Free internship eligibility checklist | JENZA Intern Hub

Before you jump into your internship search it’s essential to check that you meet the visa requirements for your chosen destination.

Please note visa eligibility and regulations do change from time to time. All information is considered correct as of November 2024

Destintation: UK

What visa do I need? To intern abroad in the UK, you will need to be sponsored to obtain a Temporary Work GAE (Government Authorised Exchange) visa, previously known as the Tier 5 visa. The GAE visa allows students and graduates of any nationality to intern for 1-12 months. BUNAC, a part of the JENZA Travel Group, is a government authorized sponsor for this visa. Here is what you’ll need:

Personal eligibility

• Age: 18+

• Nationality: Hold a valid passport (any nationality)

• Education: Current full-time student or a recent graduate (Internship must start within 24 months of the date listed on your graduation certificate)

• Language requirement: Provide a SELT (Secure English Language Test) certificate showing level CEFR B2 / IELTS 5.5 or above.

• Financial status. Show proof of funds of £1,270 at the time of applying for your sponsorship. Be able to support yourself during your time in the UK as you will not be able to work a job alongside the internship.

• Insurance: Provide a travel insurance policy that includes min of USD $100k medical benefit and repatriation of remains benefit

Employer and internship eligibility

Paid or voluntary roles – BUNAC can support both paid and voluntary internships. Salaries can vary and are dependent on what your employer offers. However, all paid internships must meet national minimum wage requirements.

All internship offers must be vetted and approved by our team (authorized GAE visa sponsor representative).

Internship eligibility checklist

• Internship at a company where you have not previously worked or interned.

• Host company needs to be registered on Companies House for at least 12 months.

• Maximum 12 months in duration.

• At least 25 hours each week.

• A supernumerary position (meaning that the internship role is not replacing the role of a permanent employee).

• Must include complex activities rather than routine tasks. Your employer will need to provide a detailed training plan of the planned internship details.

• You must be supervised by a full-time employee. We require a 5:1 full-time staff to intern ratio.

• If a paid internship – meet national minimum wage legislation.

• If it’s a voluntary internship, must meet UK Volunteer Rights guidelines and be no longer than 6 months in duration.

• No fully remote internships are allowed. If it is a hybrid internship, there needs to be at least 30% of office time.

Time to obtain a visa (once you’ve secured your internship): Up to 8 weeks

Next steps: Start your application for Intern UK and reach out to our team if you have any questions. Find out more or get started here

Destination: USA

What visa do I need?

To intern abroad in the USA, you will need a J-1 internship or trainee visa. The J-1 visa is a cultural exchange visa under the Bridge USA cultural exchange program managed by the US Department of State. This visa allows students, recent graduates and young professionals to train in the USA for up to 12 months (J-1 Intern) or up to 18 months (J-1 Trainee).

Personal eligibility – J1 Visa

BridgeUSA J-1 Intern Visa

• Age: 18+

• Nationality: Any

• Education:

If you are a current student: You must be enrolled full-time in a post-secondary academic institution (such as a university or college) and pursuing a degree or higher-level qualification. Your course of study must be at least 2 years in length.

If you have graduated: You must start your internship within 12 months of graduating from a full-time degree or higher course. This date will be assessed by the date on your grad certificate.

• Language requirements: Non-native English speakers must complete a formal language test to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency to perform successfully in your internship.

• Financial status: Show proof of funds at the time of applying for your sponsorship. Be able to support yourself during your time in the USA as you will not be able to work a job alongside the internship. Support funds range between $2000-$3000 USD depending on who your US visa sponsor is.

BridgeUSA J-1 Trainee Visa

• Age: 20+

• Nationality: Any

• Education:

If you have a degree: You must have a degree or professional certificate from a post-secondary academic institution and at least one year of related work experience in the field you are seeking training in. The work experience must have been gained outside the U.S.

If you do not have a degree: You must have at least five years of full-time, related work experience in the field in which you are seeking training. This experience must have been gained outside the U.S.

• Language requirements: Non-native English speakers must complete a formal language test to demonstrate sufficient English language proficiency to perform successfully in your internship.

• Financial status: Show proof of funds at the time of applying for your sponsorship. Be able to support yourself during your time in the USA as you will not be able to work a job alongside the internship. Support funds range between $2000-$3000 USD depending on who your US visa sponsor is.

• Insurance: Participants must have appropriate health and accident insurance for the duration of the program.

Internship and employer eligibility

• US-based company: The employer must be a US based organisation with the ability to offer a structured training or internship program.

• Internships must be related to your academic field of study. For trainees, the traineeship must align with the participant’s professional background and academic qualifications.

• Maximum allowed duration :

Max internship duration for J1 Internship: 12 months

Max internship duration for J1 Trainee: 18 months

• Paid internships will need to meet state minumum wage

• The role must be supernumerary, meaning it is designed for learning and training purposes rather than fulfilling a labor need.

• Interns and trainees must work at least 32 hours per week.

• No fully remote internships/traineeships allowed. Your employer must provide an office space where you work from at least 3 days per week

• The internship or traineeship must not involve more than 10% of routine / unskilled tasks.

• Interns/trainees must be supervised by a qualified full-time employee. We require 5:1 full-time employee to intern/trainee ratio.

Timeframe to obtain a J1 visa once you’ve secured an internship Approximately 12 weeks

Next steps: Start your application for Intern USA or Trainee USA and reach out to our team if you have any questions:

Ireland - USIT Intern USA

All other nationalities - JENZA Intern USA