J-1 Visa: Gateway to Rewarding Career in the US with Harvard University Internship

• Written by Mudit Handa

  Reviewed by Rashmi Rai

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Every year, thousands of Indians travel to the US in search of a promising career with better prospects. Many aspirants also wish to travel to the US to pursue internship programs and acquire the necessary skills to boost their careers. On average, 500 to 800 Indian students and scholars enrol at Harvard University each year. However, most of them fail to land internship programs, which are essential to job opportunities. 

One key reason individuals fail to enrol in internship programs is their lack of knowledge of the rules and regulations. The foremost requirement of an internship program in the US is the J-1 Visa. 

This article will explain the J-1 visa and its requirements and how to get a J-1 visa work permit for a Harvard University internship.

What is a J-1 Visa?

The J-1 Intern Visa is a non-immigrant visa category that allows foreign nationals to participate in internship programs in the United States. This visa is designed to provide educational and cultural exchange opportunities for young people from around the world.

What are the Eligibility Criteria for the J-1 Visa?

To become eligible for a J-1 Intern Visa, applicants must generally meet the following requirements:

• Enroll in a post-secondary academic institution and pursue a degree or graduate within 12 months of the program's beginning date.
• Participate in an internship program related to their field of study.
• Have sufficient funds to support themselves during their stay in the United States.
• Meet the English language proficiency requirements.

Note: These are only general guidelines. The universities' specific requirements may vary depending on the program and the sponsor. Checking with official sources for the most accurate and up-to-date information is wise.

Let us learn how to apply for a J-1 visa with a Harvard University program.

Procedure to Apply for a J-1 Visa with a Harvard University Program

Like many other educational institutions, Harvard University only offers J-1 visa sponsorship for eligible exchange visitors.

Given below is a general process for applying for a J-1 visa:

Find a sponsoring organisation

The first step is to find a designated sponsor organisation authorised by the U.S. Department of State (DOS) to administer J-1 exchange visitor programs. In this case, Harvard University may sponsor or partner with sponsoring organisations for your internship program. 

Apply to the program

Once you have found a sponsor, apply to their J-1 visa program. The course application procedure may vary according to the sponsor, but it typically involves filing an application form along with supporting documents and paying the admission fee.

Obtain a DS-2019 form

If your application is approved, the sponsor will issue you a Form DS-2019, the Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status. You must fill out this form to apply for a J-1 visa.

Apply for a J-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate

Once you have obtained a DS-2019 form, you can apply for a J-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate in your native country. The application process will typically involve filling out an online visa application, paying the visa fees, and appearing for the visa interview.

However, this is just the general procedure for applying for a J-1 visa with a learning-cum-internship program in the US. You must refer to the official Harvard University website for specific instructions and information on J-1 visa sponsorship, which may vary occasionally.

How much is the J-1 Visa Cost?

The J-1 visa program involves various processes, including the DS-160 application fee, SEVIS registration, and biometrics authentication. Accordingly, you have to pay the following program fees: 

• DS-160 application fee: $160
• SEVIS fee: $180
• Biometrics fee: $85
• Course fees: May apply

Besides, additional types of J-1 visa costs include– 

• Travel to the U.S. consulate or embassy
• The DS-2019 application fee for sponsorship may vary depending on the sponsor.

What if I Don’t Have Sufficient Funds to Enroll in a US University?

If you don’t have sufficient funds to enrol in a US university, your higher education programme must be sponsored by a designated sponsor organisation. Such an organisation must be authorised by the U.S. Department of State (DoS) to administer the J-1 exchange visitor programs.

What is the Duration of the J-1 Intern Visa?

A J-1 Intern Visa program is valid for 12 months. For the convenience of the visa holders, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) gives a 30-day grace period for departing the USA. 

How can I Extend my J-1 Intern Visa Period?

If you wish to extend your visa beyond the Visa program, your course program sponsor must request to extend your visa to the USCIS before the current end date of your internship program listed on the following forms:

• DS-2019: Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status, and 
• DS-7002: Training/Internship Placement Plan

Thereafter, your sponsor is required to file a new Form DS-2019. You must also prove that you succeeded during the internship and have financial support for yourself during the extension. 

What are the Limitations of a J-1 Intern Visa?

J-1 Intern Visa holders are subject to certain restrictions. During your visa tenure, you must consider the following guidelines:

• You can’t engage in employment that is not directly related to your internship program.
• You must remain enrolled as a student or have a graduation degree.
• You must be physically present in your home country for two years.

These are the general guidelines for the J-1 Visa work permit. However, it's essential to know that the regulations for the J-1 Visa may vary from time to time.

For updated guidelines on the J-1 visa application process, you must contact the international student office at Harvard University. They can provide you with the most accurate and up-to-date information.

Apart from a J-1 Visa work permit, you need to prepare for study-cum-internship trip with travel insurance.

It’s important to note that travel insurance may be a mandatory requirement for a student visa if you plan to do higher studies at one of the prestigious universities in the United States. Hence, buying a US travel insurance plan is the foremost thing to do before applying for an internship visa in the US.

Secure Your US Study Trip with a Student Travel Insurance

Although Harvard University provides health coverage for the students, faculty, and staff under its Student Health Plan, some students may require additional travel insurance coverage to cover financial mishaps “outside the university”. 

So, before applying for study-cum-internship program at Harvard University, get yourself a suitable student travel insurance. You may buy student travel insurance such as Student Explore by Care Health Insurance, which covers you for medical and non-medical expenses during your study trip.

>> Also Read: Applying for a Student Visa?

Disclaimers: When choosing a student travel insurance, cross-check Harvard University’s requirements to confirm that your Indian insurance meets all the eligibility requirements. Policy coverage at the underwriter’s discretion.