Sponsoring a J-1 Visiting Student Intern
This affiliation refers only to a student currently enrolled in a degree program outside of Columbia (often at an institution abroad) who visits Columbia to engage in a research-based internship that is integral to the curriculum of the home institution's degree program to which the intern will return.
J-1 Students who are enrolled in a degree program at Columbia are not to be confused with Visiting Student Interns.
Learn more about Visiting Student Interns.
Department User Guides
- CUIMC: Compass User Guide
- Morningside/Manhattanville: Overview of SSP (Scholar Sponsorship Portal) and SSP User Guide
Eligibility
J-1 sponsorship for research-based Visiting Student Interns requires the student to:
Before You Sponsor
If yes, Columbia’s J-1 sponsorship category will be either a Research or Short-term Scholar
If no, Columbia’s J-1 sponsorship category will be a Student Intern, including Form DS-7002
Submit application 3 months before the start date.
This allows time for the Visiting Student Intern to obtain or renew a passport, if needed, and apply for a J-1 visa at a U.S. consulate.
We will issue Form DS-2019 within 10 business days of receiving a complete application.
How to Apply
Gather Your Documents
The online application for a J-1 Student Intern visa document has several components. Documentation and information is supplied by the department, the prospective Student Intern, and the Faculty Sponsor of the internship. When you log in to the Compass portal, you will be prompted with instructions on what you need to do.
Submit your application
Log in to the Scholar Sponsorship Portal (SSP) with your UNI and password to submit all three parts of your application
This application consists of 3 parts. All 3 parts must be completed before we receive your application. Contact us if you are a department administrator requesting access to the SSP.
Note: In Part 1, your scholar’s name and the name(s) of any institution(s) with which the scholar is affiliated will undergo Visual Compliance Screening (VCS).
- If there is no match, you will be able to proceed in the SSP.
- If there is a match, immediately contact your Designated Reviewer to clear or resolve the match with the Export Control Office. Once resolved, you will be able to proceed in the SSP.
Need more help?
For a description of the process, visit our SSP Overview page. Visit our SSP Department Guide for technical assistance.
Complete the Request Access to Compass form if access is needed. Refer to our CUIMC Department Compass User Guide for detailed instructions.
This application consists of four (4) parts. All 4 parts must be completed and submitted in order for the ISSO CUIMC to review the application.
Form DS-7002 and Evaluation Requirement (for undergraduates only):
Pre-Arrival
- Complete the DS-7002 Training/ Internship Placement Plan
- Email us the electronic fillable version of the DS-7002 that you have completed (not scanned). You may want to refer to the Guide for Completing the DS-7002.
Pre-Departure
Upon completion of the internship both the undergraduate Visiting Student Intern and the host professor/PI must complete and sign the Intern Evaluation Form at the end of the intern's stay, required by U.S. Department of State regulation for the J-1 student intern category. Email the completed and signed form to ISSO Morningside/Manhattanville.
- All J-1s in this student intern category require a final evaluation.
- Internships in this J-1 category lasting longer than six months also require at least one additional evaluation at the midpoint of the program.
You must retain intern evaluations (electronic or hard copy) for at least 3 years following completion of each intern’s program.
Upon completion of the internship, both the J-1 student intern and the host faculty member must complete the Internship Evaluation e-form, which is required by the U.S. Department of State regulation for the J-1 student intern category. This must be submitted prior to the student intern’s departure from the U.S.
- For J-1 student interns whose program will be more than 6 months in duration, they will have to complete an additional mid-point evaluation.
- J-1 student interns must retain intern evaluations (electronic or hard copy) for at least 3 years following completion of each intern’s program.
Student Interns are able to log in to Compass and complete their section of the evaluation. After submission, an automatic email will be sent to the host faculty member who will then be able to complete their section of the evaluation form.
We will contact you
Allow up to 5 business days for review and processing of your application. We will notify you by email when your student intern’s new Form DS-2019 is ready.
How to Extend
Extensions to J-1 student intern programs are rare. The maximum duration in the United States for a J-1 student intern is 12 months.
An extension must be processed before the expiration date of the current Form DS-2019.
In the event additional time is needed to meet original internship objectives, please contact the ISSO.