J-1 Visa for internships,
traineeships and research.
One payment, everything included. If the sponsor declines you, you get it back.
How we work
- We handle the application. Documents, training plan and the sponsor’s questions are coordinated with you and your host company.
- Official CIEE representative. As an international representative of the sponsor, we check your eligibility before anything is submitted.
- Also after a no. An earlier J-1 Visa or a no from another provider doesn’t rule you out.
- Payment once you have a host. In two installments if you prefer.
How it works
- 1
Your check
- 2
Your host
- 3
Training plan
- 4
Sponsor review
- 5
Consulate
- 6
Departure
The six steps in detail
- Your check: The check tells you which program fits and what you pay.
- Your host: We review your host company, or look for a paid position for you.
- Training plan: Your host writes the training plan (DS-7002); we review it before the sponsor and share examples.
- Sponsor review: We submit your application and handle every question from the sponsor.
- Consulate: You receive your DS-2019 and book your visa appointment at the US consulate.
- Departure: Once your visa is issued, you plan your start.
Send us your CV or your host’s contact, ideally four to six weeks before your start. Once the documents are complete, sponsorship usually takes one to two weeks.
Your free J-1 Visa Check
Use the check to see which program suits you and how much you pay. You see your result before you share any contact details.
If you already have a host company
We review the host company and the training plan and handle the sponsor’s questions.
Host company and eligibility
With you and your company contact, we clarify company details, work site, pay, supervision and your background. Small and unusual host companies are also considered. If a site visit is needed, you know before you book.
Training plan (DS-7002)
Your host writes the training plan (DS-7002); we review it before the sponsor and share examples.
Sponsor questions
We bundle the sponsor’s questions and agree any additions with you and your host. You don’t need to relay messages between your host and the sponsor.
Harder cases
If your case is legally possible, we submit it. If not, we tell you beforehand.
Special cases
We look at these cases individually.
Prices
Sponsorship and placement are separate services. You only pay for what you need.
Sponsorship for your J-1 internship or traineeship
- Your application and host handled by us, your training plan checked
- Documents, signatures and sponsor questions coordinated
- DS-2019 once approved, SEVIS fee and J-1 Visa health insurance included
€1,940
Price example: Intern · 6 training months
See the price for my duration
Your price depends on your program and the number of training months. Interns from €1,505, trainees from €1,875.
No host company yet?
We look for a paid internship or traineeship for you.
€1,500
Due only when you accept an offer
More about placement
We begin by checking whether your profile and timeline suit a search. Every internship or traineeship we place you in is paid. For placement, you pay €1,500 only when you accept an offer. You book sponsorship separately.
Start with the J-1 Visa Check See open positionsWhat else do I pay?Visa fee, travel and your stay.
The visa fee of $185 is paid directly to the consulate, and a visa integrity fee set by US law may apply, see visa fee. Flights, housing and living costs come on top. If your host company needs a site visit, for which the sponsor charges €250, we let you know before you book. The SEVIS fee and health insurance are already included. You pay no processing fee.
What if the sponsor says no?Your sponsorship payment comes back in full.
If the sponsor declines you, your sponsorship payment is refunded in full, except for a site visit that already took place (€250). Consular fees, travel and housing are not covered.
Researcher, professor or specialist? J-1 Scholar sponsorship from €3,900, plus health insurance from €19 a month. Scholar prices
Every J-1 program we handle
Interns, trainees and scholars, by stage and by field. One price per program, no processing fee.
For US companies
Hosting a J-1 intern or trainee takes one email from you. We do the rest, and if you host regularly, we offer partner pricing.
The internship or trainee J-1 Visa, explained step by step
Requirements, host company, training plan, prices and what happens after a decline, each on its own page.
The VisaNerd Library
Plain-language answers about the J-1 Visa, each term checked against its official source. Every link on our pages opens it right where you are.
Why VisaNerd
A direct line to the sponsor, one contact for you and your host, and your sponsorship payment back in full if the sponsor says no.
Paid J-1 internships and traineeships in the US
Roles we fill with US companies, and open roles at other US organizations that we check every morning.
What our clients say
How participants and companies describe working with us.
Feedback originally in German has been translated into English.
Applying from anywhere
We handle your J-1 Visa from any country. You apply in your country of residence; some countries have their own page.
Your questions before you start
The short answers. The J-1 Visa Check above tells you the rest.
Do I need a host company first?
No. Start with the free J-1 Visa Check. Without a host, you can ask us to look for a paid position if a search suits your profile. You pay €1,500 only when you accept an offer. With your host already confirmed, we handle your sponsorship from start to finish.
I was declined elsewhere. Can you still help?
Briefly describe what happened and give us the precise reason for the decline. We explain which documents are needed for a proper review of your case. Reviewing it again does not guarantee approval.
My degree is a few years old. Is that a problem?
An older degree alone is not a problem. The trainee program may suit you if you have a degree plus one year of work experience in your field outside the US, or five years of work experience in your field outside the US. We assess your planned training alongside your education and work experience.
How long does it take?
Aim to get your documents to us four to six weeks ahead of your planned start. With all documents in place, our aim is to complete your sponsorship within one to two weeks. Your consulate determines when you can get a visa appointment.
What does my host company have to do?
Your host writes the DS-7002 training plan with you, setting out training tasks, learning goals and a supervisor. We review it before the sponsor, share examples where needed and coordinate the documents and sign-offs.
Questions about your internship or trainee J-1 Visa?
Ask us directly.
You get our email reply within 24 hours. You can contact us before your case is fully sorted out.
Ask us directly
Briefly tell us about your plans: your field, when you want to start and whether you have a host company. More detail lets us give you a more precise answer.
Or write to [email protected] or on WhatsApp.