Internship Abroad in The USA: The FAQs

Entering the states brings a lot of paperwork and it is really important to stay organized to keep everything under control. The SGA team is there to help you every step of the way:

Completing your SGA profile

Payment of the application fee

Application folder check and forwarding of your application

Skype meeting with the program coordinator in the USA (talk about your wishes and ideas)

Organization of your internship (including Skype interviews with companies)

Preparation of your internship contract

Payment of the program fee and payment of health insurance

Visa organization of the DS forms

Embassy appointment and flight booking

Arrival and start of your program

Yes, after successful placement you will take out health and liability insurance for the entire stay in the USA (including Grace Period). You will take out the insurance with our local partners because for the J1 visa special insurance is required.

You have already found an internship and still need a sponsor for your DS2019 form? We also offer this service independently of the internship placement service. After your registration, we will start with the examination of your guest company in the USA.

Usually, a minimum stay of 2 months is required to apply for the programs of the host companies. Some companies even require a stay of 6 months. The J1 Intern program allows an internship of up to 12 months. Afterward you are allowed to use the so-called "Grace Period" for traveling for another month.

You can register for an internship all year round. To ensure a successful internship and visa organization, it is best to register for 6 months in advance. In some industries, we also offer last-minute programs and an express visa agency.

There is a very large company network and thus professional internships in all popular destinations in the USA. Our partner will tell you right at the beginning of the application process how good your chances are in your desired areas and your favorite destinations.

In general, interns are not placed in unqualified or casual positions. Furthermore, due to J-1 visa requirements, internships are not offered in the following areas:

Health

Sports or Physiotherapy

Care

Veterinary Medicine

Social Work

Speech Therapy

Early Childhood Education

Remuneration varies greatly from company to company and depends mainly on the industry, but also on your qualifications. In some cases, companies do not pay but provide accommodation and transport costs. Remuneration should not be a primary consideration in your placement.

Credit card payment is widely used in the USA. Almost all credit cards are accepted in the country, including Euro/Mastercard. Less common is the payment with an EC/Maestro card, but it can still be used to withdraw money from most cash machines.

In principle, yes, but in some states, the international driving license is additionally required, which can be applied for at the competent authority in Germany. In addition, it is strongly recommended to inform yourself about American traffic regulations. Especially the speed limits are lower than in Germany. If you exceed the speed limit in the USA, you may be subject to very high fines.

No, the only valid identification in the USA is the passport. Neither the temporary passport, the identity card nor the provisional identity card is valid for entry into the USA.

• Individual placement of internships with regard to subject, duration and time

• Support in the creation of the curriculum vitae and cover letter according to US standards

• Arranging the interview with a hosting company

• Creation and processing of the contract between you and your host company

• Support for filling out the DS-7002 form

• Assistance in obtaining the DS-2019 form

• DS-2019 Form

• Visa support for the application of the J-1 visa

• Assistance in finding accommodation

• Information about cheap flights, insurance, vaccinations, and other important travel information

• Contact person of our partner organization by phone and email during your trip

Obligatory services to be booked:

Health insurance: about 95 USD/month (please ask for the exact amount before applying)

Optional add-on services:

Airport transportation with direct transfer to your accommodation

Organization of a rental car or scooter

Not included:

• International health insurance (see mandatory options to be booked)

• Flight

• Accommodation

• SEVIS fee of 180 USD

• Visa fee/consular fee of 160 USD

• Transport on site

You must be enrolled at a university abroad (not in the U.S.), or complete your internship within the first twelve months after graduation OR have completed education.

There must already be an internship place

You must have business fluent English language skills

You must have about 1500 USD - 2000 USD per month available

You must have international health insurance

You may not exceed the duration of twelve months

A lead time of four weeks should be planned for accommodation search, language course, etc. on site

You have the possibility to receive your visa documents from the sponsor within 1 week (plus 500 Euro) or 2 weeks (plus 300 Euro) instead of 4 weeks (included in the price). With a bit of luck, you will be placed very quickly and can apply for the visa documents in the normal way. For short-term applications this express option is very helpful to start the internship in time.

The search is carried out individually according to your wishes and usually, our coordinators organize a "bull's eye" right from the first proposal. However, if you feel after the interview that it does not quite fit, you can always let us know. It is important that we know the reason for your cancellation so that we can adjust the search even better. In the Skype meeting at the beginning of the mediation, you will discuss your ideas with the coordinators in the USA in detail, so that the first company proposal is already successful in the investigation. If you would cancel during the mediation, the registration fee of 200 Euro remains.

No, during an internship in the USA it is strictly forbidden to do other jobs on the side. The J1 visa does not include a work permit. You are only allowed to work as an intern in your host company.

If your original internship does not last longer than 12 months, it is possible to extend it up to a maximum stay of 12 months. However, there is an additional fee for a new DS-2019 form.

Valid entry documents (e.g. passport) are required for entry into the USA. In addition, the passenger must know at least the address of the first place of an overnight stay in the United States. The airline is entitled to forward the data to the American authorities before the passenger enters the country.

You can stay in the USA 30 days before and 30 days after your internship. Many interns use the so-called "Grace Period" after their internship for a vacation before they start their return journey.

No, because you do not yet meet the visa requirements for the J1 visa directly after school. As soon as you reach the third semester of your studies or have just finished your studies, you can start your internship in the USA.