rd

5000 Forbes Ave, Warner Hall 3 Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

Phone: (412) 268-5231 Email: oie@andrew.cmu.edu Web: www.cmu.edu/oie

J-1 Student Intern

General Information
Internships allow students/trainees the opportunity to gain practical knowledge in a specific field - often
the field in which they are engaged in study. Internships may be paid or unpaid however, international
visitors who will be paid must have employment authorization before beginning the internship and
unpaid internships must adhere to US Department of Labor guidelines. There are both immigration
regulations and labor issues to consider when developing an internship program. In general, an intern
cannot displace a regular employee and must work under close observation. The intention of an
internship program is not to give advantage to Carnegie Mellon but to create the opportunity to mentor
and provide students with opportunities for experience in the field.
Departments who are developing internship programs or planning to host student interns should first
consult Human Resources guidance on Interns: www.cmu.edu/hr/recruit_staff/forms/restrict/Internships.pdf.
In particular, the host department needs to make sure the internship complies with the Department of
Labor Trainee/Learner Test:
Department of Labor Trainee/Learner Test:
1. The training is similar to what would be given in a vocational school or academic educational
institution;
2. The training is for the benefit of the trainee or student;
3. The trainee or student does not displace regular employees, but work under close observation;
4. The employer derives no immediate advantage from the activities of the trainee or student, and on
occasion the employers operations may be impeded;
5. The trainee or student is not necessarily entitled to a job at the conclusion of the training period; and
6. The trainee or student understands that they are not entitled to wages for the time spent in training.
The J-1 Student Intern Category is available for foreign nationals currently enrolled in and pursuing a
degree at an accredited post-secondary academic institution outside of the United States (US) to
participate in an internship in the US. The US internship must fulfill the educational objectives of the
students current degree program at their home institution. Student interns may participate in an
internship program in the US for up to 12 months at each degree level.
If the internship meets Department of Labor and Carnegie Mellon requirements, the host department
should contact OIE for issuance of the appropriate visa documents. In most cases, for interns who are
still students abroad, the appropriate immigration status will be J-1 Student Intern. The purpose of the J1 Student Intern program is to promote international exchange. At Carnegie Mellon University, the J-1
Student Intern category is appropriate for students enrolled in degree programs outside of the US who
will be participating in internship programs at CMU. Students must be in good academic standing with
their home institution and are expected to return to that institution to fulfill their degree requirements
upon completion of the US internship.

Updated 4/25/2014

To qualify for J-1 Student Intern visas, the internship program must:

Fulfill the educational objectives for the Student Interns degree program at their home institution
Be full-time (at least 32 hours per week) and consist of no more than 20% clerical work
Expose the Student Intern to US techniques, methodologies and technology; expand upon the
Student Interns existing knowledge and skills and not duplicate prior experience
Consist of work-based learning and not place the Student Intern in any position that involves
unskilled or casual labor, child or elder care, aviation, or any other work involving patient care
Not involve a staffing or employment agency; not displace US workers; nor fill to serve a labor
need

Student Intern Requirements

The applicant is required to submit documentation certifying that they:
Are enrolled in a degree program at an accredited post-secondary academic institution outside of
the US and be in good academic standing with their home institution
Are accepted into an internship program at CMU that will fulfill the educational objects for the
Student Interns current degree program
Are coming to the US for the primary purpose of participating in the internship program rather
than engaging in employment or offering services to an employer
Will return to their home institution to complete the degree requirements for their academic
program after the completion of the internship
Have verifiable English language skills sufficient to function on a day-to-day basis in the
internship environment (proficiency to be verified through a CMU faculty-conducted interview or
by a recognized English language test)
Have sufficient funding to support themselves and any dependent family members for the
duration of the program
Will have sufficient health care coverage for themselves and any dependents for the duration of
the internship program as required by the US Department of State
Department Requirements
The department must certify that:
They have accepted the Student Intern into a full-time (at least 32 hours per week) student
internship program
They have verified the students English language ability through an interview or an English test
They commit to exposing internship participants to American techniques, methodologies and
technology to expand upon the participants existing knowledge and skills
They will conduct a concluding evaluation for each Student Intern. Programs more than 6 months
in duration also require a mid-point evaluation. These evaluations must be signed by the Student
Intern and immediate supervisor and submitted to OIE before the Interns departure from the US.
OIE is required to retain these evaluations for three years after the completion of the internship
They have obtained verification that the internship fulfills the educational objectives of the
students current degree program at the home (non-US) institution and, if paying the intern, has
the home institutions approval to do so
The department must also submit Form DS-7002: Training/Internship Placement Plan (T/IPP)
for each Student Intern which must clearly articulate the goals and objectives of the internship
program.
Questions about the J-1 Student Intern category or other immigration options for student
researchers/interns should be directed to an OIE advisor at: 412-268-5231 or oie@andrew.cmu.edu.
Updated 4/25/2014