J-1 Intern/Trainee

It is possible for faculty members to host an overseas undergraduate student or recent graduate in an internship at Northwestern University. If all the criteria for participation are met, the International Office (IO) can issue the DS-2019 immigration document for the student intern to obtain a J1 visa in this category.

The following are the criteria for an intern/trainee:

  1. The internship cannot be for more than 12 months for an Intern, 18 months for a    Trainee.
  2. The intern/trainee is a foreign national enrolled in and pursuing an undergraduate degree at an accredited post-secondary academic institution outside the U.S. or if Trainee has graduated from an undergraduate program within the last 12 months. S/he must be in good academic standing.
  3. The intern/trainee must be engaged full-time (32 hours/week) in the internship at Northwestern University that will fulfill the educational objectives for his/her current degree program at his/her home institution.
  4. The intern/trainee is maintaining satisfactory advancement towards completion of his/her internship program.
  5. The intern/trainee has verifiable English language skills to function in the internship environment.
  6. The intern/trainee is primarily in the US to engage in the intern program rather than to engage in employment or provide services to Northwestern University.
  7. The intern/trainee will return to his/her academic program and obtain a degree from their overseas academic institution after completion of the student intern program. The intern/trainee can not transfer into an academic degree program at Northwestern University while in his/her internship.
  8. The intern/trainee has adequate finances to support himself/herself and dependents for their duration of their stay in the US. The intern/trainee can be paid by the sponsoring department.
  9. The student internship exposes participants to American techniques, methodologies, and technology and expands upon the participants' existing knowledge and skills.
  10. The internship cannot duplicate the student intern's prior experience.
  11. The intern/trainee must have sufficient health insurance coverage for the entire duration of their internship program.

Northwestern University supervisor's responsibilities include the following:

  • Ensure that there are sufficient resources, plant, equipment and trained personnel available to provide for the specified internship program.
  • Ensures the internship does not displace full or part-time temporary or permanent American workers or serve to fill a labor need.
  • Ensure that the intern/trainee is not placed in an unskilled or casual labor position, in a position that requires or involves child care or elder care, a position in the field of aviation or in clinical positions or any other kind of work that involves patient care or contact, including therapy.
  • Ensures that the position the intern/trainee fills exists solely to assist the intern/trainee in achieving the objectives of his/her participation in an internship program and does not involve more than 20% clerical work.
  • Complete the required evaluation of the intern/trainee’s performance at the conclusion of the internship.
  • Internships lasting longer than 6 months require a mid-point evaluation.
  • Complete the Training/Internship Placement Plan (form DS-7002).
  • Ensure the intern/train will be oriented with the department personnel, equipment, procedures, etc.

J-1 Intern/Trainee Process Flow:

  • Department establishes internship program and complete the following documents:
  • Department conducts selection process, identifies suitable candidate, and completes the following documents:
  • Department requests intern/trainee to complete following paperwork:
  • Department complies all forms on the J-1 Intern/Trainee Department Checklist
  • Department submits the application to the IO
  • An IO adviser reviews the application and will either:
    • Send it back to the department for corrections
    • Send the DS-7002 to the department for approval signatures
  • Department sends (mail, fax or scan/email) DS-7002 to the intern/trainee
  • Intern/trainee signs the DS-7002 and sends (mail, fax or scan/email) signed DS-7002 to the department
  • Department returns the DS-7002 to the IO
  • An IO advisor will conduct a final review of the application and DS-7002 and will create the DS-2019 for the intern/trainee to obtain a visa stamp