Initial J-1 Student Intern Request

The J-1 Student Intern category is available to international students currently enrolled in and pursuing a degree at a postsecondary academic institution outside of the United States. The internship must "fulfill the educational objectives for his or her current degree program at his or her home institution" by way of an individualized Training/Internship Placement Plan (Form DS-7002).

Below please find a list of the student eligibility requirements for program participation:

• The prospective EV must be enrolled in and pursuing studies at an accredited postsecondary academic institution outside of the U.S.

• The prospective EV must be in good academic standing at the home institution.

• The prospective EV must intend to resume and complete their studies at their home institution upon completion of the internship at Stevens.

• The prospective EV must demonstrate "sufficient proficiency in the English language, as determined by an objective measurement of English language proficiency, to successfully participate in an exchange visitor program and to function on a day-to-day basis." A prospective EV can establish sufficient proficiency in the English language by either:

  • Submitting a TOEFL/IELTS score, less than 2 years old from the date of submission that meets minimum score requirements as detailed on the ISSS J-1 Exchange Visitor (EV) English Language Proficiency Policy Webpage

  • Satisfactory completion of the Scholar Oral Proficiency Assessment (SOPA), administered by the Stevens' English Language Communications (ELC) department. To request the SOPA, please complete and submit the SOPA Request Form to the ELC department by emailing Samaneh Jafari at [email protected].

• The prospective EV must possess sufficient funds for the entire duration of the internship program. The minimum level of funding required per month is $1,750 with an additional $500 per month needed for a spouse and $400 per child in J-2 dependent status. The program may be funded through the following sources:

  • Fully funded by Stevens as stipulated on the DS-7002 Training Plan

  • Partially funded by Stevens and partially funded from other sources

  • Funded fully by other resources (including personal funds)

*Financial support may consist of a sponsorship letter from the prospective EV's home institution, original or notarized copies of bank statements, U.S. foreign government sponsorship letters, home country employer, international organization, etc. All financial documents must be in the English language.

• The prospective EV must have sufficient health and accident insurance for the entire duration of the program for self and any J-2 dependents that may accompany the EV to the U.S. For additional information on the health insurance coverage requirements, please review the information available on the ISSS Insurance Requirements and Agreement Form.

Below please find a list of the internship eligibility requirements:

• The internship must fulfill the educational objectives for the student’s current degree program at their home institution.

• The internship must consist of a structured work‐based program that builds upon and reinforces the student’s academic study upon their return to their home institution.

• The internship may be paid or unpaid

• The minimum duration for the internship is 3 weeks, the maximum duration is 12 months

• The internship must consist of at least 32 hours of work per week

• The internship cannot consist of more than 20% of administrative or clerical work

• The internship must not displace a U.S. worker

To be completed and submitted by the sponsoring department:

• J-1 Intern Department Request Form

• Prospective EV’s English language CV

• Official Internship Offer Letter (please see available template)

• Completed Form DS-7002 (please see Form DS-7002 Guide)

To be completed and submitted by the sponsoring department and the prospective EV:

• SOPA Request Form if this is the preferred method to meet the English language requirement. Please refer to the information provided above for further details.

To be completed and submitted by the prospective EV:

• J-1 Intern Application Form

• Passport identification page

• If the prospective EV is currently in the U.S., copies of current Forms DS-2019 or I-20 and visa page for self and any dependents that have accompanied the EV (if any)

• Copies of previously issued Forms DS-2019 or I-20 and visa page for self and any dependents that have accompanied the prospective EV (if any)

• Financial documentation with sufficient funds for the entire duration of the program. The minimum level of funding required per month is $1,750 with an additional $500 per month needed for a spouse and $400 per child in J-2 dependent status. The program may be funded through the following sources:

  • Fully funded by Stevens as stipulated in the Internship Offer Letter

  • Partially funded by Stevens as stipulated in the Internship Offer Letter and partially funded from other sources

  • Funded fully by other resources (including personal funds)

*Financial support may consist of a sponsorship letter from the prospective EV's home institution, original or notarized copies of bank statements, U.S. foreign government sponsorship letters, home country employer, international organization, etc. All financial documents must be in the English language.

• Home Institution Certification Letter (please see available template)

For any family members that may accompany the prospective EV as J-2 dependents, ISSS will require the following documents:

• The completed J-2 Dependent Request Form

• Passport identification page for each dependent

• Proof of relationship, translated into English (marriage or birth certificate)

• Proof of funding for each dependent. Please refer to the information provided above for further details.