J-1 Student Interns
The J-1 student intern program gives international students currently pursuing undergraduate degrees outside the United States the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in their fields at Cornell. J-1 interns work alongside Cornell faculty members in internships that may extend up to 12 months.
J-1 student interns are "students" because they are enrolled at universities abroad. They are not admitted or enrolled as Cornell students. During their time at Cornell, J-1 student interns are considered scholars (staff)—whether they are paid or unpaid. J-1 student interns are a special category of J-1 exchange visitors, and the usual J-1 visa requirements apply.
Eligibility
- Prospective J-1 student interns must be currently 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 intern’s current undergraduate degree program. It must also expand upon the intern’s existing knowledge and skills and not duplicate prior experience.
- Interested applicants must identify a Cornell faculty member willing to act as the primary internship supervisor and an academic department willing to host the internship.
Graduate Students
The J-1 student intern program is for undergraduates only. If a prospective intern is enrolled in a graduate program abroad, invite the individual as an J-1 exchange visitor.
J-1 Intern Process
We will assist departments and interns in producing the DS-2019 and DS-7002 documents 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 departments to complete the necessary forms. The J-1 student intern application can only be initiated by the inviting department.
- Identify Mentor
- Initiate Request
- Pay Fee
- Submit Forms
- Receive Forms
- Apply for Visa
- Arrival
- Evaluate
1 Identify faculty mentor.
The prospective intern is responsible for identifying a Cornell faculty member and department willing to host the internship. In coordination with the prospective intern, the primary faculty supervisor develops a training plan for the internship.
2 Initiate J-1 intern request.
A department representative or authorized contact initiates the J-1 student intern request in myStatus. Access to the form requires pre-approval. Please contact us to request authorization.
3 Pay student intern fee.
The department or prospective intern must pay the $625 fee to International Services.
4 Submit required forms.
Both the department and prospective intern complete and submit the J-1 student intern application in myStatus.
5 Receive DS-2019 and DS-7002.
International Services processes the DS-2019 and DS-7002 forms and sends them to the department. The faculty mentor reviews and signs DS-7002, and the department sends both forms to the prospective intern.
6 Apply for J-1 visa.
Like all J-1 exchange visitors, the student intern applies for a J-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate.
7 Arrive and activate status.
After receiving the visa, the J-1 student intern travels to the United States, checks in with the Cornell department, and submits the required J-1 status activation form in myStatus.
8 Submit evaluation.
After completing the internship, the intern and faculty mentor submit an evaluation to International Services. For internships lasting longer than six months, a midterm evaluation is also required.
Department, Faculty, and Student Responsibilities
Internship Plan
A J-1 Student Intern Placement/Training Plan (DS-7002) must be developed for the prospective intern. International Services will produce this form based on information provided by the department during the application process.
At least three to five detailed sentences must be provided for each section of the training plan, emphasizing how the proposed work-based learning will reinforce key educational objectives. As you prepare the internship plan, please carefully review the caution below about unskilled and forbidden categories of labor.
Important Caution re: Unskilled and Forbidden Categories of Labor
J-1 student interns cannot displace American workers or fill a labor need. The internship must exist solely to assist the intern in achieving educational objectives and must consist of work-based learning, rather than ordinary employment or unskilled labor.
Interns may not be placed in positions that involve unskilled or casual labor; child care or elder care; aviation; clinical positions or any other kind of work involving patient care or contact, including therapy, medication, or other clinical or medical care (e.g., sports or physical therapy, psychological counseling, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, social work, speech therapy, or early childhood education); or any “position, occupation, or business that could bring the Exchange Visitor Program or the Department [of State] into notoriety or disrepute” [22 CFR § 62.23(i)(7)(iii)]. In the field of agriculture, the internship must meet all requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act and Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act.
Intern Program Fee
Before an intern’s DS-7002 and DS-2019 paperwork can be created, a $625 intern program fee (NetID login required to access) must be paid, either by the department or by the intern.
Cornell Appointment and Mentoring Support
Cornell policy requires interns to be given a paid or unpaid Cornell appointment. Interns must receive faculty supervision, mentorship, and other assistance.
Financial Support
Like all J-1 exchange visitors, the J-1 student intern must have verified financial support for the entire length of the stay. Consult Financial Support to confirm the minimum amount of financial support.
The internship may be paid or unpaid. If the department decides to pay a salary or stipend, 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. Unpaid interns must demonstrate proof of financial support.
Health Insurance
All J-1 exchange visitors must 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
The department is responsible for confirming that the intern demonstrates English language proficiency upon being selected to participate in the J-1 student intern program.
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. Evaluations are initiated by the J-1 student intern and submitted through MyStatus.
Important: Compliance is mandatory. Faculty mentors 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 submitting a J-1 student intern evaluation.
