Internships And Student Visas: What You Need To Know

If you're an international student looking to intern in the US, you'll need to navigate the visa process, which can be tedious and intimidating. The type of visa you'll need depends on whether you're already studying in the US or if you're coming solely for the internship. Most international students in the US hold an F-1 visa, which allows for internships, but only if they are directly related to your field of study and authorised by the Designated School Official (DSO). Students coming to the US just for an internship will likely need a J-1 visa, which is valid for up to 12 months and requires written approval from the sponsoring institution.

F-1 visa and internship requirements

The F-1 Visa (Academic Student) allows you to enter the United States as a full-time student at an accredited college, university, high school, or another academic institution. To be eligible for an F-1 visa, you must be enrolled in a program or course of study that culminates in a degree, diploma, or certificate, and your school must be authorized by the U.S. government to accept foreign students.

F-1 students may not work off-campus during the first academic year but may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), pre-completion Optional Practical Training (OPT), and post-completion OPT. CPT is a full-time or part-time training opportunity available during the school year or annual summer vacation, and it must be related to your degree program. To be eligible for CPT, you must have completed your first year of university. OPT can be applied for during your studies (pre-completion) or after completing your program (post-completion), and it allows you to work up to 20 hours per week during school and full-time during academic breaks and annual vacation. With a STEM-related degree, you can request up to two additional years of OPT.

To apply for an F-1 visa internship, you must first apply to a school and receive your I-20 – a Student and Exchange Visitor Program document. You must also show that you are able to support yourself while in the US. It is important to note that you cannot work off-campus on an F-1 visa without prior authorization from the Designated School Official (DSO) and USCIS. Summer internships require authorization if you are working and training in a position where the organization would usually hire and pay someone. If an internship is unpaid, it can still be authorized as a practical training experience. F-1 students experiencing economic hardship may also apply for authorization to work full-time during the summer vacation at an off-campus job.

J-1 visa and internship requirements

The J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa is one of two non-immigrant visa categories for persons wishing to study in the United States. The other is the F-1 visa. The J-1 visa allows foreign nationals to stay in the United States for a limited time for educational or training purposes. There are 15 different J-1 exchange visitor visas, depending on the applicant's requirements and the purpose of their stay.

To be eligible for a J-1 visa, applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years old
• Be a full-time student (from the second semester) at a university outside the USA or start their internship within 12 months of finishing their degree
• Have a commitment for an internship from a US company that has a direct reference to their field of study
• Have proficient English language skills
• Have sufficient financial resources of at least $1,300 USD per month available in the US
• Ensure their internship does not exceed 12 months
• Schedule a lead time of at least eight weeks

The J-1 visa application process is considered very complicated and subject to special conditions. A DS-2019 form is mandatory and can only be issued by the J-1 visa sponsor. The original form must be presented during the interview appointment at the US consulate or embassy and should be carried throughout the program, as it will be required for each program-related entry into the US or extension. Depending on the J-1 category, additional documentation may be required, such as diplomas or proof of work-related experience.

The host company must have a valid Worker's Compensation Insurance Policy that covers interns, and interns must be covered by a suitable travel health insurance plan. The internship must be structured and guided by the host company, including classroom training, seminars, rotation through several departments, on-the-job training, and attendance at conferences.

Pre-completion and post-completion internships

International students can undertake internships in the US, and there are two types of visas that allow for this: the F-1 visa and the J-1 visa. The F-1 visa is for full-time students, and the J-1 visa is for exchange visitors. Both visas have different requirements and restrictions regarding internships.

F-1 Visa

F-1 students must be enrolled in an "academic" educational program, a language-training program, or a vocational program. They must also be enrolled full-time at an approved school and be proficient in English. Additionally, F-1 visa holders must demonstrate the ability to afford school and living expenses before entering the US and should not plan to work off-campus.

F-1 students can apply for pre-completion and post-completion internships, known as Optional Practical Training (OPT). OPT is temporary employment directly related to the student's major area of study. Students can apply for up to 12 months of OPT authorization before or after completing their academic studies. During pre-completion OPT, students can work a maximum of 20 hours per week during the school term and full-time during academic breaks. All periods of pre-completion OPT will be deducted from the available period of post-completion OPT.

To be eligible for pre-completion OPT, students must have been enrolled full-time for at least one academic year at an approved institution. For post-completion OPT, students must apply after completing their studies and work at least 20 hours per week or full-time. If a student has already received one year of full-time pre-completion OPT, they will not be entitled to any period of post-completion OPT. However, students with a STEM-related degree can request up to two additional years of post-completion OPT.

J-1 Visa

The J-1 visa is for exchange visitors and allows students and recent graduates to undergo an internship in the US. To be eligible, applicants must be currently enrolled in a foreign college or university or have graduated within the past 12 months. The J-1 visa is valid for up to 12 months and does not have the same pre-completion and post-completion distinctions as the F-1 visa.

Paid vs. unpaid internships

To intern in the US, non-immigrant students generally need either an F-1 or M-1 visa. These visas require students to be enrolled in an academic, language training, or vocational program, and to be proficient in English. Students on these visas are usually enrolled in work- or study-based exchange visitor programs, approved by the US Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.

F-1 students must show they can afford school and living expenses and should not plan to work off-campus. However, off-campus employment may be authorized in cases of severe economic hardship or emergent circumstances, such as natural disasters or wars. F-1 students may also be eligible to apply for practical training upon graduation.

Both paid and unpaid internships are available in the US, and this often depends on the industry and the company offering the internship. Paid internships compensate interns with money, and sometimes college credit, and allow interns to gain practical experience with the typical tasks and duties of their intended career. Unpaid internships often compensate interns with college credit and provide learning opportunities and supervision and guidance. However, unpaid internships must follow US Department of Labor guidelines, which include providing similar training to what interns would receive in school, and not having interns replace or perform the job duties of a paid employee.

International students on F-1 visas may need additional work authorization to do unpaid internships in the US, as the US considers unpaid internships to be a type of employment. If an unpaid internship should have been a paid internship under Department of Labor rules, then the student must be "employment-authorized" to undertake the internship. If the student undertakes such an internship without authorization, they will have violated their immigration status and risk deportation. Therefore, it is important for foreign students, employers, and career services professionals to understand the rules governing unpaid internships.

On-campus vs. off-campus internships

Students with a visa intending to study in the United States can generally be categorised into F-1 and M-1 visas. To obtain either of these visas, students must meet specific criteria, including being enrolled in an academic, language training, or vocational program, and the school must be approved by the Student and Exchange Visitors Program.

For F-1 students, off-campus internships must be related to their area of study and must be authorised by the Designated School Official (DSO) and USCIS prior to starting work. Obtaining off-campus employment authorisation can be a lengthy process, and it ends 1 year after issuance or upon completion of the program, whichever comes first. F-1 students may be eligible for post-completion optional practical training (OPT) upon graduation.

On the other hand, on-campus internships for F-1 students do not require prior authorisation, and they can accept employment opportunities within the school or a company that contracts with the school to serve students directly. For example, an F-1 student can work for a school cafeteria or bookstore but not for the same company at any off-campus locations. Additionally, F-1 students are eligible to receive authorisation to work full-time or part-time on campus during the summer vacation.

M-1 students, on the other hand, have fewer opportunities for off-campus internships. According to the USCIS, any off-campus training or employment for M-1 students must be authorised by the DSO and USCIS and must be related to their area of study.

In conclusion, while both F-1 and M-1 students have the opportunity to intern in the United States, the process and requirements differ. F-1 students have more flexibility, with options for both on-campus and off-campus internships, while M-1 students' options appear to be more limited, with a focus on keeping their primary enrollment in an academic program.

Frequently asked questions