Internship in the USA> Applicants

Eligibility | Application Process | Fees | Health Insurance | J1 Visa

Find an Internship : Browse internship listings on our website. If you already have an internship, continue with the steps below.

Join Program/Obtain DS2019 Certificate of Eligibility

Contact International Arts & Artists with questions.

(1) Submit Online Application/Webcam Interview
(2) Email Supporting Documents and DS7002 Form
(3) Sign Health Insurance, IA&A Agreement Forms
(4) Receive DS2019 Form (Certificate of Eligibility)
(5) Schedule Consulate interview/Submit DS160

(1) Submit Online Application/Complete Webcam Interview

Please complete the online application first. You must answer all questions in the form. If you don’t fill out the online application completely you won’t be able to submit the form.

(Please note, Paypal will add an automatic 4% processing fee.)

You will receive an automatic email to confirm receipt of your application. Then, within two to three business days, you will receive our response to your online application.

If accepted, you will receive a webcam appointment and Participation Fee invoice. See Fees page for details.

(2) Email Supporting Documents/DS7002 to IA&A

          ALL Documents listed are required and obligatory.

  • Scan of signed IA&A online application
  • Scan of passport (ID page with photo). If you are currently in the U.S., you must also submit a photocopy of your current U.S. visa or I-94.
  • References IA&A can contact by email. ('Trainee' visa candidates must provide non-US employment references for related work.)
  • Scanned passport photo
  • Recent bank balance (statement issued by bank) or guarantor's recent bank balance and letter of support. (Must prove access to $500 per month x number of months' stay)
  • University transcript or diploma proving current enrollment or recent graduation (for 'Intern' candidates)
  • University diploma (for Trainees with related degrees)
  • An essay (maximum 500 words) describing your interest in training in the U.S. and reasons for applying. Essays must be typed.
  • Resume/ CV in English
  • DS7002 Training/Internship Placement Plan completed and signed by your Employer (Please include at least one training stage for every 6 months of the Training Program/Internship.)
  • Certificate of workman's compensation insurance from employer (see a sample certificate)

Any documents not in English must be submitted with signed translations attached. Any applications submitted without necessary translations will be considered incomplete.


EMAIL: send documents in  ONE (1) combined PDF or jpeg to annas@artsandartists.org

SHARE: Gmail account holders can submit applications via Document Share to annas@artsandartists.org

Site VISITS: When a site visit is necessary, this must be completed BEFORE the DS2019 can be issued. There is a $150 charge for site visits. See Employers page for details.

(3) Insurance Form and IA&A Agreements:

 

-Choose your health insurance, enroll and email proof to International Arts & Artists

-Complete, sign and submit International Arts & Artists Insurance Form.

-Sign and return internship/training agreements forms (issued by International Arts & Artists)

(4) IA&A will send you the DS-2019 Form (Certificate of Eligibility) within about 2 weeks of complete application and fee receipt.

IA&A will confirm your mailing address and send the complete documents to you via express mail.

(5)Schedule US Consulate appointment/Submit DS160 Online/Visa Application Preparation/Pay Visa Fees

To obtain a J1 visa you must apply at the U.S. Consulate in person. Once you have received your J1 visa in your passport you can arrange your trip to the U.S. and start your training/internship program.

(NOTE: Citizens of Canada are not required to complete U.S. Consulate interview. )

Please refer to your U.S. Consulate's website for instructions on submitting the DS160 non-immigrant visa application, as well as paying the visa application fee and the I-901 SEVIS fee.

$180 SEVIS I-901 fee is not included in your IA&A participation fee (payable at www.fmjfee.com)
$160 visa application fee is not included in your IA&A participation fee (see US Consulate website)

Necessary documents for US Consulate VISA INTERVIEW : (please also refer to the Embassy's instructions online)

  • ORIGINAL signed DS2019 Certificate of Eligibility from International Arts & Artists (you will receive by FedEx)
  • DS160 visa application receipt confirmation from online
  • Visa application fee proof of payment
  • SEVIS fee proof of payment (online receipt or original I797)
  • DS7002 placement plan (signed by host, you, and IA&A)
  • Id photos (follow US Consulate requirements)
  • Proof of ties to home country (birth certificate, proof of family residence, bank account, job offer, school enrollment, property ownership)
  • Proof of sufficient funds (letter of guarantee, bank statements or online print-out)

Please be sure to follow instructions on the U.S. Consulate website to arrange your visa interview appointment at the U.S. embassy or consulate. IA&A staff can provide helpful information to understand these procedures and prepare the J1 trainee/intern visa application. For more information about the J1 visa application process, please visit the “J1 visa” section on this website.

Please note: you must apply for the J1 trainee/intern visa in the U.S. Consulate in person. You can arrive in the U.S. to start your training/internship program only after you have received your J1 visa in your passport from the U.S. Consulate. (Except citizens of Canada)

(6) Contact IA&A when you arrive in the United States to confirm start, US address and telephone number.

(7) Submit midterm and endterm evaluations during your internship and at the end of your internship. (These are REQUIRED to maintain active and valid visa status.)

 

 

 

 

 

From the left: Remo Foss (England), Ashley Miller (Bermuda), Angela Ezaley (Ivory Coast), Lesego Gwai (South Africa)

 

 

 

Kirstine Autzen from Denmark and Athanasios Gkoltsios from Greece in Washington, DC

 

 

 

 

Pamela Pecush from Canada

 

 

 

 

Camille Godeberge from France and Nathalie Krippner from Austria in Washington, DC

 

 

 

 

“It was an amazing and fulfilling opportunity that I consider myself very lucky and privileged to have had, but I was also a hard and tireless worker which made the results even better. The program is an excellent one and I have and continue to encourage my friends to take up on the opportunity that IA&A offers.”

—Gemma Lumley from Australia, intern at Chelsea Art Museum, New York, NY