy hotels (lower than three star/diamond rating)
• Fast food franchises
• Recruiting agencies
• Home offices
• Single location retail shops

Candidate Requirements

CDS is authorized to sponsor the J-1 visa in either the Intern or Trainee categories.

J-1 Intern requirements

J-1 Intern Requirements

Age	18 to 35 Years Old
Language	Proficiency in English
Education Level / Employment History	Current enrollment in a post-secondary academic institution outside the U.S. and studying in a field related to their internship	or	Have graduated from such an institution no more than 12 months prior to desired internship start date.
Duration	Internship programs may last from 6 weeks to 12 months. Interns may complete additional internship programs as long as all requirements continue to be met and 90 days have elapsed between programs.

J-1 Trainee requirements

J-1 Trainee Requirements

Age	19 to 35 Years Old
Language	Proficiency in English
Education Level / Employment History	A degree or professional certificate from a foreign post-secondary academic institution and at least one year of prior related work experience outside the U.S.	or	Five years of work experience outside the U.S. in the desired training field.
Duration	Training programs may last from 6 weeks to 18 months. Trainees may complete additional J-1 training programs in the U.S. as long as all requirements continue to be met and at least two years of residency outside the U.S. follow the initial training program.

» Learn more about the J-1 visa