Your First Day

The first day at your internship or training position will include the completion of paperwork and an orientation. If anything seems confusing, feel free to ask questions of your supervisor.

On your first day, bring the following documents with you:

Passport and J-1 visa
DS-2019 form
DS-7002 Training/Internship Placement Plan
Receipt showing that you have applied for a Social Security number (if you have already applied)

During your first day, you should also complete these forms:

I-9 form: This form confirms your employment eligibility. The form will ask for a Social Security number; if you have not been issued one yet, your host organization can add it at a later date.
W-4 form: For paid positions, your host organization will automatically deduct money from your paycheck to pay for federal taxes. The W-4 tells your host organization how much to deduct.

How to fill out the W-4:
Since interns and trainees are considered non-resident aliens, the standard instructions on how to fill out a W-4 form do not apply. Please follow these instructions instead:

The “Personal Allowances Worksheet” at the top of the W-4 is for U.S. residents only. You do not need to use it.
On line 1, enter your personal information (including your U.S. address).
On line 2, enter your Social Security Number (SNN). If you have not been issued a SSN but have applied for one, write ‘Applied For’.
On line 3, which pertains to marital status, choose “single” regardless of your actual marital status.
On line 4, leave blank.
On line 5, claim only one withholding allowance (enter “1”).
On line 6, write “Nonresident Alien” or “NRA” above the dotted line.
On line 7, leave blank. J-1 visitors cannot claim to be exempt.
On lines 8-10, leave blank.
Sign and date the form.

Please note: Most U.S. states also tax income, meaning you may have to fill out an addition state tax form. The state tax form may look different from the federal tax form, but asks for the same information and should be filled out the same way.

If you have questions about the federal or state W-4, or the I-9 form, please check with your supervisor or the human resources department at your host organization. If your host organization asks you to fill out any other tax forms, such as the 1099 form, please contact CIEE immediately.