Welcome to your J-1 journey!
Whether you’ve already secured an internship placement or are just beginning to explore opportunities, GACC Midwest is here to guide you through the J-1 Visa application process and help make your internship in the U.S. a success.
On this page, you will find all the information you need to prepare for the process and your stay abroad.
What to know before you apply
The J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa is a non-immigrant visa issued by the U.S. Department of State (DoS) that allows international participants to take part in educational and cultural exchange programs in the United States. It is designed to promote mutual understanding between the U.S. and other countries by combining academic knowledge with professional experience.
If you plan to complete an internship or training program in the United States, you can only apply for a J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa by presenting a DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country.
GACC Midwest is a visa sponsor, designated by the US Department of State, which means we can issue DS-2019 Certificates of Eligibility and support you through the entire J-1 visa application process.
Interns must be foreign nationals who meet one of the following criteria:
1. Are currently enrolled full-time in and pursuing studies (BA or higher) at an accredited, in-person, foreign degree- or certificate-granting post-secondary academic institution outside the United States; or
2. Have graduated from such an institution no more than 12 months prior to their exchange visitor program start date
To apply for a J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa, you must present a DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country. This certificate verifies your acceptance into an approved Exchange Visitor Program and is required to begin your visa application process.
As an authorized sponsor, GACC Midwest can issue the DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility to interns who meet the program requirements. Once issued, this form allows you to schedule your visa interview appointment at a U.S. Consulate in your home country, and complete your J-1 Visa application for your U.S. internship.
– Official U.S. Department of State Designation – Trusted sponsor for J-1 Exchange Visitor Visas in the “Intern” category
– Comprehensive & Bilingual Support – Guidance provided in English and German
– 24/7 Emergency Assistance – Around-the-clock help for all participants in the U.S.
– Expertise in Transatlantic Internships – Promoting educational and cultural exchange
– Non-Profit Mission – Focused on fostering transatlantic cooperation and professional development
GACC Midwest will support you in identifying the appropriate documents
- GACC Midwest J-1 Intern Application form
- Resume/CV
- Passport photo page copy
- Proof of educational status
- Proof of financial support
- Proof of international insurance
- English language interview (scheduled with GACC Midwest)
After you receive your DS-2019 form from GACC Midwest, and before your visa interview, you must pay the I-901 SEVIS fee. This fee supports the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), which tracks exchange visitors during their stay in the United States.
You can pay the SEVIS fee online through the official U.S. government payment portal:
https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.html
Please note that this fee is separate from the visa application fee paid to the U.S. embassy or consulate. Make sure to complete the payment in advance and bring the printed receipt with you to your visa appointment.
Yes, you are required to already have a host organization when you apply for your J-1 Visa.
If you are looking for an internship, check out our Virtual US Internship Fair ↗ events to connect with potential host organizations!
From application to arrival: My seamless J-1 journey
“I would wholeheartedly recommend the J1 visa service provided by GACC Midwest! The J-1 Visa Services team supported me through the unfamiliar application process in a structured and incident-free manner. Thanks to the detailed checklist, I was able to provide all the necessary documents in a very short amount of time. Consequently, I was able to obtain my visa very quickly. The team was always available to answer any questions I had. I therefore felt very well looked after!”
– Ricarda, Germany
What to know during and after your stay
In order to maintain good standing in the J-1 visa program, you must communicate the following changes to your program within 10 days of the change occurring:
- Change of address
- Any change of contact information (phone number, email, etc)
- Change of internship supervisor
The J-1 visa program is a cultural visa. You are strongly encouraged to participate in any events or activities hosted by your host organization. This may include company parties or after-work gatherings.
You are also encouraged to explore the local area and visit local museums, festivals, and restaurants that serve local food.
If you need help finding local cultural activities, talk to your colleagues at your host organization or contact GACC Midwest for support.
All exchange visitors sponsored by GACC Midwest and their host organizations can reach the GACC Midwest 24/7 J1 Hotline at +1 (312) 494-2161.
If you have concerns or issues that your U.S. sponsor has not resolved, or you find you cannot reach your sponsor, please contact the Department of State through our J-1 Visa Emergency Helpline (1-866-283-9090), which is also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, or for less time-sensitive issues via e-mail at JVisas@state.gov.
All J-1 visa exchange visitors are required by the U.S. Department of State that Exchange Visitors to have sufficient insurance coverage throughout their entire stay in the U.S. You may obtain coverage through your own health insurance provider in your home country. Please make sure that all the following benefits are included:
- Deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness
- Health and Accident Coverage $ 100,000
- Medical Evacuation Benefit $ 50,000
- Repatriation of Remains Benefit $ 25,000
Important! Your insurance must cover you for the entire time you are in the US, not just during your internship program dates. The coverage start date should be your day of entry into the U.S. and the ending date should be no less than 30 days after your internship end date.
You will need to include your insurance confirmation with your application, which details your name, the terms of the coverage, and the exact dates of validity (it should be valid from the day of entry into the U.S. until 30 days after the internship end date).
Please be aware that all exchange visitors and any accompanying spouse and dependent(s) may be subject to the requirements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
Yes. All J-1 Exchange Visitors must file at least one tax form for each year they are present in the United States, even if they did not earn any income.
In order to provide you with the appropriate resources, GACC Midwest has partnered with Sprintax Returns to help you with your US taxes. Sprintax will guide you through the tax preparation process, arrange the necessary documents and check if you’re due a tax refund.
Check out the Sprintax Blog for information on more J-1 tax-related topics.
Yes! The J-1 exchange visitor visa permits you to remain in the U.S. for up to 30 days after the last day of your internship program. This is referred to as your “grace period“.
Be aware that you may not leave and re-enter the U.S. during your grace period. It is also recommended to book your return flight at least a day or two before the grace period ends to provide yourself a cushion in case your flight is delayed or canceled.
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