Unless you are a part of a special program through a CDS partner, you must secure an internship or training position at a U.S. company before applying to the USA Internship Program.
» How to find an internship in the U.S.

Request access to the online application. A CDS representative will review your request and send you login and application instructions if you meet basic eligibility requirements. Once you have received your login and application instructions, complete the online application form and upload the following materials:

• Resume in English, U.S. format — view some sample resumes.
• Photocopy of passport photo page. Please upload a full-color copy, if possible. Note that your passport must be valid for six months beyond the end of your program.
• Photocopies of any previous non-tourist U.S. visas
• Photocopies of university transcripts and/or diplomas in English. If you are unable to obtain these, please upload a letter from your university that states how long you have been enrolled. This letter must be in English and signed by a university official.
• Proof of English language proficiency, if available. This might include one of the following: TOEFL, Cambridge, or other accredited English language test scores or signed documentation from an academic institution or English language school. If you cannot verify your English language proficiency by these means, CDS will test your English language proficiency by conducting a phone interview.
• Letter of Employment (TRAINEES ONLY): This letter must verify one year of work experience outside of the US. It must be on company letterhead, signed by your supervisor, and include your employment dates.

You will receive an invoice from CDS for your program, health insurance, and SEVIS fees at the beginning of the application process. Payment of these fees must be received before CDS can process your application and issue Form DS-2019. Please notify your CDS representative whether you, your U.S. host company, or a third party will pay your fees. CDS accepts payment via credit card, money order, bank transfer, or check. Please note that checks must be written in U.S. dollars and drawn on a U.S. bank account.

The U.S. Department of State requires all J-1 interns/trainees to have health insurance that meets their requirements. Although you may maintain your private health insurance, CDS requires all participants in the USA Internship Program to purchase coverage through our group policy in order to ensure that U.S. government requirements are met. Find out more about J-1 Health Insurance.

The U.S. government charges a fee of US$180 to cover the cost of maintaining their exchange visitor database SEVIS). All exchange visitors to the U.S., including those on the J-1 visa, must pay this fee. CDS will arrange payment on your behalf and will email your unique SEVIS ID to you so that you may schedule an interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate (see Step 7 below).

We will also mail you a hard copy of the SEVIS receipt. Keep this receipt—it must be presented at the U.S. Consulate during the visa interview.

The Training/Internship Placement Plan is an official government document that gives you, CDS, and the U.S. Department of State a detailed description of your internship/training program in the United States. Your host company will complete this form and send it to CDS for approval. Once CDS has approved it, we will send it to you for your review and signature. Once you sign it, you must scan it to PDF and either email the signed document to your CDS representative or upload it to your online application.

You will be sent a final copy of the T/IPP along with Form DS-2019 and your SEVIS receipt via FedEx. These documents must be presented at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy during your visa interview.

Once you have submitted your online application and signed T/IPP, a CDS representative will review your application and contact you if additional information is needed, or if a phone interview is necessary. This interview is required by the U.S. Department of State and assesses your reasons for applying for an internship/training program in the U.S., academic and/or professional background, and English language skills.

Once your application is complete and all fees have been paid, CDS will issue Form DS-2019 to you. Form DS-2019 is an official government document that confirms your eligibility for a J-1 visa and contains important details about your internship/training program in the U.S. Only designated Exchange Visitor Program Sponsors, such as CDS, may issue Form DS-2019: You may not receive this form without a visa sponsor.

CDS will send Form DS-2019 to you via FedEx along with a copy of your Training/Internship Placement Plan, the receipt for the SEVIS fee payment, and additional program information. You must present Form DS-2019, the Training/Internship Placement Plan, and the SEVIS fee receipt to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate at your interview (see Step 7 below). You will also need to present these documents to a U.S. Customs & Border Patrol agent when you enter the U.S. on the J-1 visa.

Please note that you will need to sign and date the bottom of Form DS-2019 and keep it in your personal files following the program—you will need it should you ever apply for another visa to the U.S.

All J-1 visa applicants except Canadian citizens must attend an interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate interview in order to receive the J-1 visa^*. Once your CDS representative has instructed you to do so, you may schedule an interview with the U.S. Embassy or Consulate nearest to you.

^*Note: Canadian citizens are not required to attend a U.S. consular interview to receive their J-1 visa. They will receive J-1 visa status when entering the United States. Please be prepared to present all of the forms listed above to a U.S. Customs & Border Patrol agent.

You will need to bring the following documents with you to your interview

• Passport
• Copies of all previous visas to the U.S.
• Passport-sized photo taken within the last six months
• Form DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility) — original, signed version
• Training/Internship Placement Plan (Form DS-7002) — copy of the original, signed version
• SEVIS fee receipt (Form I-797)
• Evidence of personal funds — bank statement
• Evidence of personal ties to home country — university enrollment letter/proof of family ties
• Visa application form(s) as required by the Consulate or Embassy you visit. These might include Form DS-156, Form DS-157, and Form DS-158, or only Form DS-160; please ask the U.S. Embassy or Consulate you will be visiting which forms you will need.

Immediately following the interview, officials at the Embassy or Consulate will begin processing your visa application. You will need to give them your passport and Form DS-2019. Your passport will be returned to you with the J-1 visa attached inside. Form DS-2019 will be sent to you in a sealed envelope. Do not open this envelope under any conditions. Only a U.S. Customs & Border Patrol agent is authorized to open this and will do so when you enter the United States.

Each U.S. Embassy and Consulate operates differently, so there may be some exceptions. Allow up to one week to pass for the processing of the visa.

Once you have received your passport with the J-1 visa and Form DS-2019, you may begin preparing for your trip. Find out more information about entering the U.S. and getting settled in your new home.