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.

Accordions

Per U.S. Department of State guidelines, you may be required to complete a waiting period before returning to the U.S. on a second internship or training program. Please refer to the situations and minimum waiting periods below.
All additional training positions must expose participants to new skills, tasks, responsibilities, and cultural engagement, while still providing a meaningful training opportunity.

I completed an internship and would like to return as an intern again.

  • If you are repeating the internship program with a new host organization, a wait period of 90 days is required between internship programs.
  • If you are repeating the internship program and returning to the same host organization, a wait period of 8 months (equivalent to two semesters) is required between internship programs. You may return to the same host organization if additional training clearly demonstrates an advancement in skills/tasks from previous internship.

I completed an internship and would like to return for a professional career training program.
A wait period of two years is required.

I completed a professional career training program and would like to return as a trainee again.
A wait period of two years is required between Professional Career Training USA programs. 

I completed a professional career training program and would like to return for an internship.
A wait period of 8 months (equivalent to two semesters) is required. 

Please note: The above minimum waiting periods are program requirements and are superseded by section 212(e) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act, also known as the two-year home country physical presence requirement.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

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.

If your DS-2019 indicates that you are subject to the two-year home country physical presence requirement (section 212(e) of the U.S. Immigration and Nationality Act), then you will be required to return to your home country for a minimum of two years before returning to the U.S. on certain types of visas. For more information, please contact U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services or the U.S. Department of State.