international student internship requirements
The internship must be a required or optional part of your degree program.
Your internship must be a required or optional part of your degree program. For example, business students may have the option to do an internship as a way to meet credit requirements; some engineering programs may require that students complete an internship before graduating.
It’s also important to note that the field of study you used to obtain your degree does not need to be the same as the field of study for which you are doing an internship. For example, if you’re studying computer science but majoring in business, it’s still possible for you to complete an internship at a company like Amazon.
If internships are not an option for your degree program, it’s not possible for you to participate in this opportunity.
The internship must be paid, with compensation comparable to that of a U.S. student filling the position.
The internship must be paid, with compensation comparable to that of a U.S. student filling the position. Your compensation should cover, at minimum, your living expenses and round-trip transportation costs.
While an unpaid internship might sound like a great way to get some experience without having to pay for it, it is actually illegal to work without pay in the U.S., unless you are volunteering. An internship must be paid if you are completing it as part of your academic requirements or school credit; the same requirements apply whether you are doing an internship in the U.S. or overseas as part of an international exchange program or study abroad program.
As an international student, you may have additional financial needs related to your time spent studying in the U.S., so it is important that you earn money during your internship that can help cover those expenses (such as food and housing). You cannot rely on income from other sources during your internship period if you are working full time at your internship (e.g., money sent from family overseas) because this would violate F-1 visa employment restrictions; nor can you rely on savings accumulated prior to commencing your studies in the U.S., since you also need those funds for daily living expenses during your academic program as well as travel back home at the conclusion of your studies
The internship must be relevant to your major area of study.
As an international student, you’re in the United States to get your degree. An important part of this is gaining professional experience and building career skills that will help you once your graduate. That’s why it’s important to complete a relevant internship during your time here.
Internships are a great way to gain valuable real-world experience, explore career options, and develop new skills—but they should be related to what you’re studying in school. For example, if you’re a business major, doing an internship at a local newspaper won’t help you build useful skills or network with people who can give you advice on how to find work after graduation. Instead, seek out internships with companies that specialize in business, such as accounting firms or financial planning firms. Your goal is to find an internship opportunity that will make it easier for you to find (and be hired for) jobs after graduating from college.
Your sponsoring university must provide access to sufficient staff who have the expertise and resources to support you during your stay in the U.S.
The university that sponsors you must have sufficient staff who have the expertise and resources to support you during your stay in the United States. The staff should be able to answer your questions related to the internship, such as if there is a more appropriate placement, if they can assist with your visa application or other paperwork, or help you understand what types of activities are allowed by your visa type. If you plan on being in the U.S. for more than 12 months then you will need a new DS-2019 form at least every 12 months.
Internships are an important part of professional development and personal growth.
Internships are an important part of professional development and personal growth.
If you are considering an internship, you should think about the following:
- Discovering what you might want to do in the future
- Building a network of professional contacts
- Developing skills needed for your future career