Hosting an Intern

CIEE Intern Website

You can find lots of helpful information that your intern has access to at www.ciee.org/intern.

Compensation

There is no requirement to pay an intern, but you’ll find recruitment to be more successful if you do offer a competitive wage. J-1 Interns and Trainees are not allowed to work second jobs, so they have no other source of income.

Extending your Intern’s Program

If you feel that your current intern could benefit from additional time at your company, it might be possible to extend their program.

To extend your intern’s program, the intern must complete the CIEE Application for Program Extension. This application will include a new DS-7002 for the additional training. Your intern must contact the CIEE representative through which they originally applied. The CIEE representative will provide them with extension application materials

Once the application is approved, CIEE will ship the new DS-2019 Certificate of Eligibility to the host organization.

Housing

CIEE encourages host organizations to assist their interns in finding housing. Most interns find their own housing, but if the local area and housing market does not cater to short term stays, this can be difficult. It is important to consider whether there is available housing within a reasonable commute from the intern’s workplace.

Performance Problems

When you offer to take on an international intern, you are offering them employment-at-will. This means that, should any performance or behavioral issues arise, you are not legally bound to host your intern for the remainder of your program. However, most issues that arise between host organizations and interns are the result of poor communication, and can be resolved by a simple conversation where problems are discussed, and expectations are established. CIEE urges all host organizations to discuss the intern’s performance directly with them before the situation reaches a point where their employment needs to be terminated.

If you need assistance dealing with an intern’s performance, please contact CIEE at 1.888.268.6245.

Program Evaluations

The U.S. Department of State mandates that every intern and host organization complete program evaluations as a part of their participation in the Exchange Visitor Program. At the approximate midpoint and end of their training program, the intern will receive an email informing them of the evaluation process. Your intern should forward the evaluation instructions to you at the appropriate time.

Repeat Programs

If your intern wishes to participate in another training program, there are some restrictions on how quickly they can return to the U.S. as a J-1 Intern or Trainee, as follows:

Scenario:	Minimum waiting period between programs:
Completed a program as an Intern and still qualifies as an Intern	90 days required by CIEE
Completed a program as an Intern and now qualifies as a Trainee	2 years required by Department of State
Completed a program as a Trainee and wishes to do another Trainee program	2 years required by Department of State
Completed a program as a Trainee and now qualifies as an Intern	90 days required by CIEE
Subject to the 212(e) Home Country Physical Presence Requirement (regardless of category)	2 years required by Department of State

For more information about repeater restrictions, please visit the CIEE Intern Website.

Social Security

Unless they have one from a previous visit to the U.S., your intern will need to apply for a Social Security Number. This can take several weeks. It is legal for interns to train while they are waiting for their number to be issued.

Support for Your Intern

While many interns have traveled outside of their home countries before, some are doing so for the first time. If you would like advice on how to help your intern manage this transition, please call a CIEE Customer Service Representative at 1-888-268-6245.

Taxes

Please withhold the following taxes from your intern’s compensation:

• Federal Income tax
• State Income tax
• Local Income tax

Your intern should not pay the following taxes:

• Social Security Taxes (FICA)
• Federal Unemployment Taxes (FUTA)

Transportation

Interns are responsible for their own transportation, but CIEE encourages host organizations to provide any assistance they can.

Travel Outside the U.S.

If your intern needs to travel outside the U.S., either for personal or business reasons, they must follow special procedures to get a CIEE signature on their DS-2019 form and a Letter of Good Standing from CIEE. They should also note that they will generally not be covered by their CIEE insurance when traveling overseas, including their home country. For more detailed information, please visit the CIEE Intern website www.ciee.org/intern.