Internship Abroad
J-1 Internship Program USA

J-1 Internship Program USA

The J-1 Exchange Visitor Program is a non-immigrant visa program that promotes educational and cultural exchange between the USA and other nations. Konsultan Visa partners with multiple designated sponsors to offer paid hospitality internship and trainee opportunities across the United States.

🧾 General Eligibility

J1 Interns

  • Must be a current student or recent graduate (within 12 months) from a post-secondary institution (offline/online)
  • Eligible programs: Vocational, Diploma (D1/D2/D3/D4), S1, or S2

J1 Trainees

  • Graduated more than 12 months ago and:
    • Have 1+ year of relevant work experience outside the USA, or
    • Have 5+ years of total work experience outside the USA
  • Must have 1–5 years of hotel experience in the same role applied for

Note: If not graduated from a hospitality school, you must have at least 5 years of experience in the same position.

✅ Program Requirements

  • Age: 18–35 years old
  • J1 Interns: Minimum 6 months of hospitality work experience
  • J1 Trainees: 1–5 years of hotel experience (same position) or recent graduate (within the last 5 years)
  • Education: Minimum 6 months full-time study in a hospitality program
  • English: Good conversational skills
  • Passport: Valid for 6+ months beyond program end date
  • Graduation Timeline: Recent graduates must have finished within the past 12 months (for Interns)

Education Requirements by Background

Education BackgroundRequired Hospitality Work Experience
SMK/SMA GraduateMinimum 5 years
Hospitality D1 GraduateMinimum 1 year
Non-Hospitality S1/S2 GraduateMinimum 1 years

💵 Program Benefits

  • Salary: USD $8–$20/hour (varies by sponsor and location)
  • Tips/Service Charge: Shared tips in addition to hourly wage
  • Working Hours: 30–40 hours per week (minimum 32 hours guaranteed)
  • Housing & Transportation: May be provided depending on company policy
  • Experience: Cultural exchange, career training & international exposure
  • Grace Period: 30-day travel period after program ends (no work allowed)

⏳ Program Duration

  • 6 to 18 months

📌 Available Positions

  • Front Office
  • Food & Beverage (F&B) Service
  • Culinary / Food Production
  • Business
  • Engineering
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Finance
  • Agriculture
  • Crops
  • Horticulture
  • Greenhouse
  • Livestock
  • Viticulture

Note: No advanced training positions available. 2nd-time J1 applicants must apply for a different position with relevant experience.

🎯 Program Objectives

  • Enhance mutual understanding between people of the U.S. and your country
  • Participate in cross-cultural activities with Americans
  • Return home to share your U.S. experience and knowledge

🏨 Training Locations

Our partner sponsors place interns at prestigious hotels and resorts across the United States, including:

  • Luxury Hotels: Hyatt, Hilton, Marriott, Westin, The Four Seasons, InterContinental
  • Country Clubs: Exclusive private clubs offering premium F&B service experience
  • Resorts: Various locations across multiple states
  • Farms & Agricultural Operations: Crop farms, livestock farms, dairy farms
  • Agribusiness Facilities: Greenhouses, nurseries, food production and processing facilities
  • Agricultural Research & Training Centers: Facilities focused on modern farming techniques and sustainability
  • Corporate Offices: Business, management, marketing, and finance training environments
  • Manufacturing & Industrial Facilities: Production, quality control, and operations training
  • Logistics & Supply Chain Companies: Warehousing, distribution, and operations support
  • IT & Technology Companies: Software firms, system support providers, and tech startups

💰 Financial Requirements

  • Before J-1 visa interview, you must show financial proof (e.g., parent's account)
  • Minimum USD $10,000 (past 3 months' bank statements)
  • Financially ready for personal expenses before first paycheck

📜 Our Partners

We collaborate with U.S. State Department-designated sponsors and J-1 program provider including:

All sponsors are authorized to issue DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status).

Application & Placement Process

1. Online Registration Form

2. Initial Registration Payment

  • Pay the initial registration fee (*)

3. English Test

  • Take the English language proficiency test

4. Psychology Test

  • Take the psychology test to assess your suitability for the program

5. First Interview (1st Interview)

  • Schedule and complete the first interview

6. Final Registration Payment

  • Pay the final registration fee (*)

7. Document Collection

  • Submit all required documents

8. Medical Check-Up (MCU)

  • Complete the medical check-up (*)

9. Second Interview (2nd Interview)

  • Schedule and complete the second interview

10. Hotel Placement

  • Placement secured: 2–4 weeks (faster if flexible & cooperative)

11. Third Interview (3rd Interview)

  • Schedule and complete the third interview

12. Main Program Fee Payment

  • Pay the main program fee (*)

13. Letter of Acceptance (LoA) Submission

  • Submit the Letter of Acceptance (LoA)

14. Visa Documents & Payment

  • Submit and pay for the visa documents (SEVIS & DS-160) and visa fee (*)

15. Travel to Jakarta for Visa Process

  • Travel to Jakarta for the visa process (*)

16. Visa Interview

  • Schedule and complete the visa interview

17. Flight Ticket Purchase

  • Purchase the flight ticket to the United States (*)

18. Final Briefing & Document Check

  • Attend the final briefing and document check before departure

📑 Required Documents

Submit all as digital copies. You must have a passport to start the process.

  • Valid passport (color copy)
  • National ID card
  • Academic certificates and transcripts
  • Employment letters (current & previous, on company letterhead)
  • Professional photo
  • Bank statement showing minimum USD $10,000

⚠️ Important Notes

  • Cultural Activities: Participation in cross-cultural activities is mandatory
  • Non-Immigrant Intent: You must intend to return home after the program
  • Grace Period: 30 days after program end for travel only (not work)
  • Visa Rule 212(e): Some participants must return home for 2 years before applying for certain U.S. visas (H, L, K, immigrant)
  • Extensions: Possible on a case-by-case basis (fees apply)
  • Repeat Participation: Must wait 2 years before reapplying; must show more advanced training objectives

🌐 Additional Resources

📞 Contact Us

Ready to start your J-1 internship journey in the USA?

Email: admin@konsultanvisa.com Subject: J1_FULLNAME_POSITION

Our team will guide you through every step of the process, from eligibility check to visa approval and placement!

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