What is the difference between a J-1 internship and a J-1 traineeship?

The intern track (up to 12 months) is for current university students or graduates within 12 months of completing their degree. The trainee track (up to 18 months) requires a degree plus at least 1 year of directly related work experience, or 5+ years of professional experience in lieu of a degree. Traineeships allow longer U.S. stays.

How much will I earn on a USA internship or traineeship?

Business and IT placements carry a guaranteed stipend of $500/month (2–6 months) or $1,000/month (12-month intern track). Hospitality placements pay $1,400–$2,500/month. Many host companies pay above these minimums and provide housing or transport allowances. Stipends are paid by the U.S. host company directly.

What does the J-1 visa application process involve?

After placement confirmation, we issue your DS-2019 sponsorship form and DS-7002 Training Placement Plan. You then pay the $35 SEVIS fee online, complete the DS-160 online application, pay the $160 MRV embassy fee, and attend a U.S. embassy interview. The full process typically takes 6–10 weeks from placement confirmation.

Which sectors are available for USA internship placements?

We offer placements across business and management, finance, marketing, IT and technology, graphic design, hospitality, tourism, and culinary arts. Sector availability depends on your academic background and professional experience. Business and IT are the most flexible; hospitality requires a relevant academic background or prior sector experience.

How long is the programme and can I extend it?

Internships run 2–12 months; traineeships run 2–18 months. After the programme ends a 30-day grace period allows travel within the USA. Extensions beyond the maximum are not permitted under J-1 rules without a new DS-2019, which requires additional processing time and a supplemental fee.

What are the programme fees?

The fee is €1,800 for 2–6 month placements or €2,200 for 7–12 month placements, plus a €300 non-refundable registration fee. This covers DS-2019 sponsorship, placement matching, CV review, visa guidance, pre-departure orientation, and in-country support. U.S. embassy fees, flights, and health insurance are additional.

Do I need health insurance for a J-1 internship in the USA?

Yes — U.S. law requires all J-1 participants to maintain health insurance with a minimum of $100,000 medical coverage, $50,000 repatriation of remains coverage, and a deductible no higher than $500. We provide access to a compliant J-1 health insurance plan at approximately $95/month.

Can I choose which U.S. city I am placed in?

You can indicate preferred cities during the application process. Popular destinations include New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, Chicago, and San Francisco. Final placement depends on available host companies matching your profile. Hospitality placements are most common in Florida and California; business and IT span all major metro areas.

Work in the USA

Internship & Traineeship Programs in the USA.

Earn a guaranteed stipend while building your career in one of the world's most exciting economies. We handle placement, J-1 visa sponsorship, and guidance from application to arrival.

Our USA J-1 programmes offer students and graduates paid internships (up to 12 months, from $500/month) and traineeships (up to 18 months, up to $2,500/month in hospitality) with full DS-2019 sponsorship, placement matching, and in-country support across business, IT, and hospitality sectors.

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Erasmus+ partner since 2009
50,000+ students placed
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Updated March 2026

Our service

What we handle for you

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Curated host-company shortlist matched to your profile
Learning Agreement & Erasmus+ paperwork end-to-end
Visa, NIE and insurance orientation
Accommodation guidance in every host city
Local coordinator from day one to evaluation
Mid-term and final reports for your university

The J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa is the only legal route for international students and graduates to undertake structured work experience in the United States. Our programme provides the DS-2019 sponsorship form you need, matches you with a vetted U.S. host company aligned to your field, and guides you through every step of the visa application process — from the DS-160 form to the embassy interview.

Two tracks are available. The intern programme (up to 12 months) is for current university students and graduates within 12 months of their degree. The trainee programme (up to 18 months) is for degree-holders with at least 1 year of relevant professional experience, or professionals with 5+ years of field experience. Both tracks are open to candidates of all nationalities.

Placements span business and management, marketing, IT and technology, finance, hospitality, and culinary arts — in New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Orlando, Chicago, and other major U.S. cities. All positions carry a guaranteed minimum stipend paid by the host company, with many offering housing assistance or transport allowances on top.

Maximum traineeship duration
Monthly stipend range
Typical visa processing time
Programme eligibility: All nationalities

What's included in the program

Our programme fee covers the full placement journey: DS-2019 J-1 sponsorship, DS-7002 Training Placement Plan, CV and cover letter review in U.S. format, personalised host-company matching, visa application guidance, pre-departure orientation, and ongoing in-country support for the duration of your placement.

We also provide guidance on sourcing compliant J-1 health insurance (required by U.S. law at approximately $95/month), assist with housing research in your destination city, and offer cultural orientation sessions covering workplace norms, banking, and transportation. If your J-1 visa is denied, a partial refund of the DS-2019 fee applies.

Step-by-step guidance throughout the entire application process
CV and cover letter review tailored to U.S. employer standards
Internship or traineeship placement matched to your field and goals
Assistance obtaining the DS-2019 and DS-7002 forms for your J-1 visa
Pre-departure orientation covering housing, insurance, and arrival logistics
Support with visa interviews, flight booking, and optional language courses

Available fields and destinations

Business, marketing, finance, and IT placements are available across all major U.S. metro areas, with particularly strong availability in New York (finance, marketing), California (tech, design), and Chicago (operations, management). Hospitality and culinary placements are concentrated in Florida, New York, and California, where the density of world-class resorts and restaurants is highest.

Host companies range from boutique professional services firms and tech start-ups to Fortune 500 corporations and globally renowned hotel groups. The DS-7002 Training Placement Plan documents your learning objectives and ensures the placement qualifies as genuine skill development under J-1 programme rules.

Business & Management — strategy, operations, and international trade
Sales & Client Services — customer-facing roles in dynamic commercial settings
Finance & Accounting — exposure to U.S. financial markets and reporting standards
Marketing & Communications — digital campaigns, content, and brand work
IT & Technology — software, data, and graphic design at leading tech firms
Hospitality, Tourism & Culinary — high-earning placements at resorts and hotels

Eligibility and program duration

Intern track: currently enrolled students or graduates within the last 12 months
Trainee track: degree + 1 year related experience, or 5+ years professional experience
Intermediate to advanced English proficiency required
Internships last 2–12 months; traineeships last 2–18 months + 30-day grace period
Extensions require a new DS-2019 at additional cost
Open to all nationalities worldwide

Compensation and fees

Guaranteed $500/month for 2–6 month business/IT placements
Guaranteed $1,000/month for 12-month business/IT placements
Hospitality placements typically pay $1,400–$2,500/month
Programme fee: €1,800 (2–6 months) or €2,200 (7–12 months) + €300 registration
J-1 health insurance: ~$95/month (required by U.S. law)
Partial DS-2019 refund if J-1 visa is denied

Frequently asked

Questions, answered.

Quick answers to what students, parents and partners ask most often. Don't see your question? Ask our team.

Keep reading

Related guides

Work Abroad USA — Overview

Full guide to all USA work programme options, eligibility, and how to apply.

Business & IT USA Programs

Paid business and technology placements in New York, California, and beyond.

Hospitality & Culinary USA Programs

Earn $1,400–2,500/month at world-class U.S. resorts and restaurants.

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