J-1 Visa Guide 2026: Summer Work Travel, Internships, Au Pair and the Two-Year Rule
How the J-1 exchange visa works in 2026: Summer Work Travel, intern and trainee programs, au pair pay and hours, real costs and the two-year home rule.
An au pair in the United States works up to 45 hours a week looking after a host family's children and receives a minimum weekly stipend of about $195.75, plus a private room, meals and $500 towards university classes. A university student on Summer Work Travel can spend up to four months working at a beach resort or national park. A recent graduate can do a paid or unpaid internship at a US company for up to a year.
All three run on the same visa: the J-1 Exchange Visitor visa. It is one of the few ways for young people from Africa, Asia and Latin America to work legally in the US without a degree-level job offer or a lottery. It is also widely misunderstood. The J-1 is a cultural exchange visa, not a work visa, and it comes with conditions that can follow you for years.
This guide covers the main work-related J-1 programs, what they pay, what they cost, and the rules you need to know before you sign with a sponsor.
In this guide
J-1 Visa at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Who it's for | Students, recent graduates, young professionals and au pairs taking part in State Department-approved exchange programs |
| Main work programs | Summer Work Travel, Intern, Trainee, Au Pair, Camp Counselor |
| Key document | Form DS-2019 from a designated sponsor |
| Government fees | $185 visa fee; SEVIS fee $35 (au pair, camp, SWT) or $220 (most others) |
| Program fees | Set by sponsors; can range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars |
| Duration | 4 months (SWT) to 18 months (trainees); au pairs 12 months plus extension |
| Two-year rule | Applies to some participants under section 212(e) |
| Official source | J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program |
How the J-1 System Works
You cannot apply for a J-1 directly with the US government. You apply to a designated sponsor: an organisation approved by the State Department to run a specific program category. The sponsor screens you, arranges or approves your placement, and issues Form DS-2019. You then pay the SEVIS fee and apply for the visa at a US embassy.
Many sponsors work with partner agencies in your country. That is normal, but it means fees can stack up. Always check that the US sponsor appears on the State Department's list of designated sponsors.
Your sponsor stays responsible for you during the program. It must be reachable around the clock for emergencies, check in with you regularly and help if a placement goes wrong. If your employer or host family treats you badly, contact the sponsor first. If the sponsor does not act, the State Department runs a J-1 helpline listed on your welcome materials.
The Main J-1 Work Programs
Summer Work Travel (SWT)
- Who: full-time university students at a classroom-based institution outside the US, who have completed at least one semester
- Length: up to four months, during your official summer break
- Jobs: seasonal work with regular contact with Americans: resorts, hotels, amusement parks, restaurants, national park concessions
- Rule for most readers: if you are not from a Visa Waiver Program country, your job must be arranged and vetted by the sponsor before you get the visa
Domestic work in private homes, commission-only sales and jobs needing a licence are not allowed.
Intern
- Who: students currently enrolled at a university outside the US, or graduates who finished no more than 12 months before the program start
- Length: up to 12 months
- Rules: structured learning with a training plan (Form DS-7002), on-site supervision, no more than 20% clerical work, no unskilled labour, childcare or patient care
Trainee
- Who: professionals with a degree plus at least one year of related work experience outside the US, or five years of experience without a degree
- Length: up to 18 months in most fields, 12 months in hospitality and tourism
Au Pair
- Who: ages 18 to 26, secondary school graduate, good spoken English, passes a background check and interview
- Length: 12 months, with an optional extension of 6, 9 or 12 months
- Hours: up to 10 hours a day and 45 hours a week
- Pay: minimum weekly stipend tied to the federal minimum wage (about $195.75 after a room and board credit); some states require more
- Education: at least six credit hours of study, with the host family paying up to $500
The EduCare option is for families with school-age children: up to 30 hours a week, 75% of the standard stipend, and up to $1,000 towards study.
Camp Counselor
Ages 18 and over, working as counsellors at US summer camps for up to four months. Pay is modest, but room and board are included.
What J-1 Participants Earn
| Program | Typical pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Summer Work Travel | At least federal, state or local minimum wage, often $12–$18/hour | Many work a second approved job |
| Intern | Paid or unpaid; paid internships vary widely | Unpaid internships are allowed if they meet labour law rules |
| Trainee | Usually paid; depends on field | Hotel and culinary trainees often near entry-level wages |
| Au Pair | About $195.75/week minimum, plus room, meals and $500 for study | Higher in some states |
| Camp Counselor | A fixed stipend for the season | Room and board included |
Typical SWT hourly range reflects state minimum wages in common SWT destinations; check your offer.
Be realistic about SWT money. After paying program fees, flights and US rent, many participants roughly break even or save a modest amount. The value is the experience, the English practice and the US work reference.
Costs Before You Go
| Cost | Amount |
|---|---|
| Visa application fee | $185 |
| SEVIS I-901 fee | $35 (SWT, au pair, camp) or $220 (intern, trainee, most others) |
| Visa integrity fee | At least $250 at visa issuance if collected at your embassy; check before your interview |
| Sponsor and agency fees | Varies widely; get a written breakdown |
| Health insurance | Required for the whole program; sometimes included in sponsor fees |
| Flights | Usually yours (au pair host families often cover part) |
The visa integrity fee was passed into law in 2025. As of October 2026 its rollout at embassies has been uneven, so ask your embassy or sponsor.
The Two-Year Home Residency Rule
Some J-1 participants must return to their home country for two years before they can get an H-1B, L-1, K visa or a green card. This is section 212(e) of US immigration law. It applies if:
- Your program was funded by the US government or your home government
- Your field is on the Exchange Visitor Skills List for your country
- You came for graduate medical training
In December 2024 the State Department revised the Skills List and removed more than 30 countries, including India, China and Brazil. The change applies retroactively, so some past participants are no longer subject to the rule. Check the current list on the State Department's website.
Most SWT participants and au pairs are not subject to 212(e) unless government funding was involved. Your DS-2019 and visa will show the consular officer's preliminary assessment. If you are subject, you can apply for a waiver, for example through a no objection statement from your home government in some cases.
Restrictions in 2026
- Travel ban. Since January 1, 2026, J visas are suspended for nationals of countries under full or partial restrictions, including Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Zimbabwe and Côte d'Ivoire. Check the State Department's notice.
- Social media review. Since June 2025, F, M and J applicants have been asked to make social media profiles public for consular review.
- Interview location. Apply in your country of nationality or residence.
Step-by-Step: How to Apply
- Choose your program and check that you meet the age, study and English rules.
- Find a designated sponsor on j1visa.state.gov, and compare fees.
- Apply and interview with the sponsor. For au pairs, this includes a profile and matching with host families.
- Get your placement (SWT job, internship plan, host family).
- Receive your DS-2019 and pay the SEVIS fee.
- Complete the DS-160 and pay the $185 visa fee.
- Attend your visa interview with your DS-2019, SEVIS receipt and proof of ties to home.
- Travel. You can enter up to 30 days before your program start date.
Documents Checklist
- Passport valid six months beyond your stay
- DS-2019 signed by you and the sponsor
- SEVIS I-901 payment receipt
- DS-160 confirmation and appointment letter
- Job offer, DS-7002 training plan, or host family details
- Proof of student status (SWT and interns)
- Proof of funds for initial expenses
- Evidence of ties: enrolment, family, job or property
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a J-1 visa without being a student?
Yes. Au pairs, trainees and camp counselors do not have to be students. Summer Work Travel requires current full-time enrolment, and interns must be enrolled or have graduated within the last 12 months.
How much does an au pair earn in the USA?
The federal minimum is about $195.75 a week after a credit for room and board, for up to 45 hours of childcare. Some states and host families pay more, and the family also contributes up to $500 towards your studies.
Can I stay in the US after my J-1 program?
You get a 30-day grace period to travel and prepare to leave. Changing to another status is possible in some cases, but not if you are subject to the two-year rule and have no waiver.
Can I work for any employer on a J-1?
No. You can only do the work your sponsor has approved. SWT participants can add a second job only with sponsor approval.
Does the J-1 lead to a green card?
No, it is designed as a temporary exchange. Later, some former participants qualify for other visas, such as H-1B, if they are not bound by the two-year rule.
Before You Apply
- Confirm that your sponsor is designated by the State Department and ask for all fees in writing.
- Check whether your nationality is affected by the 2026 visa restrictions.
- Check the Skills List for your country if you are a trainee or intern in a specialised field.
- Compare the J-1 with options like the Australia Working Holiday visa if you qualify.
Disclaimer: This guide is general information, not legal or immigration advice. Fees, quotas and requirements change often, so confirm every detail on the official government website before you apply or pay anyone. See our editorial policy.
