Current participants on USIT’s Internship/Professional Career Training USA programme will find helpful information regarding their stay in the US. You will also find valuable information on extending your traineeship if you are eligible to do this.

What is required of me once I am in the US?

• If you do not already have a social security number you should apply for one at your local Social Security Administration office as soon as possible.
• All participants on exchange visitor programmes to the US must register their details in SEVIS within 30 days of arriving in the US. You may register via www.mysevis.com – Please note that failure to register in SEVIS can lead to revocation of your visa and an inability to travel to the US ever again!
• Make sure that you and your Host Company complete all CIEE evaluations that are sent to you – these evaluations are part of the US Government requirements.
• If you intend to travel outside of the US you will need to have your DS-2019 signed by a responsible officer at CIEE in Boston. You must do this whether you’re going to Canada for a weekend or returning home for the holidays. Make sure to plan ahead!

If you have any problems or questions regarding the points above, please check out the following FAQS

I would like to extend my stay in the US. How do I do this?

If you would like to extend your traineeship you must download and complete the extension application form, and fax it to the Internship/PCT USA Department, 19/21 Aston Quay, O'Connell Bridge, Dublin 2, fax: +3531 602 1709. If you have any questions about completing your forms please e-mail us at internshipusa@usit.ie
You will need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your computer in order to view the file. Most computers in colleges, universities and Internet cafes are loaded with this software. If you don't have Adobe Acrobat installed on your computer you can download it at the left in the Related Links section. You can download the Application Form and Guidelines at the left in the Related Links section too. If you have any problems downloading the Application Form and Guidelines or have any questions about completing your forms please e-mail us at internshipusa@usit.ie
All information must be received at least 6 weeks before your current DS-2019 expires. In support of your extension application we request that you send the following information (faxed copies will be accepted on 00 353 1602 1709):

• Completed Payment Form along with clearly written credit card authorisation for the appropriate extension fee (see pdf).
• The Internship/PCT Extension Form filled out and signed by you, your employer, and if you are an
• Internship USA participants must have forms sign and stamped by your college/university or provide a copy of your parchment .
• A copy of your original Training Plan or DS-7002.
• A copy of the J1 Visa from your passport.
• A copy of your original DS-2019.
• A copy of your original insurance policy.

Once all of the above information is received it will be reviewed for eligibility by the Dublin office. If approved, Council Exchanges in Boston will issue a new DS-2019 with the corresponding extension dates, which they will forward directly to your employer's address in the US. Be sure to sign your extension DS-2019, and keep it with your passport. (Please note that unless otherwise requested, mailings will be sent to you care of your employer.)

Restrictions:

• No extension can be granted after the expiration of your initial DS-2019.
• An extension can only be granted to continue a placement with the same employer.
• The change in regulations means that if you originally qualified for the programme as a PCT, but now fall under the Intern eligibility your extension will be processed as an Intern and you will only be allowed to stay in the US for a maximum of 12 months. There is no exception to this.
• You will not be issued with more than three DS-2019s for one programme. This means you are only allowed to extend your programme twice.
• The total period of your placement in the US must not exceed 12 months for Interns and 18 months for Trainees. (For example, if your current PCT is one year, the maximum that you can extend for is six months.)

Important - Please read the following:

The current J-1 Visa in your passport will expire at the end of your original internship dates. If you extend your training, you are legal to remain and work in the US once a new DS-2019 has been issued, even if the J-1 entry visa has expired. If you intend to leave the US (once your current visa has expired), you will have to apply to the US Embassy in your home country for a new J-1 to allow you to re-enter the US again (your J-1 visa is your multiple entry status in and out of the US). This visa application can only be made in Ireland and you must be present in Ireland while the application is being made. Please note that there is currently a fee of €80 for the issue of any non-immigrant visa, which is charged by the US Embassy or Consulate.

In the event of you having your visa extended in Ireland, please also note:

• You will have to undergo the same process you did when you applied for your original J1 Visa. You will be required to pay the Visa Application fee, complete all of the forms and documentation again.
• Approval for a new J-1 is NOT GUARANTEED – the US Embassy can reject you, so make sure to give them no reason to by having all of your documentation and by reading all of the information below.
• USIT can arrange the appointment for you if you are going to the Embassy in Dublin, but please contact us via e-mail at internshipusa@usit.ie at least four weeks before you intend to be home with your appointment availability. Keep in mind when making your travel arrangements that the US Embassy/Consulate will return your visa to you via post!
• The US Embassy/Consulate in Ireland will not issue your new extension visa prior to the expiration of your current visa & DS-2019.
• In the event of you returning home to Ireland to have a new extension visa issued, the US Embassy/Consulate will not issue a new visa for you, if you do not have your DS-2019 signed by a responsible officer in Council Exchanges.
• You MUST have your DS-2019 signed by a responsible officer in Council Exchanges, Boston if you plan to leave the US at any point during your Internship. If you do not have this done, you will experience many problems at US Immigration upon your re-entry into the US again.

Also, should you apply for a new extension visa in Ireland, the US Embassy/Consulate will require you to submit a full US bank statement confirming funds of at least $350, as well as your passport, passport photo, visa application fee, signed DS-2019, return evidence and completed DS156, DS157, DS158 forms (these forms can be obtained from http://dublin.usembassy.gov and any questions on this can be directed to internshipusa@usit.ie).