J-1 Student Interns Responsibilities & Work Regulations

Student Interns in J-1 status are responsible for learning, understanding, and complying with U.S. federal laws and regulations governing J visa status. Failure to do so will violate the Student Intern’s legal status in the United States. The Student Intern’s responsibilities include, but may not be limited to, the following:

J-1 student interns must have in-person requirements due to the exchange visitor nature of this program.  J-1 student interns cannot be designated as fully remote. If J-1 student interns are designated as hybrid, they can only telework a maximum of 2 days per week.

Email your IS Advisor within 10 days to report the change. J-1 Student Interns should also report a change of email address for their J-2 spouse.

Student Interns must depart the United States within 30 days of the expiration of the Form DS-2019 or program end date, whichever is earlier unless they have applied for a change of status.

Student Interns are required to inform their IS Advisor if they plan to leave the University before the expiration date on the DS-2019.

Work full time (at least 32 hours per week) at the internship.  You may not engage in any employment (either on or off campus) that is not described on the DS-7002 Training/Internship Placement Plan (T/IPP).

In accordance with the Department of State (DoS) J-1 guidelines:

OGS must enter the scholar as “out of country” if they are continuing their J-1 program activities or end their J-1 program if they are not.
J-2 dependents must depart the United States, as they may not remain in the United States without the J-1 scholar.

*Note: The annual winter break and summer vacation for teaching faculty are exceptions to this rule.

J-1 Student Interns must work full-time (at least 32 hours per week) at the internship. They may not engage in any employment (either on or off campus) that is not described on the DS-7002 Training/Internship Placement Plan (T/IPP).

Additionally, at a minimum, at least 50% of a J-1 student intern’s program, as indicated on the DS-2019 form, must be spent in the United States.

Student Interns must notify their IS Advisor whenever there is a change in the internship program or program dates.

Student Interns who have been marked subject to 212(e), the two-year home residency requirement, are not eligible for a change of status inside the U.S. or for the H visa, the L visa or Permanent Residency until they have spent two years in their home country following the completion of their J-1 program or have received a waiver of this requirement from the U.S. Department of State (DoS)/U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS). Student Interns should consult with their IS Advisor prior to applying for a waiver to discuss the implications on their status.

Travel signatures are valid for one year or until the expiration date of the DS-2019, whichever is earlier.

Student Interns must apply for an extension before the DS-2019 expires if the Student Intern and sponsor agree to extend the internship program.

Student Interns must receive authorization from their IS Advisor before leaving Georgetown if they wish to transfer to another institution.

J-1 Student Interns must maintain adequate health insurance throughout their stay in the United States. This insurance must meet the requirements set forth by the Department of State.

Each student intern must complete a J-1 Intern Evaluation (PDF) at the end of their internship. Depending on the length of the internship, some student interns may need to complete a 6-month evaluation as well. Please consult your IS Advisor for more information.