The U.S. has excellent internship and trainee programs for foreigners. Houston is especially popular with medical students as it has a world-renowned medical center with cancer research other outstanding programs.
The following are visas that you need to apply for, in your home country at a U.S. consulate, depending on purpose of training:
H-3 Trainee Visa
If you are relocating to the U.S. to receive training (other than medical education) which is not available in your home country, then you qualify for an H-3 non-immigrant visa, also called H-3 Trainee visa.
There is no annual cap except for H-3 non-immigrants participating in special education (disabilities) programs, which is limited to 50 visas annually.
Dependents will qualify for an H-4 Visa which prohibits them from working in the U.S.
An applicant for an H-3 must provide the following:
- (Form I-129) Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
- Financial proof to be able to support themselves
- Company or program’s petition and documents
J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa
Visitors as part of an exchange program, such as educational, cultural enrichment, or medical studies, qualify for a J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa. The most common programs are au-pair, foreign scholar and medical student programs. The programs must be approved by the U.S. Department of State.
The exchange visitor must be submit a DS2019 form (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Status) by the program sponsor along with their non-immigrant visa application. Application for the visa should be submitted to the U.S. consulate in the home country 3 – 4 months prior to program start date.
Dependents will receive a J-2 Visa which prohibits them from working in the U.S.
An applicant for an J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa must provide the following:
- Financial proof to be able to support themselves
- DS 2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Status from program sponsor
- Form DS-7002 Training/Internship Placement Plan
- A completed DS-156 Nonimmigrant Visa Application with form DS-157
For more information on the J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa, visit http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1267.html
To download the forms for the J-1 Visa from the U.S. Department of State, please visit http://www.state.gov/m/a/dir/forms/
