The U.S. J-1 Intern & Trainee Program provides international students, recent graduates and qualified young professionals with the opportunity to gain practical experience and professional training in the United States.

Through a structured training or internship programme, participants can experience the U.S. workplace, develop professional skills, improve their English communication and gain international exposure in their field of study or professional background.

The programme is part of the U.S. Department of State’s BridgeUSA Exchange Visitor Program, which promotes educational and cultural exchange between the United States and participants from around the world.

What is the J-1 Intern & Trainee Program?

The J-1 Intern and Trainee categories are designed to provide international participants with structured, field-specific practical experience in the United States.

The Intern category is available to eligible foreign university or college students and recent graduates. The Trainee category is designed for qualified professionals who meet the relevant education and work-experience requirements.

Unlike ordinary employment, J-1 Intern and Trainee programmes are structured around professional development and practical training in the participant’s occupational field. Training must follow an approved training plan and include appropriate supervision and professional development.

Participants can gain experience in real U.S. workplaces while developing knowledge, skills and professional competencies related to their academic or professional background.

Intern or Trainee?

J-1 Intern

The J-1 Intern category is designed for international students who are currently enrolled in a degree or certificate programme at a post-secondary institution outside the United States, as well as eligible graduates who completed their degree or certificate no more than 12 months before the programme start date.

The programme allows participants to gain structured practical experience in their chosen occupational field and connect their academic studies with professional experience in the United States.

J-1 Trainee

The J-1 Trainee category is designed for qualified international professionals seeking structured training in their occupational field.

Under U.S. Department of State requirements, trainees generally need either a degree or professional certificate from a foreign post-secondary institution plus at least one year of related work experience outside the United States, or five years of related work experience outside the United States.

Trainee programmes are designed to enhance professional skills and expertise through structured and guided training.

Available Professional Fields

The U.S. Department of State recognizes a broad range of occupational categories for Intern and Trainee programmes, including hospitality, business, finance, communications, technology, engineering and other professional fields.

• Hospitality & Tourism

• Opportunities may include:

• Hotel Operations

• Front Office

• Guest Services

• Food & Beverage

• Restaurant Operations

• Hospitality Management

• Tourism Management

• Event Management

• Resort Operations

• Revenue Management

• Sales & Marketing

Hospitality and tourism remains one of the established occupational categories within the J-1 Intern and Trainee programme.

Business & Management

Business-related opportunities can cover a wide range of professional functions, including:

• Business Management

• Business Development

• Operations

• Sales

• Customer Relations

• Administration

• Project Management

• Management Training

• International Business

These positions can provide practical exposure to business operations and professional practices in the U.S. market.

Marketing & Communications

Participants with backgrounds in Marketing, Communications, Media or related fields may find opportunities in areas such as:

• Digital Marketing

• Marketing Communications

• Social Media

• Brand Marketing

• Content Creation

• Public Relations

• Advertising

• Customer Engagement

• Market Research

The U.S. Department of State includes Information Media and Communications among the occupational categories available for J-1 Intern and Trainee programmes.

Finance, Accounting & Commerce

For students and professionals with a background in finance, accounting, commerce or related business disciplines, training opportunities may include:

• Accounting

• Finance

• Financial Analysis

• Business Analysis

• Banking-related functions

• Corporate Finance

• Audit

• Tax-related functions

• Financial Operations

Management, Business, Commerce and Finance are recognized occupational categories under the J-1 Intern and Trainee programme.

Information Technology & Computer Science

J-1 opportunities can also extend to technology-related professional fields.

• Potential areas include:

• Information Technology

• Software Development

• Web Development

• Data Analytics

• Information Systems

• IT Support

• Computer Science

• Software Engineering

• Technology Operations

• Digital Solutions

Technology and STEM-related fields can be included within the relevant J-1 occupational categories, subject to programme and sponsor requirements.

Engineering & STEM

Eligible opportunities can also extend to professional and technical fields such as:

• Engineering

• Architecture

• Mathematics

• Science

• Industrial Occupations

• Engineering Technology

• Technical Operations

The U.S. Department of State lists Sciences, Engineering, Architecture, Mathematics and Industrial Occupations among the occupational categories available for J-1 Intern and Trainee programmes.

Other Professional Fields

Depending on the programme structure, participant background and sponsor requirements, J-1 Intern and Trainee opportunities may also be available in areas such as:

• Education

• Social Sciences

• Arts & Culture

• Public Administration

• Law

• Agriculture

• Forestry

• Fishing

• Construction and Building Trades

The available field must correspond to an approved occupational category and the participant’s qualifications and training plan.

What the Program Offers

• Professional Experience

Gain hands-on experience in a real U.S. workplace and develop practical skills related to your academic or professional background.

• International Exposure

Experience American workplace culture, professional communication and business practices while working with colleagues from different backgrounds.

• Structured Training

J-1 Intern and Trainee programmes are structured around defined training objectives, supervision and professional development rather than ordinary employment.

• English in a Professional Environment

Use English in real workplace situations, including communication with colleagues, supervisors, customers and business partners.

• Cultural Exchange

The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program combines professional, educational and cultural exchange, allowing participants to experience life and culture in the United States alongside their professional training.

Experience Life in the United States

A J-1 programme is more than professional training.

Participants have the opportunity to experience the United States beyond the workplace — living in an American community, communicating with people from different cultures and exploring cities, businesses and local communities across the country.

Depending on the placement, participants may be based in major U.S. destinations such as:

Los Angeles · Chicago · New York · Miami · Houston · Orlando · Las Vegas · San Francisco · Washington, D.C.

The actual location depends on the available training position and host organisation.

From Your Background to a U.S. Career Experience

STEP 01

Academic or Professional Background

Your education and professional experience determine the relevant J-1 category and occupational field.

STEP 02

Professional Placement

Find a suitable internship or training opportunity aligned with your background and programme requirements.

STEP 03

J-1 Exchange Programme

Participate in structured professional training in the United States under the applicable J-1 programme category.

STEP 04

International Experience

Build practical skills, professional connections and international workplace experience.

Important Programme Information

J-1 Intern and Trainee programmes are subject to U.S. Department of State regulations and the requirements of the designated programme sponsor.

Participants must meet the eligibility requirements of the relevant J-1 category, including applicable education, work experience and English-language requirements.

All participants must also meet the applicable insurance requirements.

For J-1 Intern and Trainee visa applications, participants generally require a Form DS-2019 issued through the programme sponsor and a Training/Internship Placement Plan (Form DS-7002), in addition to the other documents required for the J-1 visa application.

Programme availability, placement location, position, duration and compensation vary according to the host organisation, occupational field and individual programme arrangement.