Planning an Internship or Traineeship in the U.S.?
Here’s What You Need to Know: If you’re a student or early career professional looking to intern or train in the United States, you’ll need more than just an internship offer - you’ll need the right visa. In most cases, that means applying for a J-1 Visa.
What is a J-1 Visa for Interns and Trainees?
The J-1 Visa is a U.S. visa specifically designed for educational and cultural exchange. It allows international students and early career professionals to gain hands-on experience in an American company, while also getting to know U.S. life and culture. It’s time-limited, which means you can live and train in the U.S. for the duration of your internship or training program - typically from a few months and up to 12 or even 18 months, depending on the program category. You can find the two different J-1 program categories below.
To apply for a J-1 Visa, you must go through a designated sponsor - an organization authorized by the U.S. Department of State to support and issue the necessary documents, like the DS-2019 form.
As a designated J-1 Visa sponsor for over 20 years, BelCham has brought over 1,000 talented individuals from 52 countries to the U.S., partnering with more than 600 companies. With Belgian roots and a global reach, we provide the expertise and support to help you navigate the J-1 Visa process with confidence. Whether you’re from Belgium, Europe, or beyond - if you’re qualified and motivated, we’re here to help.
Here’s how we can support you:
Ready to Get Started? Here's What to Do Next
If you already secured an internship and know you're eligible (based on the requirements listed below), you're ready for the next step. Click the button to start your official J-1 Visa application at BelCham. You can view the timeline of the J-1 Visa process below.
Curious about how the J-1 Visa works, how to find an internship, or how to prepare your CV for a U.S. company? Sign up for our free info session, hosted every two weeks by our J-1 Visa Director, where we’ll answer all your questions and share tips.
Have a specific question about internships, eligibility, or the J-1 Visa process? Or, to schedule your introductory call, please use the contact form and our team will get back to you.
Be sure to check the FAQ section below, your question may already be answered there.
J-1 Visa Process Overview
The process to obtain a J-1 Visa includes several required steps - from preparing your documents and submitting your request to BelCham, to completing the official U.S. visa procedure. Below is a step-by-step overview of what you need to do as an applicant.
J-1 Internships and Traineeships
INTERNSHIP
The internship category is open to current students and recent graduates (within 12 months of graduation). It offers the opportunity to gain practical, hands-on experience at a U.S. company in your field of study. Review the eligibility criteria and pricing below to see if you qualify.
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You are at least 18 years old.
Your English level is proficient.
Your internship must align with your course of study.
You are currently enrolled in and pursuing studies at a foreign degree or certificate-granting post-secondary academic institution outside the United States.
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You have graduated from such an institution no more than 12 months prior to the start date of your exchange visitor program.
Unsure about your eligibility? Don’t hesitate to contact Jeanette here.
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To apply for a J-1 Visa through BelCham, the following memberships and fees apply.
1. Applicant Membership
All applicants are required to hold an active BelCham membership
Brights Membership: Under 30 years old - USD 50/year
Individual Membership: 30 years old and older - USD 250/year
2. Host Company Membership
The host company in the U.S. must hold an active Business Membership with BelCham
• Business Membership – USD 900 (paid by the host company)
3. Program Fee (based on internship or traineeship duration)
• 1–6 months: USD 950.00
• 6–12 months: USD 1,350.00
• Extension (if applicable): USD 150.00
• Host company change (if applicable): USD 400.00
These fees do not include mandatory U.S. Department of State fees (paid directly by the applicant)
As a non-profit sponsor, our fees are often lower than commercial providers, always aligned with fair market rates.
TRAINEESHIP
The Traineeship category is intended for graduates with at least one year of relevant work experience, or for professionals with five or more years of experience in their field.
It allows participants to develop their skills further through structured training at a U.S. company. See the eligibility criteria below to determine if you qualify.
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You are at least 18 years old.
Your English level is proficient.
You have a degree or professional certificate from a foreign post-secondary academic institution and at least one year of prior related work experience in your occupational field outside the United States.
-OR-
You have five years of work experience outside the United States in the occupational field in which you are seeking training.
Unsure about your eligibility? Don’t hesitate to contact Jeanette here.
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1. Applicant Membership
All applicants are required to hold an active BelCham membership
Brights Membership: Under 30 years old - USD 50/year
Individual Membership: 30 years old and older - USD 250/year
2. Host Company Membership
The host company in the U.S. must hold an active Business Membership with BelCham
• Business Membership – USD 900 (one-time, paid by the host company)
3. Program Fee (based on internship or traineeship duration)
• 1–6 months: USD 950.00
• 6–12 months: USD 1,350.00
• Extension (if applicable): USD 150.00
• Host company change (if applicable): USD 400.00
These fees do not include mandatory U.S. Department of State fees (paid directly by the applicant)
As a non-profit sponsor, our fees are often lower than commercial providers, always aligned with fair market rates.
Use our contact form to contact Jeanette, our J-1 Visa Director, for helpful tips about housing, banking, health insurance, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
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A visa is an official authorization issued by a country that allows you to enter and stay for a specific purpose, such as tourism, study, work, or exchange. Whether or not you need a visa - and which type - depends on your nationality, destination country, and the purpose and duration of your stay.
For example, if you're planning to do an internship or professional training, you'll likely need a J-1 Visa. Each visa has its own rules, documents, and conditions - so it's important to apply for the correct one based on your plans. -
The J-1 Visa is a U.S. visa for people who come to the United States as part of a cultural exchange program. It allows international students, recent graduates, and young professionals to do an internship or training in the U.S. to gain practical experience.
To get a J-1 Visa, you need to go through an official sponsor (like BelCham), who helps with the paperwork, ensures everything is legal, and supports you before, during, and after your stay.
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Maybe, it depends on your background, your studies or work experience, and your internship or training plans. You can find the eligibility criteria on our website. If anything is unclear, feel free to contact Jeanette through our contact form.
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Interns are students or recent graduates (within 12 months) whose internship is directly related to their field of study. Trainees, on the other hand, are professionals who already have a degree and at least one year of relevant work experience - or five years of experience in the field they want to train in. Both must be at least 18 years old and speak proficient English, but the main difference lies in education status and work experience.
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You are responsible for finding your own internship or traineeship, but BelCham is here to support you. Join our J-1 Info Session for helpful strategies.
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BelCham membership:
$50/year if you’re under 30 years old (which also gives access to BelCham Brights events)
$250/year if you’re 30+ (which also gives access to BelCham Brights events)
J-1 admin fees (may be shared with your host company):
1-6 months: $950
6-12 months: $1350
12-18 months: $1850
U.S. Government Fees:Embassy fees: $185
SEVIS: $220
Visa pickup or delivery: $0 - $35, depending on the embassy and the choice of delivery of your J-1 Visa.Note: dollar ($) is not the same price as euro (€)!
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No, BelCham provides assistance throughout the whole visa process for any nationality.
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Processing times vary depending on the U.S. embassy. BelCham can complete the documents needed in under 3 days. The average processing time is between 5 - 7 weeks.
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Yes, you need a confirmed internship or traineeship in the U.S. to start your J-1 Visa application.
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Congratulations. If you haven’t already, check your eligibility by reviewing the criteria on our website. If you’re eligible for the J-1 Visa Program, you can start the J-1 Visa application process by filling out this form.
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You can stay for a period of 30 days after the end date of your J-1 Visa Program.
For example if your J-1 Visa passport and DS-2019 states that the 31st of July is the end date, then you can stay in the U.S. until the 30th of August. We recommend that you do not stay until the very last day of the grace period in case a flight is cancelled or bad weather prevents your departure.
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Yes, you are legally allowed to enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the start date listed on your DS-2019 form. You may use this time to find housing, get oriented, and settle in - but you cannot begin your internship or training before the official start date of your J-1 Program.
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You can view the list of required documents here.
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You can bring your legal spouse (must be married) or your unmarried children (younger than 21) on a J-2 Visa.
Eli Aerden,
Intern at West 8 in Philadelphia
“My internship in Philadelphia has broadened my worldview and opened doors I once thought were out of reach. I am incredibly grateful to BelCham for their support. As a member of BelCham Brights, I found a community of fellow professionals with aligned goals and dreams. The experience I gained and the expanding network I was able to build, ultimately guided me toward an academic journey at an Ivy League school. I'm grateful for the journey and the people I've met along the way!”
BelCham Brights Foundation
BelCham Brights Foundation is a beacon of opportunity powered by BelCham, The National Lottery of Belgium and Ghent University. Are you a Business Engineering student at UGent, aged between 20 and 30, and dreaming of international experience, professional growth, and a life-changing adventure? Then this is exactly where you need to be.
Cindy Ansong,
Intern at Houston Youth Empowerment Services in Houston
“Uncertain about the internship process in the U.S., I reached out to BelCham for guidance, leading to my internship at Houston Youth Empowerment Services. It turned out to be an invaluable experience where I expanded my professional network, made lifelong friends, and gained insights that will undoubtedly benefit my future academic and professional endeavors. I am incredibly grateful to Jeanette, their J-1 specialist for her unwavering support throughout this journey.”