J-1 Intern Program
The J-1 student intern program allows international students who are currently pursuing an undergraduate degree to receive hands-on experience in their chosen field in an internship not to exceed 12 months. Interested applicants must identify a Cornell academic department willing to host the internship and a faculty supervisor to act as the primary internship supervisor.
Eligibility
- Prospective J-1 student interns must currently be enrolled in undergraduate (bachelor's/baccalaureate) studies at a degree- or certificate-granting postsecondary academic institution outside the United States.
- The internship must fulfill the educational objectives of the prospective J-1 intern’s current undergraduate degree program. It must also expand upon the intern’s existing knowledge and skills and not duplicate prior experience.
J-1 Intern Process
We will assist departments and interns in producing the DS-2019 and paperwork required for an intern’s visa application and admittance to the United States. Prospective interns and outside organizations supporting interns must work directly with Cornell faculty and hiring departments to complete the necessary paperwork.
The following forms will be required: J-1 Student Intern Application (an only be initiated by the inviting department) and J-1 Student Intern Placement/Training Plan (DS-7002). Within 30 days of an intern's end date, both the intern and the faculty host must submit a J-1 Student Intern Evaluation.
Faculty and Department Responsibilities
Internship Plan
A J-1 Student Intern Placement/Training Plan (DS-7002) must be developed for the student and data needs to be collected for the DS-2019 form.
Intern Program Fee
Before a student’s DS-7002 and DS-2019 paperwork can be created, a $500 intern program fee must be paid, either via department charge or by the intern.
Financial Support
Financial support for the intern must be verified for the entire length of the stay. The minimum amount of financial support for an intern is $2,400 per month (Ithaca campus) and $3,000 per month (Cornell Tech campus). The internship may be paid or unpaid. If the department decides to pay an intern a salary or stipend, then approval is required from the student's home institution academic dean or advisor. The amount of financial support should be noted in the letter of invitation. If the internship will be unpaid, then the intern must submit evidence of financial support in the form of a bank statement or a sponsor letter that is no more than six months old.
Health Insurance
J-1 regulations require that all J-1 exchange visitors have a minimum level of health insurance for the duration of their stay in the United States. Interns may purchase any plan that provides the minimum level of coverage.
Language Proficiency
Cornell Appointment and Mentoring Support
Cornell policy requires that interns be given a paid or unpaid Cornell appointment. Interns must receive faculty supervision, mentorship, and other assistance.
Evaluation
U.S. Department of State regulations require a program evaluation for each J-1 student intern at the end of the internship. Internships that last longer than six months also require at least one additional evaluation midway through the program. Program Evaluations are initiated by the J-1 Student Intern and submitted through our MyStatus portal.
Important: Compliance is mandatory. Faculty hosts who fail to complete the mandatory evaluation within 30 days of an intern's end date will be prohibited from hosting new J-1 student interns until they have submitted overdue reports. Additionally, departments will be prohibited from hosting new J-1 student interns if any faculty members are more than 60 days overdue in the submission of a J-1 student intern evaluation.
