Can I apply for a second J-1 Trainee/Intern Visa?

May 29 2014

Yes. Applicants who have previously participated in a traineeship may be eligible to participate in additional training and internship programs under the following conditions:

  1. Additional training and internship programs must address the development of new and/or more advanced skills or a qualifying different field of expertise.
  2. Interns may participate in additional internship programs as long as they maintain student status or begin a new internship program within 12 months of graduation. Trainees may participate in additional training programs after a period of at least two years residency outside the U.S. following their previous training program.
  3. Participants who have successfully completed internship programs may participate in a subsequent program after a two-year residency outside the U.S.
  4. Former interns applying as a trainee, need to wait two years: “Participants who have successfully completed internship programs and no longer meet the selection criteria for an internship program may participate in a training program if they have resided outside the United States or its territories for at least two years.” (Different than Section 212 (e)) See eCFR 62.22 (n) (2).
  5. Former interns applying for additional internships more than 12 months after graduation need to have “…successfully completed a recognized course of study (i.e., associate, bachelors, masters, Ph.D., or their recognized equivalents) and have enrolled and be pursuing studies at the next higher level of academic study.” (same ref as above).