Office of Global Engagement

Telephone: 706-542-2900

Click here for a FAQ Regarding International Student Immigration Status and Services at UGA.

J-1 Student Interns

The U.S. Department of State allows students who are enrolled in degree programs at home universities (in other countries) to be sponsored for an intern position, for up to 12 months duration, in the U.S.

  • Eligibility +

    The U.S. Department of State allows students who are enrolled in degree programs at home universities (in other countries) to be sponsored for an intern position, for up to 12 months’ duration, in the U.S.

    J-1 Student Intern Information

    The internship may be with or without wages, however the student must provide evidence of personal or outside funding sufficient to cover all travel, health insurance, and living expenses, for the duration of the internship.

  • Sponsorship Process +

    Your first step will be to request the initial immigration paper work. This will consist of 2 steps:

    VRS Process

    1. Request UGAID (81X number) for the Student Intern. Please follow this process:
    2. Complete J-1 Student Intern Sponsorship form in iStart. You will find step-by-step instructions here:

    iSTART Departmental Guide

    After you submit the form, the student intern will be emailed a similar form automatically. Once both forms have been submitted, the following documents will be created by our office (Immigration Services):

    1. DS-7002: Internship Plan. You will be sent a .pdf copy to print, sign and return to our office.
    2. DS-2019- Immigration document for visa appointment.

    The student-intern will be able to apply for the J-1 visa at this point. Detailed instructions will be sent to the individual regarding visas, travelling, Athens, and other items to know before arriving.

  • English Assessment for Exchange Visitors +

    To assure UGA’s compliance with United States Department of State regulations, English language proficiency for scholars seeking J-1 visas and whose applications are received on or after September 15, 2017, must be documented in one of the following three ways.

    1. Test Score
    2. Documentation from a Previous Institution
    3. Interview

    Immigration Services’ full policy for English Assessment

    English Language Proficiency

  • Evaluations +

    Student-Interns and Sponsoring Departments must provide our office with written evaluations of the intern's performance, including the number of hours performed, the type of training, and the quality of the performance.

    All programs must do a concluding evaluation, and programs lasting more than six months must do a midpoint and concluding evaluation. The sponsor must retain these evaluations for at least three years following the completion of the student's internship program. [22 C.F.R. § 62.23(i)(5)].

    Evaluations are submitted in istart.uga.edu.