J-1 STUDENT INTERN PROGRAM
VIRGINIA POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTE AND STATE UNIVERSITY

J Exchange Visitor regulations have created a new "Student Intern" subcategory under the College and University Student category. Participation in the Student Intern subcategory will be open to foreign students currently enrolled and pursuing a degree at a postsecondary academic institution outside the United States. Student interns may participate in a student internship program for up to 12 months for each degree/major.

Overview of process:

1.  Participant and sponsoring department would be identified.  The sponsoring department would then contact Kim Beisecker at the Cranwell International Center  (kbeiseck@vt.edu   231-6527)
2. Prior to issuance of the DS2019 (immigration paperwork) the program and participant must complete the following documentation:
1. Form A Internship program requirements must be completed and signed.
2. Fee $40  Intern- check or money order-  Treasurer, VT    Department ISR –dept 0351  fund code 992368.
3. Form B  Participants eligibility must be completed and signed
4. Training/Internship Placement Plan must be completed and signed by Participant and Supervisor  http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/84240.pdf
5. Proof of “good academic standing” at the home institution outside of the US (letter on letterhead of foreign institution is sufficient)
6. Form C: Participant Information form
7. Proof of sufficient finances to support himself/herself for their entire stay in the United States, including housing, insurance and living expenses.
8. Intake form is completed and a copy of passport information page is attached.

1. Participant will be issued a program packet with the DS 2019.  This will be sent to the supervisor.
2. The supervisor must send this packet to the participant.
3. Participant will pay the SEVIS I901 ($200)

And apply at the US Embassy/Consulate in their country for an entrance visa (additional fee)

1. Participant will enter the US and be eligible to begin the program once the following obligations are met:
1. Report to the Cranwell International Center and attend Orientation Session
2. Show proof of insurance meeting the J-1 requirements

REMINDER:  THESE PARTICPANTS ARE INTERNS AND NOT CONSIDERED TO BE ENROLLED STUDENTS.  THEREFORE, THEY DO NOT HAVE ACCESS TO SERVICES USUALLY ASSOCIATED WITH VT STUDENTS INCLUDING REGISTRATION IN CLASSES, HOUSING IN RESIDENCE HALLS, USE OF STUDENT RECREATION FACILITIES, VT HEALTH INSURANCE, SCHIFFERT HEALTH CENTER/COOK COUNSELING CENTER SERVICES, ETC.

Financial Certification:

Financial certification needs to be presented prior to the issuance of the DS2019 and again at the Embassy when applying for the entrance visa.  Funding for a J-1 intern may come from various sources including financial support from Virginia Tech, foreign universities or agencies, or personal funds.

Regardless of the source of funds the minimum financial certification is as follows.  This should not be considered the actual amount that a specific intern will spend because lifestyles differ.  This financial requirement is established for immigration purposes only to ensure that the J-1 intern has sufficient funds to cover expenses while in the Blacksburg area.

Length of stay	Financial certification
1 month	$3170
2 months	$4840
3 months	$6510
4 months	$8180
5 months	$9850
6 months	$11520
7 months	$13190
8 months	$14860
9 months	$16530
10 months	$18200
11 months	$19870
12 months	$21540

 

Insurance Requirements:
Government regulations regarding health and accident insurance for all individuals holding J-1 visas are listed below.  We are required by Federal Regulation to assure that all J-1 visa holders are informed that they must maintain at least the insurance coverage listed below:

1.  Major Medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness.
2. Repatriation of remains to home country of $7,500
3. Medical evacuation of $10,000
4. Deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness

More information is available at the Cranwell International Center .

 

Housing
Interns should have an idea of where they are going to live prior to arriving in Blacksburg.  At certain times of year (Aug - Oct) it is especially difficult to locate any type of rental apartments or sublets. 
Interns staying for short periods of time may be faced with the request to sign a one-year lease.  The Cranwell International Center will assist with locating housing options but does not guarantee housing for interns.

 

ADDITIONAL  INFORMATION

If you need additional information or assistance, please feel free to contact Kim Beisecker at the Cranwell International Center   at 231-6527  or kbeiseck@vt.edu

The Cranwell International Center will provide you with the necessary immigration forms (DS 2019), information on the immigration process, a pre-departure packet to be sent to the intern, an emergency number in case of an unexpected problem,

We look forward to working with you to successfully bring J-1 interns onto our campus!

FORM A: PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS FOR HOSTING J-1 INTERNS

Interns Name:  ___________________________________

Supervisor’s Name: ________________________________   Dept:__________

Dept Contact Name: _____________________________  email __________

Expected dates of program: _________________________

Please initial each of the requirements on this checklist.

____                Internship consists of a minimum of 32 hours per week

____                Internship consists of no more than 20% clerical work

____                All tasks assigned must be “necessary for the completion of the student internship program.”

____                Internship does not displace “American workers”

____                Internship exists “solely to assist the student intern in achieving the objectives of his or her participation in a student internship program.”

____                Internship consists of “work-based learning”, rather than “ordinary employment or unskilled labor.”

____                If in the field of agriculture, the internship meets all of the requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act and the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act

____                The intern will be exposed to “American techniques, methodologies, and technology” to expand upon the intern’s existing knowledge and skills and “ not duplicate the intern’s prior experience.”

 

____                The internship does NOT involve:  Unskilled or casual labor; child or elder care; aviation; “clinical positions or engaging in any other kind of work that would require student interns to provide therapy, medication, or other clinical or medical care (e.g sports or physical therapy, psych counseling, nursing, dentistry, vet med, social work, speech therapy, or early childhood educ); or any “position, occupation, or business that could bring the intern or program into notoriety or disrepute.”

____                Internship does not involve in any way a “staffing or employment agency.”

____                A student may participate in an internship with or without wages or other compensation but to be employed must have the permission of the ARO at the Cranwell International Center and approval from the home institution.

____                The internship does not have to be in the student’s field of study, but it does have to “fulfill the educational objectives of his or her current degree program at his or her home institution.

____                Interns may participate in the internship program for no more than 12 months.

____                The department must develop procedures for evaluating all interns and must retain these evaluations for at least three years following the completion of the  intern’s program.  All programs must have a concluding evaluation and programs lasting more than six months must also complete a midpoint evaluation. 

____                Departments must be willing to have the interns participate in an orientation and concluding interview at the Cranwell International Center.

____                Department has assured that form DS 7002 is completed, signed, and a copy attached.  It is available at: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/84240.pdf

Signature of:
Internship Supervisor      ________________________      Date _______

Department Head            ________________________      Date ________

FORM  B:  PARTICIPANT ELIGIBILITY

Intern Name:  ___________________________________

Supervisor’s Name: ________________________________  

Expected dates of program: _________________________

Please initial each of the requirements once you have established them to be true.

____              Intern is currently “enrolled in and pursuing a degree at an accredited postsecondary academic institution outside of the United States” and is in good standing. ( A letter from the academic institution on letterhead must accompany this request.)     

____              The internship must “fulfill the educational objectives of his or her current degree program at his or her home institution.”

____                The intern has “verifiable English language skills sufficient to function on a day to day basis in the internship environment.”
  How did you make this determination (ie test score, interview,etc):
 ____________________________________________

____                The intern is “primarily in the United States to engage in a student internship
program rather than to engage in employment or provide services to an employer.”

____                The intern has been accepted into a student internship program in your Department.    Department name:  _______________________________

____                To the best of my knowledge the he intern will return to his or her academic program outside of the US and “fulfill and obtain a degree from that academic institution after completion of the student internship program.” 

____                The department/program will provide the following. Please give details including dollar amounts.  Please write “none” if you are not providing these items.

                        Financial assistance/compensation: ___________________________________

                        Housing assistance:  _______________________________________________

                        Transportation costs: _______________________________________________

                        Airport transportation: _____________________________________________

                        Other: __________________________________________________________
                       
                        CIC fee ($40) ; ___________________________________________________

                        *****The intern will be expected to provide any additional expenses not covered by the department/program. 

 

Supervisor’s Signature    ________________________________   Date: ______________

Dept Head’s Signature   ________________________________    Date: _____________

                       

FORM C:  PARTICPANT INFORMATION
(To be completed by individual applying for J-1 internship program)
(Please type or print clearly)
PERSONAL INFORMATION: 
(You must include a copy of the identification page of your passport)

NAME AS IT APPEARS ON YOUR PASSPORT: FAMILY NAME  _______________________

GIVEN/ FIRST/ MIDDLE NAMES ________________________________________

DATE OF BIRTH:    Month:  _______    Day   ______   Year  ______

CITY AND COUNTRY OF BIRTH:  ________________________________________________

COUNTRY OF CITIZENSHIP:  ___________________________________________________

COUNTRY OF LEGAL RESIDENCE: _______________________________________________

ADDRESS IN YOUR HOME COUNTRY: ___________________________________________
 __________________________________________________________________________

EMAIL:  _________________________    TELEPHONE:  _______________________________

GENDER (male or female) :  ____________

ACADEMIC INSTITUTION IN WHICH YOU ARE STUDYING OUTSIDE OF THE UNITED STATES:
(You must include a formal letter from your school stating that you are enrolled and in good academic standing)

NAME OF SCHOOL:  ________________________________________________________

ADDRESS OF SCHOOL:  ______________________________________________________

MAJOR AREA IN WHICH YOU ARE STUDYING:  ___________________________________

SPECIFIC FIELD OF STUDY IN HOME UNIVERSITY: _________________________________

LEVEL OF STUDY:   UNDERGRADUATE( Bachelor)              GRADUATE (Masters or PhD)

WHAT IS YOUR EXPECTED GRADUATION DATE:    _________________________________

 

FINANCIAL CERTIFICATION
The J-1 program requires that you have sufficient funds to cover your stay in the United States.  This is not necessarily the amount it will cost you because all individuals live different lifestyles; however, this is a general guideline and has been established for immigration purposes to ensure that you have sufficient funds to cover living expenses in the Blacksburg area.

Wages being provided by Virginia Tech    _________________________________

Other compensation from Virginia Tech  _______________________________

Financial assistance provided through your government   ________________________
 or your academic institutions:                _______________________________________
  (letter must be attached showing the source and amount)

Personal or family funds:    ______________________________________________________
(You must include a bank statement as proof of financial ability)

TOTAL:    __________________________

The total must equal or exceed:

Length of stay	Financial certification
1 month	$3170
2 months	$4840
3 months	$6510
4 months	$8180
5 months	$9850
6 months	$11520
7 months	$13190
8 months	$14860
9 months	$16530
10 months	$18200
11 months	$19870
12 months	$21540

INSURANCE:  You will be required to purchase insurance for the entire length of your stay which meets the following requirements: 

1. Major Medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness.
2. Repatriation of remains to home country of $7,500
3. Medical evacuation of $10,000
4. Deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness

 

You must attached proof of coverage or purchase immediately upon arrival in the United States.

 

 

PLEASE ANSWER “YES” OR “NO” TO THE FOLLOWING QUESTIONS:

______  Is the purpose of your  coming to the United States  primarily to  engage in the student internship program rather than to engage in employment or provide services to an employer?

_____  Do you plan to return to your academic program outside of the United States to fulfill and obtain a degree from your home institution listed above after completion of this internship program.

_____  Have your previously studied in the United States?  If yes-   Where? And When?

_____   I understand I am not being enrolled as a student at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University, am not allowed to enroll in classes, and do not have access to services normally reserved for students (including on-campus housing).

 

 

 

SIGNATURE OF APPLICANT:  ____________________________________________

DATE:   _______________________

 

If you need any assistance or have questions, please feel free to contact Kim Beisecker at kbeiseck@vt.edu.

 

INTAKE FORM:  J-1 INTERN CATEGORY

 

Name of Intern:  Last/Family_________________________
                             First/given  _________________________

Name of Supervisor:             __________________________
          Email:  ___________________   phone:  ____________
          Mailing address:  _______________________________

Department:                          __________________________
Name of Department head: __________________________

Dates of program:   start ______________   end ___________

Checklist:

1.  Checklist A: Program Requirements (complete and signed)
2. Checklist B:  Participant’s Eligibility (complete and signed)
3. Training/Internship Placement Plan (complete and signed) http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/84240.pdf
4. Letter of “good standing” from institution outside US
5. Information page completed by participant
6. Financial certification
7. Copy of Passport page
8. $40 payment

Select Your Search Criteria

VT Web VT People

Enter your search here

• Virginia Tech Home
• Divison of Student Affairs
• University Unions & Student Activities