Visa information USA, J-1

If you google “visa for America” you’ll be overwhelmed with information. The visa process can be quite complex, so we try to explain it to you as clear as possible. For an internship in the USA you have will need the so-called J-1 visa. To apply for the J-1 visa at the consulate, you must be in the possession of the DS-2019 form. This form can only be issued by “designated sponsors”, which are organizations recognized by the U.S. government and have the jurisdiction of distributing DS-2019 forms. To be eligible for the form, you must first submit an application and get approved.

Abroad Internships has a partnership with the CICD. They are licensed to distribute the DS-2019 form. At the moment that an internship has been found for you, it is the intention that you register yourself here. The consultant will give you a mail with instructions on how you can do this. It takes between 6 and 8 weeks to obtain this visa, from the time of the application is started. It might be a bit faster, but that depends on several factors. Abroad Internships will assist both you and the internship company with the visa process, because through cooperation with the CICD we have an insight into your visa application. Obviously you have the right to choose a different visa office to work with, if you want. The cost of the visa amounts to 900 euros including the SEVIS and consulate fee, but this as well is dependent on your internship duration. Look here for the latest fares for the visa. To get more insight into the process, here are the steps that occur in chronological order:

• Registration at the website of the CICD
• 2-3 days later you get an email from your assigned CICD agent
• Collection of your documents (transcript, certificate of registration, passport, etc)
• Supply the documents of the internship company (this is not your concern)
• Approval of all documents by the CICD
• Invoice of the CICD
• Brief Skype interview between you and the CICD (also applies to the internship)
• If everything is in order, the DS-2019 form is created and send to you
• Appointment at the consulate in Amsterdam
• Check here to see what you will need to bring to your appointment
• After your appointment, you will receive your visa within 3 working days

This whole process takes around 6 to 8 weeks. It can go faster, bust as you can see there are many factors that play a role. We try to assist you as much as possible during the process and do as much as possible to have it go as smooth as possible. There are some more things you should know about the visa process. Abroad Internships has no influence on the approval and duration of the process. We are just as dependent as you are for that matter, so we can not be held responsible if for example the process is delayed. At the time the visa process starts, the CICD is the service provider and Abroad Internship the supporting party. We know that the process can be frustrating from time to time, but remember that the main goal is that you end up with that wonderful experience that is waiting for you in the USA.