1. Go to the USA
  2. Intern or Train in the USA
  3. Experience Guide
  4. After Your Program
  5. Returning to the U.S. on Another J-1 Intern/Trainee Program
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Returning to the U.S. on Another J-1 Intern/Trainee Program

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Per U.S. Department of State guidelines, you may be required to complete a waiting period before returning to the U.S. on a second internship or training program.

All additional training positions must expose participants to new skills, tasks, responsibilities, and cultural engagement, while still providing a meaningful training opportunity.  In other words, each time you come to the U.S. you should be learning something new! 

I completed an internship and would like to return as an intern again.

  • If you are repeating the internship program with a new host organization, a wait period of 90 days is required between internship programs.
  • If you are repeating the internship program and returning to the same host organization, a wait period of 8 months (equivalent to two semesters) is required between internship programs. You may return to the same host organization if additional training clearly demonstrates an advancement in skills/tasks from previous internship.

I completed an internship and would like to return for a professional career training program. 

A wait period of two years is required.

I completed a professional career training program and would like to return as a trainee again. 

A wait period of two years is required between Professional Career Training USA programs.  

I completed a professional career training program and would like to return for an internship. 

A wait period of 8 months (equivalent to two semesters) is required.  

Please note: Interns and trainees may not shorten their current programs to become eligible for a second program. 

You should contact your CIEE international representative to determine if you are eligible, and to request application materials. If you wish to return to the same host organization at which you previously completed an internship or training position, your new training plan should be different from your original. In other words, your training plan should demonstrate that you are learning new and different skills.