Foreign nationals

Foreign nationals interning in the US must have an appropriate US visa or status. B1/B2/ESTA visas are for travel purposes and not suitable for internships, whether paid or unpaid.

Eligible foreign nationals may intern in the US through participation in the US Department of State’s J-1 Exchange Visa Program (EVP), also known as the J-1 program or BridgeUSA, which includes 15 different categories, with J-1 intern being one of them.

Enrollment in the EVP requires a designated sponsor of the category (not the host, unless they are designated). Simply finding an internship placement on your own won’t grant you a J-1 intern visa.*

Eligible foreign interns participating in the US through the Exchange Visitor Internship Program require their program to be administered by a designated sponsor in the category.

FUSIA is a designated sponsor for J-1 internships and STEM initiatives. To apply for J-1 internship sponsorship by FUSIA,

- Register at www.fusia.net/apply
- Request the assignment of a program advisor.
- Complete Panel 01 Part A-F (by intern) & 02 Part A-E (by host)
- Followed by an interview, document signing, and fee payment

There are two types of FUSIA-sponsored interns: Self-Placed interns, who source their own internship, and CP interns, whose internships are assigned by FUSIA. CP interns start with Panel 00 and can apply either from September to December (window 1) or from January to March (window 2) for summer or winter programs in NYC.

Each part requires entering information and uploading documents for verification. To successfully complete a part, ensure you fill out ALL the required fields and upload the specific documents for that part. This will trigger administrative review within 72 hours, followed by an email response for each uploaded file.

- If your upload is accepted, no further action is required.
- If declined, correct as per email feedback and reupload within 72 hours for another review.
- Continue until the part is entirely completed, then move on to the next part.

At the start of your application, request an assignment with a program advisor. CCIP-Placed interns will automatically be assigned a program advisor. Self-Placed interns, before creating your account, request to speak with a program advisor to undergo preliminary eligibility prescreening and discuss the timeline. Throughout the application process, stay in contact with your program advisor to address any immediate questions or concerns.

If you are working within a tight application timeline, consult your program advisor to explore the possibility of expediting the process. If doable, we will create a work schedule to reduce our standard 72-hour turnaround time to 24 business hours. The actual timeline still depends on how quickly the turnaround is managed by the intern and the host.

The J-1 visa application involves many rules and compliance requirements. To ensure a smooth and timely application process, stay in constant touch with your program advisor.

The Program Begin Date and Program End Date are crucial for your J-1 internship, as they define the approved Program Period.

1 Your J-1 visa can be issued up to 120 days before your Program Begin Date, and you can arrive up to 30 days to settle in prior. When determining your Program Begin Date, ensure that it occurs before or within a year after your graduation date and within 30 days after your arrival date in the US. Factor in the additional time required to apply for J-1 intern visa sponsorship by FUSIA and secure a visa interview appointment (click HERE). Note that appointment availability varies by US embassy or consulate, and there may be potential administrative processing delays on a case-by-case basis.

2 All program-related activities must be completed by the Program End Date. After completing your program successfully, you will be given a 30-day grace period, during which you can engage in tourism activities or make necessary preparations before departing from the United States. The 30-day grace period doesn't apply if you fail to complete the process successfully.

3 Ensure that you arrive in the US before your Program Begin Date. Failure to do so may necessitate SEVIS/Form amendment, additional fees, document re-signing, and increase the likelihood of questioning by CBP upon admission to the US. If the delay is significant, it could potentially lead to program cancellation and other visa complications. Ending your program before the Program End Date requires advance notice to your designated sponsor. Leaving more than 15 days before the initial program end date will involve SEVIS/Form amendment, extra fees, and document re-signing.

4 J-1 internships can be extended for a maximum of 12 months, subject to approval by the designated program sponsor. To apply for an extension, provide the necessary documentation within the specified period before the original program end date. If an extension is granted while you are in the US, the extension will only affect your J-1 status, not the visa itself. During the extended period, if you leave the US, you will have to apply for a visa again at a US embassy or consulate, which carries a risk of rejection.

The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is a web-based system used by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to monitor and track the activities of F/M/J visa holders during their stay in the US.

1 SEVIS manages F/M/J visa holders' information, ensures the safety and security of the US homeland, aids compliance with US immigration regulations, tracks non-immigrant students and exchange visitors to improve US safety, improves communication and collaboration between parties, and enhances the overall efficiency of the immigration system.

2 The Department of Homeland Security charges the SEVIS fee (I-901) to support SEVIS maintenance for prospective exchange visitors. For J-1 internships, this fee is USD 220. Applicants for J-1 internships through FUSIA are charged this fee upon program acceptance. This fee is distinct from the MRV fee charged by the US embassy or consulate for scheduling the visa interview.

3 Applicants for J-1 internship program sponsorship by FUSIA apply through FUSIA's application system which syncs with SEVIS requiring accurate, current, and complete information. Discrepancies could potentially result in SEVIS/form amendments, additional administrative fees, visa-related complications, or rejection.

3 SEVIS ID is a unique identifier assigned by SEVIS and is required for visa interviews and US entry. It consists of the letter N followed by nine digits. You can locate your SEVIS ID on both your DS-2019 form and your visa.

Holding two visas concurrently of the same type is not possible as acquiring a second visa automatically nullifies the previous one of the same type. If you intend to participate in two US programs consecutively, make note of the following:

1 Both J Visas Exchange internship falls into the J-1 category. If you plan to attend another J visa program immediately before or after ours, you must apply for the J visa for your second program from a US embassy or consulate outside the US, following the completion of the first program.

2 J & F Visas Should your programs require different visa types, such as F and J, then you may apply for both visas prior to your US trip. However, after completing the first program, you must exit the US and re-enter with the second visa.

3 Remarks All visa applications are handled by US embassies or consulates outside the US. Normally, you will apply through the embassy or consulate in your region of origin. If you apply in a different region outside your home country, it is at the discretion of that embassy or consulate whether to process your visa application.

Canadians generally do not require a nonimmigrant visa for temporary travel to the US. Bermudian citizens do not need a nonimmigrant visa for travel up to 180 days, except for specific travel purposes.

1 Visa Exemptions Canadian and Bermudian citizens enjoy certain exemptions when it comes to US visa requirements. If eligible, they have the option to bypass the traditional US visa application process at an embassy or consulate outside the US. Instead, they can apply directly for J status when crossing the border, thereby waiving the nonimmigrant visa MRV fee.

2 SEVIS Fee Canadian and Bermudian citizens are required to pay the SEVIS fee, regardless of whether they need a J, M, F visa or not. This fee is essential to cover the operational expenses of the SEVIS program and must be paid in advance of their entry into the US.

3 Permanent Residents Canadian and Bermudian permanent residents, however, must still undergo the application process for a J visa at a US embassy or consulate.

Exchange visitors and their J-2 dependents may be subject to Section 212(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, commonly referred to as the “two-year rule,” “two-year home residency requirement,” or “212(e).”

1 Visa Eligibility If subject to the two year rule, excchange visitors must be physically present in their home country for an aggregate of two years following their exchange program or obtain a waiver from the USCIS before they become eligible to apply for:

- H-1B (temporary worker) visa
- L (intra company transferee) visa
- K (fiancé/e) visa
- Adjustment of Status to permanent residence
- A change of status inside the US to any other non-immigrant classification except A (diplomats and dependents) or G (representative to international organizations)

2 Determinination The Two Year Rule is determined by their field of specialization and their country of nationality or last permanent residency. The decision is typically not clear until a consular officer evaluates it during the visa issuance process. It may be aggregated. As such, there is no need to reside in the country of nationality or legal permanent residency in a single, continuous two-year period.

3 Evidence Whether an exchange visitor is subject to the SEVIS fee can be determined by checking their exchange visa or Form DS-2019.

- Visa: “Bearer (is/is not) subject to section 212(e) or Two-year rule (does/does not) apply”
- DS-2019: The lower left-hand corner next to the consular officer’s stamp

4 Retaining Documentation Keep all documents to prove that the applicant has resided and was physically present in the required country for an aggregate period of two years after their exchange program has ended. Retain Form DS-2019 after the program. It may be needed for waiver applications. If you need to apply for a waiver of the 212(e) requirement, seek assistance from experienced immigration attorneys. We do not handle these matters.

J-1 visa holders are generally obligated to pay taxes on their income if they earn while in the United States.

1 J-1 interns/trainees are typically classified as non-resident aliens for tax purposes.

2 They must report and pay taxes on any income earned in the United States. This includes wages, stipends, scholarships, and other sources of income.

3 If they earn income, J-1 visa holders are generally required to file a U.S. federal tax return, Form 1040NR, and may also need to file state and local tax returns depending on their location. Even if they don't earn income in the US, J-1 visa holders are still obligated to file one tax form, Form 8843.

4 Normally, the tax deadline is mid-April of the year following the tax year. However, if only Form 8843 is required, the deadline is typically extended to mid-June.

5 Some countries have tax treaties with the United States that may affect the tax obligations of J-1 interns/trainees, potentially reducing or exempting taxes on certain types of income. However, they must file Form 8233 on the first program date and at the beginning of each new tax year.






Social Security and Medicare Taxes:
J-1 visa holders may be subject to Social Security and Medicare (FICA) taxes on their employment income unless exempt due to their visa type or a tax treaty provision.

Unpaid Internships:
Even for unpaid internships, J-1 visa holders are still required to file Form 8843 if no other tax return is necessary. The deadline for this form is typically by mid-June after the tax year.

J-1 training/internship programs are offered in ten different occupational categories. Pursuant to 22 CFR Part 62.4(h)(7), J-1 interns/trainees attend a training/internship program that their sponsor is designated to sponsor.

FUSIA is designated to sponsor the following occupational categories:

- Arts and Culture
- Information Media and Communications
- Management, Business, Commerce, and Finance
- Public Administration and Law
- Education, Social Sciences, Library Science, Counseling, and Social Services
- Sciences, Engineering, Architecture, Mathematics, and Industrial Occupations

FUSIA doesn’t sponsor the following categories.

- Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing
- Health Related Occupations
- Hospitality and Tourism
- Construction and Building Trades

The J-1 Visa program promotes cultural exchange and understanding between participants from different countries. Cultural activities are an integral component of J-1 internships and exchange programs.

The J-1 internship encompasses both professional experience and cultural engagement. Exchange interns who come to the US are not only expected to gain valuable work experience but also to immerse themselves in American culture and society.

FUSIA has specific requirements for J-1 participants, including the obligation to participate in a minimum number of cultural exchange activities during their program. These activities may encompass attending cultural events, workshops, or seminars.

Specifically, each participant is expected to engage in four or more cultural activities, and they are required to submit 8-10 photos that narrate their internship experience. For each activity, a write-up is mandatory, and it should be accompanied by 2-5 photos that highlight their participation.

Prior to joining our program, applicants should be aware of and agree with the dual objectives of the J-1 internship, which include not only work but also active engagement in cultural activities, as well as our program's rules. Their participation explicitly consents to having their photos featured on FUSIA’s website and social media platforms.

J-1 internships are primarily intended to assist participants in achieving the objectives of their training and internship programs.

1 Prohibited Uses J-1 internships should not be used to:

- Fill regular positions or fulfill labor requirements
- Bridge the time gap between different visa types
- Substitute for traditional work visas
- Displace or replace American workers or
- Substitute ordinary employment or work purposes

2 Nonimmigrant Intent: To successfully apply for a nonimmigrant visa, it's crucial to demonstrate your nonimmigrant intent and that you have plans to return to your home country after completing your program.

3 Program Transfer FUSIA does not support program transfers and mandates a three-year waiting period for H or L visa applications post-program.