Understanding Your Time in the U.S.: J-1 Visa Interns and Trainees

As a J-1 visa program participant, your time in the U.S. as an Intern or Trainee provides an incredible opportunity to immerse yourself in American culture while building valuable skills and advancing your career goals. How you shape this experience depends on the program you choose, your host company, and the ways you engage with your local community and cultural surroundings.  

While there is some flexibility on how you spend your time in the U.S., there are also restrictions and requirements that you and your host company must follow to ensure compliance with federal regulations. In this guide, we’ll address common questions about navigating the J-1 visa program for the Intern and Trainee designations, from understanding training guidelines to exploring travel opportunities and maintaining program compliance. 

When Can I Legally Train in the U.S. and Participate in Business Activities? 

You can legally train in the U.S. during the position dates specified on the DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility issued at the time of visa sponsorship approval. These dates are also outlined on the DS-7002 Official Training Plan, which details the program’s activities.   

If you would like to adjust your start or end date, please contact AIFS Professional Pathways or submit a request in your portal in advance for a program amendment or extension. 

When can I arrive & depart the U.S.? What is a “Grace Period”? 

The 30 days before and after the program’s start and end date are referred to as “grace periods.” J-1 holders may arrive at any time during the initial grace period and depart at any time during the following grace period; however, you are not allowed to train or work during these grace periods. These grace periods give you the opportunity to domestically travel, learn more about the town or city you are based in, and experience American culture while you’re not training. 

What is my I-94 Travel Record? 

Your I-94 travel record is a document that shows proof of your legal visitor status and includes a log of your recent arrivals and departures to and from the U.S. When you arrive in the U.S., your legal entry is officially recorded, and your I-94 travel record is generated or updated. After you arrive, please visit the Department of Homeland Security Customs and Border Patrol website to review your record for accuracy and print a copy to keep with you at all times. When searching, be sure to enter information exactly as it is written on your DS-2019 form. Also, review the travel record to ensure it shows the correct visa status and entry date. Contact us if you see errors. 

How Do I Validate My J-1 Visa? 

Your visa sponsor (AIFS Professional Pathways) will validate your visa in the Department of Homeland Security SEVIS database. This is required immediately after your arrival to ensure that your visa is in the correct status while you are in the U.S., and that you are residing within a reasonable distance from your site of training.  
 
You must provide AIFS Professional Pathways with the following information within 2 weeks of entering the country: 

1. Your U.S. residential address (this can be a temporary address and updated later) 
2. Your telephone number in the U.S. 

After you submit this information to us in your portal, your visa will be officially validated within two business days. Please note that your visa must be validated before you can apply for a Social Security number.  

What Do I Do If I Move and My Residential Address Changes While I’m in the U.S. on a J-1 Visa as an Intern or Trainee? 

Please notify AIFS Professional Pathways right away if your residential address changes while you are in the U.S. or any changes are made to your training program so that your SEVIS record can be updated. Any changes to your address or program can be e-mailed to us or submitted in your portal. 

Can My Internship or Traineeship Include Remote Activity? 

On-site activities are the preferred standard for cultural exchange programs, but hybrid work is permissible as long as it meets the following requirements for federal guidance for J-1 training programs:   

• J-1 training programs must take place on-site at least 60% of the work week (the equivalent of two days per week may be remote)  
• Your tasks can be completed remotely  
• You have a functional work environment outside of the training site  
• Virtual supervision is accessible  

Can I Extend My J-1 Program at My Host Company? 

Yes! You can extend your J-1 visa program if the new end date falls within the period you are authorized to train in the U.S. according to your visa and program type.  

The J-1 visa allows interns to legally train in the U.S. for up to 12 months, and trainees up to 18 months (12 months for Hospitality programs). If those limits are not exceeded, a J-1 visa program may be extended. For example, an intern program originally approved for six months may be extended for up to another six months.  

A J-1 visa extension request must be approved through a standard application process before the original program end date. This process involves updating your federal documents and providing a clear justification for the extension, such as the opportunity to pursue additional training, complete a specific project, or achieve an unmet program objective.  

To extend your program, please contact AIFS Professional Pathways or submit a request through your portal.  

Can I Shorten or Cancel My Program? 

Even if your program is not exactly what you had expected, you should make your best effort to see your program through. However, we understand that a company’s resources or projects may change, your personal circumstances may prevent a program from continuing as planned, or (in rare cases) your experience training at the host company is negative. In these cases, AIFS Professional Pathways can help you shorten or cancel your program. 

Can My Program Be Updated After I’m in the U.S.? 

You may make updates to your training program if you receive prior approval. All program dates, activities, supervisors, and wages are reviewed for initial visa sponsorship approval and are documented in federal databases. Therefore, you must first request updates or changes to J-1 programs with AIFS Professional Pathways to ensure continued compliance with federal regulations. After approval, we will update the J-1 holder’s records and federal documents, and program updates can take place.  Please note, you may not change your host company. 

If I Experience an Emergency, What Steps Should I Take? 

If you are in an emergency and require immediate emergency medical attention or need to contact the police, call #911 — in most cases, an ambulance or officer will be dispatched quickly to assist you. No matter the type of emergency, notify AIFS Professional Pathways immediately. We are here to support you, liaise with your health insurance provider, and in some cases, report incidents to the U.S. Department of State. Our number one priority is your wellbeing and safety.  

AIFS Professional Pathways enrolls you in compliant health insurance coverage for the duration of your U.S. program. At the start of your program, you will receive an insurance card, access to a portal to search for medical professionals, and contact information for insurance support.  

AIFS Professional Pathways can be contacted any time, including after hours in cases of emergencies, at 1-800-360-7066 or ProfessionalPathways@aifs.com (e-mail responses take place during business hours). Direct contact for your AIFS Responsible Officer, Shaina Katz, may be found in your Orientation & Resource Guide. The Department of State 24-hour emergency helpline is also available by telephone toll free in the US at 1-866-283-9090 and email at jvisas@state.gov. 
 

What if I Need Help Figuring Out Life in America? 

We’re here to help! AIFS Professional Pathways provides you with a lengthy Orientation & Resource Guide. This guide will provide you with valuable tips on how to navigate housing, U.S. banking, transportation, cultural norms, and more! In addition, your visa sponsor is always available to answer questions and provide advice.  

Can I get a Social Security Number? 

Yes, J-1 holders qualify for a Social Security number. After you arrive in the U.S. and validate your visa, you can apply for an SSN with the U.S. Social Security Administration. This process takes 6 weeks, on average. Step-by-step instructions are provided in your Orientation & Resource Guide.  
 
Once you have an SSN, it remains yours for life. Therefore, if you have an SSN from a previous time in the U.S., you do not apply again. 

Can I Travel During My Intern or Trainee Program on a J-1 Visa? 

Yes! One of the exciting benefits of the J-1 visa program is the opportunity to explore the United States and neighboring countries. You are allowed to travel within the U.S. any time during your program or grace periods, so long as it doesn’t conflict with your intern or traineeship.  

You may travel internationally after your DS-2019 start date has passed and your visa is validated, through your DS-2019 end date; however, you must take the following steps to travel internationally: 

1. Notify AIFS Professional Pathways with your travel dates, location, and contact information while traveling.
2. If you are traveling anywhere other than Canada, Mexico, or adjacent islands, you will need to obtain a travel validation signature from AIFS on your DS-2019 before departing the U.S.
3. Non-Canadians must review the expiration date and ‘entries’ listed on the visa stamp in their passport. You will not be able to reenter the U.S. with an expired visa. Additionally, the ‘entries’ must exceed the number ‘1’ or show an ‘M’ (meaning, ‘multiple’). This indicates how many times you are allowed to travel into the U.S. on your J-1 visa.

While personal and business travel is permitted, and encouraged within the U.S., you should always consult your host company supervisor for approval for any time off, and travel should not negatively impact your ability to train at your U.S company on a full-time basis.    

Why Am I Being Asked to Complete a “Program Evaluation”? 

You and your training program supervisors are required to promptly complete program evaluations administered by your sponsor (AIFS Professional Pathways). Program evaluations ensure the quality of the training program and compliance with federal regulations. Programs exceeding 6 months in length require the completion of a midterm evaluation, and all programs must have a final evaluation. Program evaluations are federally mandated. If evaluations are not completed, the program will be deemed out of compliance with federal regulations.  

Participants will also hear from us informally throughout their program with short check-in surveys to ensure your safety and to provide you with the space to ask questions or request confidential assistance. 

Can My Host Company Hire Me Full-Time, or Transfer My Visa After My J-1 Program? 

The J-1 visa is a temporary cultural exchange program, with the expectation that you depart the U.S. after your end date to apply or share your newly acquired knowledge. Pursuing a job with your host company outside the U.S. after training is a perfectly acceptable use of the visa program. However, using the program as a way to stay in the U.S. for a longer duration is a violation of the intent of the program. The host and participant agreements that are signed with AIFS prior to confirming visa sponsorship indicate your commitment not to seek a visa transfer to remain in the U.S.  Therefore, you should not violate the federal program intent or the signed agreement. 

Can I Change My Host Company After I’m in the U.S.? 

Your J-1 sponsorship and visa are granted based on the assessment of your original host company and training program; therefore, retroactive changes of this kind should not be made, and are generally not approved. If there is an extenuating circumstance, such as your company is closing or has lost resourcing for your program, your company is violating or neglecting program responsibilities, or you are experiencing a negative work environment that cannot be mediated, please contact AIFS Professional Pathways about your options right away. 

Can I Get a Second Job in the U.S.? 

No. Legally, you are only authorized to conduct work at and receive income from the company listed on your DS-2019 during your internship and traineeship. 

Spend Your Time in the U.S. Wisely: Partner with AIFS Professional Pathways for Your J-1 Visa Needs 

Participating in the J-1 visa program offers invaluable opportunities to learn about American culture, travel in and around the U.S., and advance your career with hands-on training at an American company. Whether it’s validating your visa, approving program adjustments, or extending your J-1 visa program, partnering with AIFS Professional Pathways ensures a smooth and compliant J-1 experience.  

Ready to begin your professional journey in the U.S.? Get started with AIFS Professional Pathways today!  

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