The J-1 Intern program lets US companies host international students and recent graduates for structured, hands-on training of up to 12 months. Done right, it brings motivated talent and new perspectives into your team. Here is what host employers need to know.
How the J-1 Intern program works
The program is overseen by the US Department of State and run through designated sponsors. The sponsor vets your company and the internship, issues the intern’s Form DS-2019 and stays responsible for the participant during the program. Interns must be enrolled in a degree program outside the United States, or have graduated within the past 12 months, and the internship must relate to their field of study.
Your responsibilities as a host employer
- A structured training plan. You complete Form DS-7002 with the sponsor, describing the phases of the internship, the skills the intern will build and who supervises each phase.
- Training, not ordinary employment. A J-1 intern must not displace American workers, whether full-time, part-time, temporary or permanent.
- Limited clerical work. No more than 20% of the intern’s time can go to clerical or basic tasks.
- Qualified supervision. Supervisors named in the training plan guide the intern throughout the program.
- Compliance. You follow all federal, state and local labor and workplace safety laws.
- Site visits and evaluations. The Department of State requires a site visit for host companies with fewer than 25 employees and less than $3 million in annual revenue, and sponsors require evaluations during the program.
Sponsor-specific requirements
Each sponsor adds its own conditions, so check them early. Common examples include a minimum number of full-time employees on site, limits on remote work, how long the business has been operating, and pay rules: some sponsors require at least the state and local minimum wage for internships longer than six months.
Timeline
Plan for roughly two to three months from the moment you select a candidate: sponsor approval of your company and training plan, issuance of the DS-2019, then the intern’s visa interview. Once the intern’s file is complete, the visa step alone often takes four to six weeks, depending on consulate wait times.
Costs to budget
Budget for the sponsor’s program fees, which vary from one sponsor to another, and agree upfront on who covers the intern’s SEVIS and visa fees, insurance and travel. If the internship is paid, the intern is generally paid through regular payroll like your other employees.
How Linkor helps
Linkor connects US companies with qualified international interns and manages the visa process from start to finish, with Linkor Talent plans from $400 per seat. Learn more on our page about hiring international interns or contact us.
Information current as of October 2026, for guidance only. It is not legal advice: requirements vary by sponsor, so confirm the details with your J-1 sponsor and the Department of State.
