Help Section

An Internship is a position within a company where you are constantly learning and training in your field of study, while under a mentor. You should demonstrate a clear progression during your Internship; by curating the skills you already have, learning new skills and gaining exposure to lots of different areas of the department or business. Your mentor will of course guide you, but an Internship is for the self-starter, who will work hard and make the most of every opportunity. Your Internship cannot be filling a labour need (like a regular job would) or take a job away from an American worker.

Your internship can be paid or unpaid – this is negotiated directly between you and your employer. Some unpaid internships sometimes evolve into paid Internships.

USIT will provide you with a Sponsor based in the US, CIEE. CIEE will approve your Internship Training Plan (the form is called DS7002). Your employer completes this online form which outlines what you are learning and the training you are receiving. Your Internship Training Plan must first be approved by CIEE.

It is the graduates (hey, that’s you!) sole responsibility to secure his/her own position. We recommend that you do as much research as possible as early as possible, to ensure you give yourself enough time to find a suitable placement.

No, USIT do not source your position or arrange interviews. Applicants come from different backgrounds, have different past work experience and different career goals, therefore it wouldn’t be feasible to source internships suitable to each individuals’ needs and future career goals. Applicants should use this year to work towards their long term career goals. We will give you some tips on where to look for your Internship and how to lay up your US resume.

You have 90 days once you land in the USA to secure an internship. Get valuable face time with future employers and secure the best position for you by interviewing in person. However we always recommend that you do as much research as possible before you go to make sure you are picking the best location for the industry you will be looking for a position in.

You have 90 days to secure a placement - if you do not manage to secure an internship within this time, please contact your US sponsor to discuss your options. If you have some solid leads you may be granted a short extension but ultimately if you do not find a placement within the time alloted by your sponsor you will have to return to Ireland.

Your internship must be minimum 32 hours per week.

Your internship must be at a safe location – no remote work permitted – you must have an office space.

There must be a minimum of 5 fulltime employees to every intern/trainee at that location.

CIEE will have to conduct a site visit in any one of the following scenarios: If your Company has never taken on an intern through the programme before. If their annual revenue is less than $3 million. Or if they have less than 25 full time employees. A member from CIEE will pop out to the premises to approve the location.

Please note there may be additional restrictions in your field https://www.usavisa.ie/job-guidelines

You can apply anytime of the year. However the processing time of your application will take approximately 10 to 12 weeks, so plan for this when you apply.

At USIT we are open for bookings for 2023 and the positive news is that we have you covered in case of cancellation due to Covid or a pandemic. We have our booking promise, which guarantees that our customers will receive a refund or transfer of their booking, less any 3rd party fees applicable, if you cannot participate in your booked programme due to a travel restriction to your destination country. The following constitute as Covid Travel restrictions allowing a refund or transfer option:

• DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs) Travel advisory against travel within 14 days of your departure date due to Covid.

• Full border closure or restrictions, due to Covid, specific to the visa you are entering the country of destination on.

• Visa applications cannot be made due to closures or restrictions of appropriate Embassies, VAC centres or online portals due directly to a pandemic.

• Visas are not being approved due to Covid travel restrictions.



What doesn’t constitute as Covid travel restrictions & regular programme terms & conditions apply:

• Local quarantine rules. Quarantine plans are currently in place in many states and countries with ever-changing conditions.

• Additional costs for Covid tests and quarantine.

• Full border closure or restrictions due to Covid on countries you may be transiting through to your programme’s destination country, where there are alternative routes possible.

• If you cannot travel due to a positive Covid test or are asked to quarantine by your local government.

• If borders are open & restrictions allow you to travel on the programme, but you decide not to travel for any reason our normal terms & conditions will apply.

• Where external visa application routes are open & permitted, if you are advised by USIT to apply for the visa but you choose not to do so & further restrictions are imposed resulting in the application option being closed again.

• If you decide to postpone your trip. However wherever possible USIT will transfer the date of your trip to the following season or an alternative programme.

• In the case that you booked with us while there were Covid restrictions on your programme, whether these restrictions centred on the application process or travel to your destination country, your deposit will be held until restrictions are lifted allowing you to proceed with your booking or for a maximum of 6 months after which it can be refunded.



3rd Party Fees that are exempt from our Covid Refund & may not be refundable in the following circumstances:

• Insurance: If your policy has been issued for over 14 days or already started.

• SEVIS Fee: If your DS-2019 has been issued

• US Embassy Fee: If your US Embassy appointment has been booked and you have/ or have not attended.

• Government visa costs: If your visa application has been processed & submitted to the relevant government authority or licenced migration agent. (Canada, Australia, or New Zealand programmes for example)

• Gardaí Vetting: Where required cannot be refunded after submission.

• Travel costs: USIT are not responsible for flight or other travel & transport related costs that are purchased separately.

• Medical costs: USIT are not responsible for any medical costs incurred whether Covid related, or not & participants should ensure they have sufficient travel insurance before departing.

• Accommodation costs: USIT are not liable for any such costs that are purchased separately to the USIT programme.

• Miscellaneous: Anything other than the products & programmes purchased directly from USIT, regardless of its relevance to the participants intended plans on the programme, the participant is responsible for these costs & should ensure they are aware of Covid related terms & conditions on such additional purchases.

Processing of application; transfer of all relevant documents to CIEE in Portland; Participant Handbook; Issue of DS-2019; Dispatch of all Visa Application forms, including samples; 24 hour emergency service in the USA. Pre-departure orientation and unlimited site visits if required.

The Sevis fee is charged by the US Government in order to maintain the SEVIS system. The SEVIS system generates your DS-2019 and serves as a tracking system/database while you are in the US. There are more details regarding the SEVIS system in the programme handbook and materials you receive when you are approved for the programme.

Unfortunately we cannot facilitate expedited applications at this time due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

You need to be in Ireland for a majority of the process for several reasons. The main reason is that if you have spent too much time in the US prior to attending your Interview at the US Embassy/Consulate they will look at your application more suspiciously and you will run a greater risk of rejection. We also need to be able to contact you if there are any problems with your application, so they can be dealt with immediately. You also must attend your US Embassy/Consulate interview yourself in person in Ireland. We also post all important documents to your Irish address, so you will need to be there to receive them.

Yes, you can apply now and secure your work papers. Your work papers can start anytime between AFTER you receive your exam results and on or before the 31st December 2023.

You do not need to have your official graduation ceremony in order to apply or travel, you just need to have completed and passed your degree before you can travel.

There are restrictions to the internship that can be completed within the teaching sector. If you were to obtain a job within the teaching field your position could not allow you to intern hands on with any students. Essentially you cannot intern as a teacher in the USA. Training in teaching cannot involve any direct interaction with students, all positions must be observation only. If you feel you could gain experience from an observational position, or possibly a research or development based role within the teaching field and you meet all other eligibility requirements then you can apply for the 1 Year Graduate USA Programme.

CIEE will organize and offer cultural activities and opportunities for you during your Intern/Trainee program in the U.S. These opportunities include the monthly Culture Guide, local networking events, periodic email newsletters, the Civic Leadership Summit, and additional cultural activities that may be offered to you by your Host Organization, your home-country CIEE representative, and/or the U.S. Department of State during your program.

• Your supervisor must be available to speak with a CIEE representative after submitting the DS-7002 Training Plan and discuss the training program
• Your supervisor must complete and return the mid-point and final evaluations
• Your host organization must have a Worker’s Compensation policy in place that provides coverage to you during the training program
• You must have 1 intern to every 5 employees

We have you covered in case of cancellation due to Covid-19. Our COVID REFUND PROMISE, which guarantees that our customers will receive a full refund of monies paid less a €49 administration fee, if you cannot participate in your booked programme due to a travel restriction(s). Travel restrictions are outlined in our query about how you are covered during Covid-19.

No. You need to be a recent graduate from full time education (within 1 years, min level 6 major award) from a recognised ROI or NI college/University and hold an Irish passport. All applicants must show proof of return to Ireland.

No. You must be registered or travel within 1 years of course completion from a University within the 32 counties of Ireland. However, you could potentially be eligible for our Internship programme - see www.usavisa.ie/internship for more details.

Yes, as long as you meet all eligibility requirements.

Of course. Regardless of how many times you went to the US with a J1 Summer Work and Travel visa, you can apply for the 1 year Graduate visa provided you meet all eligibility requirements. You will need to wait until you withdraw from your J1 programme or until your visa expires to be able to lodge your application for the 1 year Graduate USA Programme and some hiatus rules apply in certain situations i.e. returning to the same employer. You can email workusa@usit.ie for more information on your specific situation.

If you have previously participated on an Intern/Grad Program, you are subject to rules regarding repeat programs. Per U.S. Department of State guidelines for second programs, we require a minimum waiting period of 90 days before you may return for a second internship program if you are returning to the same host organization and you should be travelling on the Internship USA programme and not the Grad Visa programme. If you are coming back to train at a new host organization, there is no waiting period between CIEE Internship USA programs. Ie You cannot return to the same employer on the Grad Visa.

Restrictions

Your situation	Minimum waiting period between programs
You completed a program as an Intern / Grad and you still qualify as an intern	No wait time provided you do not return to the same host organisation. You should travel on the Internship USA programme if returning to the same employer and there is a 90 day wait time.
You completed a program as an intern and you now qualify as a trainee	2 years required by U.S. Department of State
You completed a program as a trainee and you wish to do another trainee program	2 years required by U.S. Department of State
You completed a program as a trainee and you now qualify as an intern	90 days required by CIEE if intending to return to the same host organization

How do I apply?

Contact USIT to determine if you are eligible. You must still meet all Programme eligibility i.e. you need to travel to the USA within 1 year of completion of your coursework. If you wish to return to the same host organization at which you completed an internship before, your new training should be different from the original training. Your training plan should demonstrate that you are learning new and different skills—training in a different department, for example. You must wait 90 days before returning to the same host organization.

**Visas are granted at the discretion of the US Embassy / Consulate**

No, you must return to Ireland to make the application for the new programme. Please note you must meet all programme eligibility requirements to be able to apply for the 1 year USA Graduate Programme and be in a position to re-enter the US and start your programme no more than 1 years from completion of coursework. Some hiatus rules apply in certain situations i.e. returning to the same employer. You can email workusa@usit.ie for more information on your specific situation.

No, you are not permitted to change visa classes while in the US; you would need to return to your country of permanent residence in order to apply for a new visa. The US Embassy/Consulate may query you on why you wish to spend so much time in the US.

Yes, however they must be able to provide firm evidence that they will have access to at least USD$1000 per month in order to support themselves throughout the entire period of their stay in the US. This can be in the form of a guarantor in Ireland or through proof of savings. Please note you CANNOT hold any other employment while in the US to fund your stay (i.e. in bars/restaurants,etc).

NO! As with the US Summer Work & Travel Programme, the 1 year Graduate USA visa is a J1 class visa, and it is not possible to have two J1 visas running back to back concurrently. As such, if a participant on the US Summer Work & Travel Programme wants to apply for the 1 year Graduate USA programme, they must return home to Ireland to do so. You can however potentially be returning on the 1 year programme in 6-8 weeks. Some hiatus rules apply in certain situations i.e. returning to the same employer. You can email workusa@usit.ie for more information on your specific situation.

Unfortunately no. You cannot make an application for any dependents to accompany you on the 1 year Graduate USA programme. They can go and visit you on a holiday visa, but cannot stay with you for the duration of your visa.

Unfortunately not. In order to qualify for the programme you must have completed your course through classroom based learning on a full time basis.

USIT require an initial deposit of EUR149 at the time of booking, with a further €450 due 20 days later, with the balance due 12 weeks prior to departure

The Visa Application Fee is a separate fee that the US State Department requires from you in order for them to process your paperwork. This fee is paid directly to the US Embassy and has nothing to do with either USIT or CIEE.

See above: General, Q3.

SEVIS stands for Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. SEVIS was implemented post 9/11 in order to allow the US Government to track the location of all participants on student exchange based programmes, including the 1 year Graduate USA programme. The system is now fully implemented and the US Government has levied a fee to cover the administrative costs of the system. You must pay this fee in order to obtain your J1 visa from the US Embassy/Consulate. USIT/CIEE arrange payment for you and will supply you with a SEVIS receipt (I-797 or I-901) with your DS-2019 before your appointment with the US Embassy/Consulate.

The processing time is generally 6 to 8 weeks, however it can take more or less time depending on your individual application.

You must submit a bank statement to the US Embassy/Consulate and at US Immigration in order to prove that you can support yourself and will not pose a burden on the US Government. Keep in mind that you should have sufficient start up funds (min $2,000) as your first pay cheque may not become available to you until you've been there for a little while.

Unfortunately no, the US Government feels a bank statement is the best and most accurate way of reflecting your financial status. Please ask your bank to provide you with a bank statement before you attend your Interview at the US Embassy. Your statement should be dated within the last 30 days.

Yes, US immigration can decide to allow or not allow you into the US even if the US Embassy has granted your visa, so we recommend that you have another set of these documents when going through US Immigration.

You MUST have a valid passport at the time of application. We will need to check the dates of your passport, which must remain valid throughout your stay in the US. We also have to match your passport to all of your documents in order to have your DS-2019 printed correctly.

No, your passport must be valid for your entire stay. If it is not you will need to apply for a new passport with the appropriate validity before you submit your application for the programme.

No, your passport must be valid for the full 1 year validity of your 1 year Graduate USA visa. Without a valid passport we are unable to process your application.

It is essential you carry your important documents (passport, DS-2019, etc) with you at all times. However, in the case of lost or stolen documents please follow the steps below.

Passport: Contact your closest Consulate/Embassy for a new passport.

If you require more information on how to acquire new documents that have been lost or stolen please contact CIEE on 1-888-268-6245 or USIT at workusa@usit.ie.

You cannot leave / re-enter the US on your replacment passport. If travelling outside of the US on your replacement passport you will need to contact the US Consulate in the country you are travelling to to arrange a new visa. YOU WILL NOT BE PERMITTED TO ENTER THE USA WITHOUT A VISA.

After you have received your DS2019, you will need to attend an Interview at the US Embassy/Consulate where they will vet your application and issue your Visa if it is approved. The US Embassy (generally within 5 days of your Interview) will post your documents to a sorting office of your choice. You will need to arrange your own US Embassy interview - you will be notified of how to do this in your Welcome Pack.

Once your DS2019 has been issued and sent to you, you will need to book and attend an interview at the US Embassy/Consulate. USIT can no longer arrange this for you. Your 'Welcome Pack' will be sent to you shortly after we receive your completed documents and will detail the documents and information required for your US Embassy/Consulate interview. Your DS-2019 will be issued to you shortly before your appointment date provided you have booked and paid for your flights and insurance and there have not been any delays in processing your application.

Yes, the US Embassy/Consulate require that all participants supply a letter of Return Evidence to illustrate that they are returning to Ireland once your programme is completed. This can be a letter showing an intention to return to studies or to a job here in Ireland. You MUST have this, if you do not your application will be rejected. This programme is a temporary exchange visitor programme and should not be viewed as a springboard to stay in the US permanently.

It is the 'Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor J-1 Status', which is the document that entitles you to apply for a J1 Visa. You cannot obtain a J1 Visa without a DS-2019. Similarly your J-1 visa is not valid without your DS-2019. Only the two documents together grant you permission to live and intern in the US.

YES! You must keep your original DS2019 in a safe place and with you throughout your stay in the US and you will need to take it with you if you travel outside of the country. We also recommend that you keep a photocopy of this and all of your travel documents in a safe place just in case something happens to them.

YES! If you lose your DS2019 while you are still in Ireland contact USIT straight away and we will arrange getting a replacement for you. If you lose it while you are in the US you will need to contact CIEE straight away. You may have to pay a fee for the issuance of a new document.

You are permitted to travel as 30 days before and after your DS 2019 start dates (provided you have Insurance to cover you for this duration). You are only permitted to intern for 1 year.

The 1 Year Graduate USA programme is valid for 1 year and your work papers will reflect this. You cannot extend past 1 years.

No. You must be a registered participant on a US Government authorised work exchange programme or have other official US Visa documentation for other visa types. The US Embassy does not issue work visas (J1) without the necessary Work Authorisation from a US Government approved legal sponsor. CIEE is the approved legal sponsor of our programme and can issue such Authorisations - the DS-2019. Without a DS-2019 you cannot apply for a J1 visa.

No. The regulations on this programme do not allow you to study at a US institution while there.

Provided you have a valid multiple entry J-1 visa stamped into your passport you may leave and return to the USA as many times as you wish as long as you get your DS-2019 signed before departure or obtain a 'letter of good standing' from CIEE. Please also note that your DS-2019, J-1 visa, and passport must be valid in order to re-enter the U.S. Lastly, make sure it states 'M' under 'Entries' on your J-1 Visa. If it states 'S' or '1,' you will not be able to re-enter the U.S. to finish your trainee program. You are not permitted to leave and re-enter the USA within your 30 day grace period at the end of your visa.Please check your visa before you depart for the US and be sure to raise any questions on this by emailing workusa@usit.ie.

Yes, but you will have to follow the procedures outlined above as these rules apply to any travel outside the US. Travel to the Tijuana metropolitan area incl. Rosarito in Mexico is prohibited on this programme. If you travelled to the Tijuana metropolitan area on your J1 in 2015 or 2016 you will not be permitted on this programme.

Yes, but you will have to follow the procedures outlined above as these rules apply to any travel outside the US and you will have to do this before your DS-2019 and J1 visa expiry dates. Please note, if you return to Ireland your insurance will not cover you for your stay in Ireland. Check out your insurance policy for how long you can come home.

If you stay outside the USA for 30 days or more, your DS2019 will become invalid and you will not be able to return.

You have 90 days once you land in the USA to secure an internship. Get valuable face time with future employers and secure the best position for you by interviewing in person. However we always recommend that you do as much research as possible before you go to make sure you are picking the best location for the industry you will be looking for a position in.

Yes, your placement in the US must be an Internship. It cannot be replacing American workers or filling a general labour need. Below are some things you need to keep in mind when you secure a position in the US:

1. The position is related to your field of study - i.e. what you studied in college.
2. The training you will receive in your position is progressive - i.e. you will clearly be developing your skills and knowledge.
3. You will receive constant supervision and be regularly evaluated by your company throughout your Internship.
4. Your company will cover you under their Workers Compensation Insurance Policy.
5. The company has a business premises (i.e. no home office internship allowed), company website, and Tax Id. Number.
6. There must be a ratio of at least 5 full-time employees to 1 Intern.

If your position fulfills all of the above, CIEE, your US Sponsor will be able to vet the position. Once CIEE approve the Internship placement, you may begin work.

No, although we do recommend this and you are as prepared as possible. You have 90 days once you land in the USA to secure an internship.

With your initial internship application you will need to submit an original or certified copy of a bank statement showing access to $1000 multiplied by the number of months you will be in the US or a letter from a guarantor here in Ireland stating that they will support you. If you have a guarantor then the information for the US Sponsor, CIEE will need to be more detailed and you may be asked to submit bank statements or pay slips from your guarantor.

No. The US regulations on this programme prohibit holding any other job (e.g. more than 1 at the same time) while you are on this Visa. If you do so you risk losing your Sponsorship and Visa and may be deported from the US.

YES! Medical, veterinary, health, childcare and housekeeper positions are not authorised under the J-1 Internship visa. There are also some positions that fall under the US Government's Unskilled Occupation list.

Yes! However you must complete all of the relevant documentation on the Financial Sponsorship form and you will need to furnish the US Sponsor, CIEE with proof of funds and a letter from your financial sponsor stating the amount of money they will furnish you with and how they will get it to you while you are in the US.

Yes, participants are responsible for paying ALL income taxes, which apply to your area. However, you do not have to pay Social Security, Medicare or Federal Unemployment Taxes.

Before you can file your tax return you will need to obtain a W-2 from your Host Company. US Employers are required to post these to all employees no later than 31 January every year, so you should receive this by mid-February. Make sure that your Host Company has your correct address. The 1040NR-EZ is the form you must complete for your Federal taxes. You will also need to obtain your W-2 form from your employer at the end of the year. If you paid any State or Local taxes, you will need to get any State / Local tax forms that are applicable to you - these can often be obtained via the web or through local government offices in your area of the US.

You can obtain all Federal tax forms from the IRS web site: www.irs.gov. You may also obtain the federal tax form from the American Embassy outside of the U.S. To obtain State tax forms, look in the blue pages of any local telephone book in the U.S. to find your state tax office address. Local libraries, post offices and town/city halls also may have state, federal and local tax forms.

Yes. Whether you are paid or not you are 'employed.' The company you train with will also have to have a social security number for you for tax purposes. Plus, if you are going to return to the USA on another visa in the future, you can use the same number again.

It is essential you carry your important documents (passport, DS-2019, etc) with you at all times. However, in the case of lost or stolen documents please follow the steps below.

Social Security Card: Contact your local Social Security Office to apply for a replacement card. DO NOT apply for a new card.

Yes. Just not at the same time. If you find an internship for 3 months, you can then move onto another internship in another state or city for another 3 months, and so on. As long as there is time left on your visa and each internship is related to your field of study, this is no problem!

Unfortunately not. You are not allowed to do any part time or unskilled internship on this programme.

Yes, you can travel to anywhere in the US.