Documents to be Submitted for J-1 Intern
To request a Form DS-2019 for a J-1 Intern, the host department must submit the documents listed below to the UT Center for International Education (CIE), 1620 Melrose Avenue. Please read “J-1 Intern Program; Information and Instructions” before beginning this process. Note that the paperwork for J-1 interns is different than that for other J-1 categories. Please submit all documents at one time.
U.S. law (22 CFR 62.22) mandates that a number of procedures be completed before a Form DS-2019 is issued for an intern. PLEASE READ THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW CAREFULLY! If documents are missing or incomplete, the DS-2019 cannot be issued. Call CIE at 974-3177 with any questions.
All documents should be submitted to CIE at least two months before the internship will begin.
J-1 Request Form (INTERN)
This form must be completed and signed by host professor and department head. If the intern will be paid through UT Payroll, then Section VIII must be completed by host department and signed by UT Human Resources.
Note: the J-1 request form for an Intern is different than the one used for J-1 Scholars
Certification of Academic Status
This form must be completed and signed by intern’s current (or recent) academic advisor (or other knowledgeable representative of the academic institution in the home country). Scanned or faxed copy of signed form is acceptable. If any answer is not in English, a translation must be attached.
Interview Report Form
U.S. law requires a personal interview with the prospective Intern to discuss the internship and evaluate the Intern’s background and knowledge. This interview will normally be conducted by the host professor, and may be in person, by video or web camera, or by telephone. (An E-mail “interview” is not sufficient).
In some cases, this interview may be conducted by a representative of the intern’s current academic institution. In this case, there must be a written contract or agreement between UTK and the intern’s home institution. A copy of this written agreement must be attached to the Interview Report Form.
English Language Proficiency Form
This form should be signed by one of the following:
- UTK Host Professor: If the interview mentioned above was conducted in English by the UTK Host professor, then the same person may complete and sign the English Language Proficiency Form.
- The Interns’ English language Instructor at his/her home institution or at an English Language School.
- Instead of getting this form signed, the Intern may send a copy of a TOEFL score meeting the requirement of the UTK Admissions Office.
DS-7002 Training/Internship Placement Plan
Pages 1 and 2 of this form must be completed by the host professor, after discussing the internship plans with the prospective intern. After both pages are completed, the form must be signed by the host professor* (in the line marked “Supervisor’s Signature”) and by the intern (on the line marked “Trainee/Intern Signature”). A fill-able version of this form is available at: http://www.state.gov/documents/organization/84240.pdf
Specific Instructions:
- Check “Intern” (not Trainee).
- If the U.S. residential address and telephone are not yet known, give the department address and phone.
- If the internship will be conducted by UTK, for “Host Organization” write “The University of Tennessee, Knoxville, Department of __________ “.
- On Pages 1 and 2, do not complete the sections marked “Sponsor’s Signature” or “Program Sponsor Name”.
- Complete all other questions on page 2 in detail. This is the statement of learning objectives and activities for the internship and is extremely important. If there is more than one “phase” to the internship, a separate Page 2 must be completed for each phase. If the same activity will last for the whole internship, start and end dates for the “phase” will be the start and end date of the internship.
- Both Pages 1 and 2 should be completed and sent to the Intern BEFORE she/he signs. The form (without, and then with) the Intern’s signature can be faxed or scanned, instead of mailed, to save time.
- If internship will be conducted by another organization, list that organization as the host organization; primary supervisor at that organization should sign the
DS-7002 rather than the UTK Host Professor.
Financial Documentation
Before a Form DS-2019 can be issued, the Center for International Education must receive documentation of adequate financial support for the entire length of the internship. This support may be provided by any or all of the following:
- Salary or other payment by UTK. But note that the Intern may not fill a regular position of employment. Information provided on the “J-1 Request Form (INTERN)” will document this intended support.
- Salary or other payment by a “Third Party” host organization. (Note: Contact CIE if this will be the case.) Third Party Agreement Form will document this support. [Currently, this form is not available.]
- Financial support from intern’s academic institution or government. Provide an official letter, in English, from the granting institution, stating dates and amount of support during visit. Letter should make it clear that this support will continue while the intern is in the U.S.
- Personal savings. Provide an official letter, in English, from the intern’s bank, stating the amount of savings. If the support will come from the parents or other relative, provide a letter from the relative, plus a letter from the relative’s bank.
Note: Currently, CIE requires proof of at least $1000 per month of support for a single intern. An additional $600 per month is required for a spouse and $500 per month for each child. If free housing will be provided to the Intern, this will be counted as $450 per month of support.