Apply for your J-1 USA internship
Tell us about you, your field and your target dates. Within 3 business days we come back with your J-1 category, a U.S. host shortlist, the designated sponsor we'd pair you with, and a full all-in quote — no commitment.
- 15+yearsplacing European students in the U.S.
- 3business daysto reply with a host shortlist
- 92%embassy approvalfor files prepared with our coaches
- 0€upfront feeyou only pay after signing a placement
All-in placement + DS-2019
- Duration
- 2 – 12 months
- Insurance
- Health + liability included
- Stipend
- Paid — set by U.S. host
- Duration
- 2 – 18 months
- Insurance
- Liability included · health $98–$136/mo (separate)
- Stipend
- Paid — set by U.S. host
+ €300 one-off registration fee applies to every programme — refunded if we can't match you with a host in your field within 60 days.
"Piktalent matched me with a boutique hotel in Miami in six weeks. The sponsor handled the DS-2019, the team prepped me for the embassy interview, and I landed with a paid full-time stipend from the hotel. The €300 refundable fee was the only thing I paid before signing an offer."
What happens after you apply
A real human reads every J-1 USA application. Here's the exact path from "Submit" to "boarding your flight to the U.S."
Day 1–3 · Profile review
An advisor confirms your J-1 eligibility, the right category (Intern vs Trainee vs Research Scholar) and any documents missing.
Week 1–4 · Host shortlist & interviews
We send 3–6 vetted U.S. hosts in your field. We coach you for each interview and translate the offer letter into plain English.
Week 4–8 · DS-7002 + DS-2019
Our State-Department-designated sponsor drafts the DS-7002 Training/Internship Plan, vets the host, and issues your DS-2019.
Week 8–12 · SEVIS, DS-160, embassy
Pay SEVIS I-901 ($220) and DS-160 ($185), then attend your interview at the U.S. embassy with the file we prepare with you.
Week 12–16 · Fly + arrive
Enter the U.S. up to 30 days before your DS-2019 start date. Sponsor validates SEVIS within 30 days of arrival.
On programme · Support
24/7 sponsor emergency line, monthly check-ins, J-1 health insurance in place (included on the Hospitality & Tourism track; billed separately at $98–$136/mo on the Standard track), end-of-programme certificate.
What's included in a Piktalent J-1 placement
Included
- • Host matching with 3–6 vetted U.S. employers in your field
- • Interview coaching and offer-letter review
- • DS-7002 Training/Internship Plan drafting and sponsor liaison
- • DS-2019 issued by a State-Department-designated sponsor
- • SEVIS, DS-160 and U.S. embassy interview prep
- • J-1 health insurance compliant with 22 CFR §62.14
- • U.S. arrival check-in, SSN guidance, monthly programme check-ins
Paid directly to U.S. authorities
- • SEVIS I-901 fee — $220 (paid to U.S. Department of State)
- • DS-160 visa application fee — $185 (paid to U.S. embassy)
- • Flights to and from the U.S.
- • Housing in the U.S. (we share verified housing partners)
Piktalent never marks up government fees. Full all-in quote is sent with your host shortlist.
J-1 USA application — frequently asked questions
Real questions European students ask us before clicking submit.
Is this a real J-1 visa or a tourist workaround?+
It's a real J-1 Exchange Visitor visa. Piktalent works with U.S. Department of State-designated sponsors who issue your DS-2019 after approving the DS-7002 Training/Internship Plan agreed with your host.
Is the J-1 internship paid?+
Yes for most categories. J-1 Intern and J-1 Trainee placements in the U.S. are paid at or above the U.S. federal or state minimum wage, as required by the DS-7002 Training/Internship Plan. The exact stipend is set by the U.S. host and depends on role, city and season — we do not advertise guaranteed salary bands.
How long does the whole process take?+
Plan for 10–16 weeks from application to U.S. arrival: 3 business days to reply, 2–4 weeks to match with a host, 3–5 weeks for the sponsor to issue DS-2019, then SEVIS payment, DS-160 and embassy interview.
What does Piktalent actually do vs the sponsor?+
Piktalent handles host matching, interview coaching, document prep, sponsor liaison and U.S. arrival support. The State-Department-designated sponsor vets your DS-7002, issues your DS-2019, runs SEVIS, and is your insurance and 24/7 emergency contact while in the U.S.
Do I need a U.S. host already?+
No. The most common path is: you apply, we shortlist 3–6 vetted U.S. hosts in your field, you interview, you choose. If you already have an offer letter, we can run it through sponsor compliance instead.
Is there an upfront fee to apply?+
No. The application is free and non-binding. You only pay once you've reviewed your host shortlist and signed a placement agreement. Government fees (SEVIS I-901 $220, DS-160 $185) are paid directly to U.S. authorities.
What happens to my CV and data?+
Stored encrypted in our EU database, shared only with the designated sponsor and the host(s) you agree to interview with. GDPR-compliant. You can request deletion any time at [email protected].
Can I cancel or transfer my placement after it is confirmed?+
No. Once the host placement is confirmed and accepted, the participant is obliged to complete the programme payment — matching, sponsor liaison and DS-7002 drafting have already been delivered — and any balance already paid is retained. Substitute participants are not allowed, as each J-1 placement is personalised to the candidate's CV, field and host interview. Violation of the programme's terms and conditions can also lead to the placement being cancelled by Piktalent without a refund.