How to Extend your Internship USA Programme

The maximum the US Department of State allows a J1 intern to remain in the US at their Host Company is 12 months. If your original Internship was for this time, we are afraid you are not allowed to apply for an extension. However, if your original application was for less than this, you may well be eligible to apply to extend to the max 12 months allowed.
In order to apply, you and your Host Company in the US will need to complete an Extension Application form - in here you will need to show advancement from the original training plan in order to justify the extension to your programme!
Download your Application here (word doc)

IMPORTANT:

While an application to extend your programme in the US may well be approved, your original J1 visa wil expire at the end of your ORIGINAL PROGRAMME. Therefore, during your extension period, if you decide to leave the US, you will need to apply for a new J1 visa at the US Embassy in the UK in order to be able to re-enter the US to continue your programme. Please bear this in mind when making any travel plans!

THE US DEPARTMENT OF STATE DOES NOT ALLOW YOU TO EXTEND YOUR PROGRAMME IN THE US FOR THE PURPOSES OF CHANGING HOST COMPANIES - SORRY.

Once an application is approved, a new DS-2019 will be sent to your Host Company address.

REMEMBER - You MUST apply for an extension to your programme at least 6 weeks before the expiry of your J1 visa and original DS-2019.

Click here to go to the Application Download page, or choose the link from the menu

The fees for an extension are the same as those for the original Internship USA Programme - it is based on the amount of extra time you plan to be in the USA (not just the time you plan to remain at your Internship).
Please see the Internship Fees page, or use our Online Fees calculator to work out how much it will cost! If you or our Host company wish to pay in dollars, please email info@istplus.com for further information.

Please send your completed application and supporting documentation to:

USA Programmes
IST Plus
Rosedale House
Rosedale Road
Richmond
TW9 2SZ
UK