/Office of Global Affairs
Visa and Immigration Services

Initiating a J-1 Student Intern Request

You may host a J-1 Student Intern if the individual is currently enrolled in a degree program outside the United States and will participate in an internship that supports their academic program.

The internship must:

  • Be directly related to the student’s field of study
  • Support the educational objectives of their degree program
  • Be temporary and structured

J-1 Student Interns are not employees filling long-term roles. The program is designed to provide practical training and academic experience.

Eligibility Requirements

You must ensure the student:

  • Is actively enrolled in a post-secondary institution outside the U.S.
  • Is coming to SBU to meet academic requirements of their degree
  • Has the appropriate academic background for the internship

All eligible students in this situation must be processed as J-1 Student Interns.

Program Duration

  • Maximum duration: 12 months
  • Extensions are not permitted

The internship must align with the academic calendar and program objectives.

Application Deadlines

You must submit requests by the following deadlines to support timely arrival:

  • Fall semester: June 15
  • Spring semester: October 15
  • Summer Session I / I–II: March 15
  • Summer Session II: April 15

Late submissions may delay or prevent participation.

Course Enrollment Requirement

You must ensure the student registers for a 1-credit research or internship course for each term of the program.

This is required to maintain compliance with the J-1 Student Intern category.

English Language Requirement

You must confirm the student meets university language standards:

  • Minimum TOEFL iBT 80 or
  • Minimum IELTS 6.5

The admitting office will verify this during the review process.

Admission Process

All J-1 Student Interns must be admitted as visiting, non-matriculated students.

After you submit the request:

  • The Graduate School or International Academic Programs (IAP) will review
  • The student’s academic credentials and English proficiency will be verified

You should not assume approval until this review is complete.

How to Submit a Request

You must initiate the request in accessVIS.

Step 1: Log in

  • Access Administrative Services for University Departments
  • Sign in using your NetID

Step 2: Start the Request

  • Select J-1 Student Intern Request
  • Enter the student’s ID and date of birth

Step 3: Submit Program Details

You must provide:

  • Description of internship activities
  • Contact information of the Faculty supervisor or Principal Investigator (PI)
  • Funding or appointment details

You may also need to upload:

  • Invitation letter
  • Employment letter (if paid)
  • Personnel requisition (if applicable)
  • Partner institution documentation (if applicable)

The faculty supervisor will receive an email asking for confirmation of program details after submission.

Step 4: Department Certification

You must complete the Chair’s Compliance Agreement.

This confirms that your department:

  • Understands J-1 regulations
  • Agrees to follow all program requirements

VIS cannot proceed without this certification.

Student Responsibilities

After you submit the request, the student must complete required forms in accessVIS, including:

  • Biographical information
  • Academic credentials
  • Financial documentation
  • Dependent information (if applicable)

Delays from the student will delay processing.

Compliance Review

VIS will:

  • Review the program details
  • Coordinate screening with the Office of Research Compliance

This ensures the internship meets U.S. regulations and institutional requirements.

Processing Timeline

  • Allow approximately 10 business days for VIS review
  • Submit requests well in advance of the program start date

Incomplete submissions will delay processing.

After Approval

If approved:

  • VIS will issue the Form DS-2019 and DS-7002
  • You will be notified to collect the documents
  • You must send the documents to the student

The student will use these documents to apply for a visa and enter the U.S.

Important Reminder

You are responsible for ensuring the internship is appropriate, properly structured, and submitted on time. Early preparation and accurate information will help ensure a smooth process for both you and your student intern.