J-1 Visa Documents: What You and Your Host Company Need

Which Documents Do You Need for a J-1 Visa?

What you, your host company and your sponsor need for a J-1 internship or traineeship.

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What the Sponsor Checks About You

• Your studies or degree: full-time enrollment or graduation within 12 months for interns, degree plus experience for trainees
• English good enough for day-to-day work, through a recognized test, a document from your school or language school, or an interview with the sponsor
• Sufficient funds to cover your entire stay, including housing and living costs
• Health Insurance for the whole program

Source: 22 CFR § 62.22: Trainees and interns · 22 CFR § 62.14: Insurance

What the Host Company Provides

• Its Employer Iden­ti­fi­ca­tion Number (EIN) used for tax purposes
• Verification by a third party of its phone number, address and business, for example through its website
• Proof of workers' compensation insurance, or the state's exemption
• Its signature on the DS-7002 training plan

Source: 22 CFR § 62.22: Trainees and interns

What You Bring to the Visa Interview

• Your DS-2019 from the sponsor
• A passport valid for travel to the US
• The completed online visa application DS-160
• The receipt for the visa application fee
• A photo in the required format
• Your signed DS-7002, if the consular officer asks for it
• Any additional documents listed on the website of your embassy or consulate

Source: J-⁠1 Visa: Common Questions for Participants · 22 CFR § 62.22: Trainees and interns

FAQs

How do I prove my English for a J-1 Visa?

Through a recognized English test, a signed document from your school or a language school, or an interview with the sponsor.

Source: 22 CFR § 62.22: Trainees and interns

The Bottom Line

You prove your studies, English and finances to the sponsor, the host company proves it is real and insured, and you bring your DS-2019 and visa application to the interview.

Related Terms

• 
  DS-2019The Certificate of Eligibility your J-1 sponsor issues. You need it to apply for your visa.
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  DS-7002The Training/Internship Placement Plan. You, your host company and your sponsor all sign it.
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• 
  Visa InterviewThe appointment at a US embassy or consulate where you apply for your J-1 Visa with your DS-2019.
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  Host CompanyThe US organization where a J-1 intern or trainee does the training program.
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  J-1 TimelineThe order of steps from your eligibility check to your arrival in the US, and what decides how long it takes.
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  Health InsuranceCoverage every J-1 participant must have for the whole program, with minimum benefits set by US rules.
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Sources

1. 22 CFR § 62.22: Trainees and interns
2. 22 CFR § 62.14: Insurance
3. J-⁠1 Visa: Common Questions for Participants