J-1 Student Intern

About J-1 Student Interns

At Yale the J-1 student intern category is most often used for Visiting Undergraduates Participating in Research and/or Clinical Activities (VUPRCA), a program available to undergraduate students 18 years or older who are currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program (other than at Yale) and are participating in approved educational research or clinical activities under the mentorship of a Yale faculty member.  Not all visiting students will qualify for the J-1 Student Intern program and for some, another Yale appointment or program is more appropriate. Most graduate students are not eligible. The list below provides possible alternatives for those who do not meet the Student Intern program criteria.

If you have any questions about VUPRCA, please email ehsintegrator@yale.edu.

Eligibility

To qualify as eligible for the J-1 Student Intern category, the participant must be:

  • Currently enrolled and in good academic standing at an accredited postsecondary academic institution outside the U.S.  pursuing the equivalent of a U.S. bachelor's degree.
  • Fulfilling educational objectives for current degree program outside the U.S.
  • Able to verify English language skills sufficient to function on a day to day basis in the program.
  • Returning as an enrolled student to the home institution after the Yale program in order to “fulfill and obtain a degree.”
  • Provide proof of health insurance that meets the minimum requirements of the J-1 visa and will be valid for the time spent at Yale.
  • Participating in an  internship that consists of a minimum of 32 hours per week and includes no more than 20% clerical work.
  • Eligible for the Visiting Undergraduates Participating in Research or Clinical Activities appointment or participating in an established internship program sponsored by Yale University
  • Participation in the J-1 Student Intern category is limited to a maximum of 12 months over the lifetime of the individual participant.

Host Department Application Requirements

  • Confirm all eligibility requirements (listed above).
  • Create an OISS Connect record by completing the New Sponsorship Request Form record for the J-1 Student Intern.
  • Complete the following forms and upload to OISS Connect:
    • Home Institution Certification
    • OISS Intern Data Collection Form
    • If the intern is not receiving a Yale paycheck, proof of funding in the amount of $3,167 per month needs to be provided (such as a bank statement, written in English).
    • Copy of the “pending email” from EHS confirming VUPRCA status has been requested
    • Passport Identification page
    • Copy of CV
    • Proof of health insurance

After You Submit the OISS Connect Record and All Documents to OISS

Upon review of the documents listed above, OISS will generate the form DS-2019 (visa document) and the form DS-7002. OISS will contact the department when the DS-2019 and DS-7002 forms are ready (7-10 business days from date of complete submission).

Pick Up Forms at OISS

  • The DS-7002 form requires original signatures from OISS and the intern's Yale supervisor before it is sent to the intern.
  • If the Yale department cannot pick up the DS-2019 and DS-7002 from OISS, please create a courier label addressed to the J-1 Student Intern's sponsoring Yale department and upload it to the OISS Connect record.

Intern Consulate Appointment

The Student Intern applies for a J-1 visa at the U.S. consulate with the original DS-2019 and DS-7002 forms.

Intern Check-In

The Student Intern must check in with OISS with the original DS-2019 and DS-7002 forms once they arrive in the U.S.

Intern Evaluation

Departments are required to provide OISS a written evaluation of the intern's performance in the 15 day period before the conclusion of the internship. For programs lasting more than 6 months, a midpoint evaluation is also required within 15 days of the midpoint mark.  The evaluation must be submitted to OISS through OISS Connect.  The final evaluation is due before the intern leaves the U.S.