Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What career fields are accepted under CHI's J-1 Internship visa?

A: CHI is designated to sponsor interns in the following 6 general occupational categories:

• Arts and Culture
• Information Media and Communications
• Education, Social Sciences, Library Science, Counseling and Social Services
• Management, Business, Commerce and Finance (including Hospitality and Hotel Management)
• The Sciences, Engineering, Architecture, Mathematics, and Industrial Occupations
• Public Administration and Law

Q: What career fields are NOT accepted under CHI's J-1 Intern visa?

A: CHI is not authorized, under the Internship category, to sponsor interns to work as au pairs or any domestic work, such as babysitting or house-keeping, camp counselor, medical interns or anything involving hands-on therapy, counseling, administering medical treatment or making diagnoses of medical, psychiatric or psychological patients. Also, CHI is not authorized to sponsor participants to intern as crew members on a ship or airplane or as pilots.

Q: Can I work while on CHIs J-1 visa?

A: Extra-curricular employment outside the participant’s CHI J-1 internship program is strictly prohibited.

Q: What is SEVIS?

A: The Department of State has implemented a system called SEVIS, which keeps a record of international students who are participating on exchange programs. SEVIS enables sponsors to transmit participant information to the DHS (Department of Homeland Security) and DOS (the Department of State). Only sponsor agencies are allowed to enter the SEVIS system and validate participants' visas.

Q: Are there any visa limitations regarding the length of stay in the U.S.?

A: You will be issued a J-1 visa for the exact dates listed on your DS-2019 form (e.g. your legal internship dates). Also, upon entry into the U.S., a Form I-94 will be attached to your passport. The I-94 indicates the last day you may be in the U.S. on this J-1 visa. Alternatively, "D/S" may be stamped on the I-94 card instead of an actual date. "D/S" is an abbreviation for "Duration of Status" which is equivalent to the specified time indicated on the DS-2019 form plus a 30-day "grace" period reserved for travel purposes only.

Q: Can I continue my internship at the Host Business during the 30-day "grace" period?

A: NO. Once your DS dates have expired, you are no longer in a bona fide sponsored internship program and cannot continue at the Host Business. You have the option of either returning home or staying in the U.S. an additional 30 days beyond the expired DS dates for the exclusive purpose of travel. If you wish to remain in the U.S. to travel longer than the 30 days allowed following the program, you need to contact the Office of Homeland Security and request a change of status to a B-2 (tourist) visa. You will need to complete the OHS form I-539 and pay a fee of $75. The Office of Homeland Security recommends that the tourist visa application be submitted 45 days prior to the expiration of the participant's J-1 visa. As a reminder, you are responsible for purchasing appropriate insurance to cover the travel period following the internship program.

Q: Can I return to the U.S. on a second J-1 Internship program?

A: Yes, as long as you are enrolled in a post-secondary institution or have graduated within 12 months.

Q: Can I transfer from CHI's J-1 visa internship program to another organization's J program?

A: NO. CHI cannot release you in the U.S. from its J-1 program in order for you to transfer to another J program.

Q: Can I transfer from an F visa to a J visa?

A: CHI is unable to transfer a participant who is currently on an F-1 student visa in the U.S. to CHI's J-1 visa. The participant MUST return home in order to apply for CHI's IP.