Student Intern Requirements

Evidence of Academic Program

Student interns must be currently enrolled in and pursuing a degree at a degree-or certificate-granting postsecondary academic institution outside the United States.

English Language Proficiency

UO Departments must verify in the application process that student interns have sufficient English language proficiency to function on a day-to-day basis in their internship environment. English language proficiency can be verified in one of two ways: 1) an in-person or video interview with the UO faculty advisor, or 2) submission of an acceptable English test result which is determined by the SEVIS Coordinator.

Evidence of Finances

Student interns (and any dependents) must have sufficient finances to support themselves for their entire stay in the United States, including housing and living expenses. The monthly estimated expense for housing, food and personal expenses is:     

UO departments should provide documentation to the ISSS program coordinator and the student intern for UO funding. Student interns will need to provide UO funding documentation at their visa interview at the US embassy or consulate abroad.

Documentation for non-UO funding may be: 1) a statement from a bank showing available funds, or 2) a contract or an award letter from a sponsoring institution indicating the dates that the intern's expenses will be covered. The document(s) must be in English, or accompanied by an English translation.

Evidence of Insurance

Student interns are required to submit evidence of health insurance upon arrival in the U.S. which meets the U.S. Department of State’s minimum coverage requirements for J-1 student interns. Minimum coverage includes medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness; repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000; expenses associated with medical evacuation in the amount of $50,000; and a deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness.  

Student interns are not eligible for the UO Student Health Benefits Plan.

UO Department Requirements

Site Visit

The UO faculty supervisor must conduct a site visit of any third-party internship provider that has not previously participated successfully in a student internship program, has fewer than 25 employees, or has less than three million dollars in annual revenue. Any placement at an academic institution or at a Federal, State, or local government office is specifically excluded from this requirement. The purpose of the site visit is for the sponsor to ensure that each third party internship provider possesses and maintains the ability and resources to provide structured and guided work-based learning experiences according to individualized Training/Internship Placement Plan (Form DS-7002) and to verify that the third party internship provider will maintain compliance with the U.S. Department of State regulatory criteria listed below.
 
If a site visit is not required, the UO faculty supervisor must still verify that the student internship placement site will maintain compliance with the U.S. Department of State regulatory criteria listed below by signing on page 1.

Placement Site Criteria

• The student internship program is full-time (minimum of 32 hours per week)
• The duties of the student intern will not include more than 20% clerical work, and all tasks assigned to a student intern will be necessary for the completion of the student internship.
• The placement site is a legitimate entity and is appropriately registered or licensed to conduct business.
• The placement site has sufficient resources, plant, equipment, and trained personnel available to provide the student internship program.The placement site will abide by all federal, state, and local tax, labor, health, and safety laws.
• The placement site will maintain a Workman's Compensation Insurance Policy.
• The internship will not displace an American employee or fill a labor shortage and that it is not the intent of the internship program to train the student for future employment in the U.S.  The position that the student intern fills exists solely to assist the student intern in achieving the objectives of his or her participation in a student internship program.
• The internship will expose the student intern to American techniques, methodologies, and technology and expand upon existing knowledge and skills. The program will not duplicate the student intern's prior experience.
• The student intern will only undertake the internship at the placement site according to the dates on the Form DS-2019. The student intern is expected to leave the U.S. upon completion of the internship; or within 30 days from the end date of Form DS-2019; or immediately upon dismissal from the program and return to his/her home country.
• The student intern will submit his or her U.S. contact information to International Student & Scholar Services within one week of arrival, and will notify ISSS of a change of address within ten days.
• ISSS and the UO faculty sponsor will be notified in advance of any changes to the intended internship plan including, but not limited to, the training location, training content, duration of training, and financial support. Furthermore, dismissal or termination of the student intern will be reported to ISSS and the UO faculty sponsor immediately.
• Evaluations will be completed prior to the conclusion of the internship program. Programs of six months or less required concluding evaluations only.