Department of State Revises J-1 Rules for Interns and Trainees
On August 11, 2010, the State Department published its final revised rule on J-1 Interns and Trainees. The revised rule makes 3 key changes. First, host companies no longer must provide a Dun & Bradstreet report Second, program sponsors may interview candidates by phone rather than only in person or by videoconference. And third, both interns and trainees may participate in unlimited J-1 programs as long as they will develop more advanced skills or train in a different field of expertise in each new program. Interns must still be enrolled full-time in a foreign college or university or have graduated within the 12 months just preceding the new J-1 program. Trainees (and interns who do not meet the preceding criteria) must reside outside the United States for at least 2 years before they are eligible for any additional J-1 program.
