Intern or Train in America
My Account
Click to Open
Menu
  1. Home
  2. Intern or Train in America
  3. Resources
  4. Returning to America on a Second Program

Returning to America on a Second Program

Many CIEE Internship USA, Professional Career Training USA, and 1-Year Graduate USA Visa Program alumni choose to add to their professional development by returning for a second J-1 program.

This additional training can take you even closer to a great career, and is a wonderful way to explore new directions and develop new skills. However, there are certain restrictions applicable to second programs. Please read below for more information.

WHEN MAY I RETURN?

Click to Open

Per U.S. Department of State guidelines for second programs, you may be required to wait for a set period before returning to the U.S. for a second internship or training program. Please refer to the situations and minimum waiting periods below.

You completed a program as an intern and would like to return as an intern with the same host organization.
90 days if returning to the same host organization. (No wait period required if returning to a different host organization.)

You completed a program as an intern and would like to return as an intern with a different host organization.
No wait period required.

You completed a program as an intern and would like to return as a trainee.
2 years (as required by U.S. Department of State).

You completed a program as a trainee and wish to do another trainee program.
2 years (as required by U.S. Department of State).

You completed a program as a trainee and would like to return as an intern.
90 days if returning to the same host organization. (No wait period required if returning to a different host organization.)

Please note: The above minimum waiting periods are program requirements and are superseded by section 212(e) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, also known as the two-year home country physical presence requirement. Please consult your DS-2019 to see if you are subject to this requirement. Also note that interns and trainees may not shorten their current programs to become eligible for a second program.

HOW DO I APPLY?

Click to Open

You should contact your CIEE international representative to determine if you are eligible, and to request application materials. If you wish to return to the same host organization at which you previously completed an internship or training position, your new training plan should be different from your original. In other words, your training plan should demonstrate that you are learning new and different skills.