Eligibility

Eligibility for the J-1 Student Intern visa category will be assessed on a case-by-case basis by ISSO/HR to determine compliance. In general, a prospective J-1 Student Intern must:

UMass Lowell PERC's Craig Armiento with-student Kyle using printable electrionics
  • Be currently enrolled and pursuing a degree at an accredited postsecondary academic institution outside the United States, or be within 12 months of graduation prior to the start date of their UMass Lowell Internship.
  • Confirm that the U.S. internship must fulfill the educational objectives for the his/her/their current degree program at his/her/their home institution.
  • Have verifiable English language skills sufficient to function on a day-to-day basis in the internship environment. This is determined through completion of a third-party English proficiency assessment.
  • Be in the U.S. primarily to engage in a student internship program rather than to engage in employment or provide services to an employer.
  • Be in good academic standing at his/her/their home institution outside the U.S., or, if within 12 months of graduation, have a transcript reflecting good academic standing.
  • If still enrolled in a degree program in home country, must return to his/her/their academic program outside the U.S. and finish their degree after completion of the student internship program.
  • Have sufficient finances to support himself/herself/themselves and their dependents for their entire stay in the U.S., including housing and living expenses.
  • Must purchase and maintain a qualifying health insurance plan, per the J-1 Health Insurance Requirement.
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The prospective UMass Lowell sponsoring department must:

  • Have resources, including equipment and trained personnel, available to provide the specified student internship program.
  • Provide continuous on-site supervision and mentoring by experienced and knowledgeable staff.
  • Ensure that interns obtain skills, knowledge, and competencies through structured and guided activities such as classroom training, seminars, on-the-job training, research, attendance at conferences and similar learning activities, as appropriate in specific circumstances.
  • Ensure that an internship position will not displace people holding employed positions whether or not those positions are full-time, part-time, temporary, or permanent.
  • Will not use a student intern to fill a labor need.
  • Will place student interns only in positions that exist solely to assist the student intern in achieving the objectives of his or her participation in a student internship program.
  • Abide by all federal, state and local occupational health and safety laws.