On July 17, 2026, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security published a final rule eliminating Duration of Status for certain nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors. The rule takes effect on September 15, 2026. Please visit our Duration of Status Rule Change webpage for additional information and updates.
J-1 Student intern
J-1 Student intern category
The J-1 Student Intern category is not to be confused with J-1 students who are enrolled in a degree program at ASU. The J-1 Student Intern refers only to a student currently in a degree program abroad who visits ASU to engage in a research-based internship that is integral to the curriculum of the home-school degree program to which the intern will return. The J-1 Student Intern category is typically used when the student will not yet have the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree by the start of the internship.
Eligibility
- Be enrolled and in good academic standing in an accredited postsecondary academic institution outside the United States and resume studies at the home institution upon completion of the internship.
- Be coming to engage in a structured research‐based program at Arizona State University that will fulfill the educational objectives for the current degree program abroad.
- Have verifiable English language skills sufficient to function on a day‐to‐day basis in the program (verified by your department per the J-1 Scholar English Proficiency Attestation Form and J-1 Scholar English Proficiency Interview Form).
- Intend to return to his or her academic studies following completion of the internship in order to fulfill the home country degree requirements.
- Have sufficient funding for the visit to cover living expenses ($2,500/month) and be able to provide proof of health insurance that will be valid for the duration of the stay in the U.S.
Internship requirements
- Provide a structured work-based program that will reinforce the student’s academic study upon return to the home institution.
- Be full‐time (minimum of 32 hours/week), and involve not more than 20% clerical work.
- Must not displace U.S. workers.
Application overview
Apply to the ISSC to obtain a DS-2019. We will issue the DS-2019 up to 7 business days of a complete application. This does not include weekends or ASU observed holidays. During peak seasons, processing times may be more than 7 business days as we deal with a higher volume of requests.
- Submit the application 2-6 months before the start date. This allows time for the student intern to apply for a visa at a U.S. Consulate.
- J-1 Student Intern stay is normally limited to a year.
Sponsoring a J-1 student intern
Your department should submit a draft of the Training/Internship Placement Plan to the ISSC for initial review. Once complete, send the form to [email protected] for review. We will notify the department whether to move forward. Please consult with our office if you have a prospective scholar who may be in this category.
Submit your DS-7002 form and DS-2019 Student Intern application packet. Be sure to include these supporting documents:
- Invitation/offer letter
- J Medical Insurance Requirement form
- J-1 Scholar English Proficiency Attestation form
- J-1 Scholar English Proficiency Interview form
- Copy of passport page with biographical information for the scholar and for any accompanying J-2 family member
- Funding documentation
- Certification of Academic Status from home university
- Signed Student Intern Attestation
- Signed Departmental Attestation
- Previous DS-2019 form(s) (if applicable)
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Submit the original DS-7002 with a supervisor's original signature. Deliver to Discovery Hall, Suite 172.
Up to 7 business days of receiving a completed application, you will receive an email confirming the student's DS-2019 package is ready for pick up. This does not include weekends or ASU observed holidays. During peak seasons, processing times may be more than 7 business days as we deal with a higher volume of requests. We will also include a copy of the student's DS-2019 for your records.
Funding documentation
Funding documentation showing ability to cover current estimates of monthly living expenses.
How to show documentation of funds:
- an official dated bank statement must be provided
- all accounts must be easily accessible and liquid assets
- all documents must be in English (otherwise, an official English translation must accompany the original)
- all supporting documentation must be dated within the last six months
- letters of sponsorship must include exact amount of support and dates of sponsorship
Estimates of monthly living expenses:
- $2,500/month for the J-1
- $1000/month for J-2 spouse and each dependent
Extending a J-1 student intern
The maximum duration for J-1 Student Intern is 12 months. Funding for additional time is $1,400/month.
Submit a new DS-7002 application and supporting documents to the ISSC via email.
Supporting documents include:
- Statement from home school verifying the extension of internship is approved
- Funding documentation
- Proof of medical insurance coverage
Up to 7 business days of receiving a completed application, we will contact the student via e-mail when the student's DS-7002 package is ready for pick up. This does not include weekends or ASU observed holidays. During peak seasons, processing times may be more than 7 business days as we deal with a higher volume of requests. We will also send you a copy of the student's DS-7002 via campus mail.
Reporting requirements
The hosting faculty supervisor must complete an Intern Evaluation form at the end of Student Intern's stay.
- All internships require a final evaluation
- Internships lasting longer than six months also require at least one additional evaluation at the midpoint of the program
- A copy of each evaluation must be sent to our office