Your J-1 visa cost includes sponsor services, government fees, and required insurance. Global Internships bundles several of these items into a country-specific program fee, so check what is included before adding separate charges.
We’ve based this on the published fees from Global Internships, the J-1 internship and trainee sponsorship program operated by Intrax. Intrax has sponsored work-based training programs since 2003, and provides transparent current pricing to show you what to expect at each stage and which costs are paid to the government versus your sponsor.
J-1 Visa Government Fees
J-1 Intern and Trainee applicants normally pay a visa application fee and a SEVIS fee. A visa issuance fee depends on nationality:
- Visa application fee: $185. Normally paid to the U.S. Department of State for your DS-160 visa application. Follow your consulate's payment instructions and check the current fees for visa services.
- SEVIS I-901 fee: $220. This registers you in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. Global Internships includes it in its quoted program fee and Intrax pays it on your behalf. Keep the payment confirmation for your interview; do not add another $220 to the calculator quote.
- Visa issuance (reciprocity) fee: varies by nationality. Check the J-1 entry in the U.S. visa reciprocity schedule. The current schedules list no J-1 issuance fee for Germany or France, while Brazil lists $102. An applicable fee is payable on issuance.
J-1 Sponsor Program Fees
Global Internships' 2027 pricing calculator quotes a bundled program fee by country of permanent residence and program length. The currency and insurance inclusion vary by country, so there is no single worldwide sponsor price.
- Included services: application review, J-1 visa services, SEVIS, and program support. Do not add a separate application fee or SEVIS fee to the calculator's program fee.
Six-month internship program examples, before optional services and separate government charges:
- Germany: €1,140, excluding insurance
- France: €1,390, including insurance
- Brazil: US$1,900, including insurance
- Other countries: select your country of permanent residence and program length in the pricing calculator.
Longer internship program examples, before optional services and separate government charges:
- Germany, 12 months: €1,440, excluding insurance
- France, 12 months: €1,810, including insurance
- Duration limits: 13- to 18-month quotes are for eligible Trainee programs, subject to category-specific limits. Intern programs cannot exceed 12 months. Confirm your approved dates and current quote with Intrax.
Insurance, mandatory for every exchange visitor under Department of State requirements:
- Included coverage: the France and Brazil examples above include insurance for the selected program length.
- Separate coverage: Germany's quote excludes insurance. German applicants who apply through our office in Berlin have the option to arrange for their own insurance coverage.
What does mandatory insurance actually have to cover? Department of State minimums require at least $100,000 in medical benefits per accident or illness, $25,000 for repatriation of remains, $50,000 for medical evacuation, and a deductible of no more than $500 per incident.
When insurance is included in your quote, it covers you for the entire program. Review the coverage details on the Global Internships insurance plan page. Additional services and applicable fees vary by country, so do not budget against a worldwide monthly rate.
Optional services have region and market specific fees. Global Internships offers expedited DS-2019 processing in four business days after a complete application, full payment, and confirmation that the host company is compliant.
What a 6-Month J-1 Internship Costs
For a French citizen's six-month direct sponsorship, the calculator gives the following example. Sponsor and government charges use different currencies, so keep them separate:
- Application review: included in the program fee
- Program fee, France, six months: €1,390
- SEVIS I-901 fee: included, paid by Intrax on your behalf
- Required insurance: included in this France quote
- What you pay your sponsor: €1,390 before optional services
The base budget for this France example is €1,390 plus US$185, before optional services, any additional government charge confirmed by your post, travel, and living costs. France's current J-1 reciprocity schedule lists no issuance fee.
That total doesn’t include:
- Flights
- Housing and living costs (rent, food, and transportation in your host city)
- Interview travel (getting to your nearest U.S. embassy or consulate)
- Despesas pessoais
If your internship is paid, your earnings will offset some of those costs. For more details, use our intern pay calculator and see our guide on how much interns get paid by field and state.
Does the J-1 Visa Cost More From Certain Countries?
Yes. Global Internships' program fees, currencies, and insurance inclusion vary by country of residence and program length. Compare the selected country quote rather than assuming the France example applies worldwide:
- Reciprocity fees: check your nationality's J-1 schedule for any issuance fee, in addition to the visa application fee.
- Interview logistics: If you live far from a U.S. consulate, you may need accommodation
- Local partner services: If you apply through an agency or university partner in your home country rather than directly, their service fees may come on top of sponsor fees
J-1 Visa Cost for Employers
U.S. companies generally do not pay the J-1 visa fees that participants pay to the government. Instead, companies typically work with a designated J-1 sponsor, which handles the DS-2019, SEVIS registration, and required program oversight. Any fees paid by the employer depend on the sponsor and the services provided.
A site visit is required for a host that has not previously participated successfully in that sponsor's Intern or Trainee program and has fewer than 25 employees or less than US$3 million in annual revenue. Academic institutions and federal, state, and local government offices are excluded from this particular requirement. Ask Intrax to confirm the requirement, country-specific fee, and who will be invoiced. See 22 CFR 62.22(g)(4). You can find more information on our companies page.
Employers should also budget for the intern's compensation. Paid J-1 internships must meet applicable wage requirements, so the cost will depend on factors such as the location, position, and state minimum wage laws.
How to Afford Your J-1 Visa
J-1 costs can add up, but you do not necessarily have to pay everything at once. Here are a few ways to plan for the expense:
- Choose a paid placement: Most professional internships through Global Internships are paid, and Premium Hospitality Internships at luxury properties pay a minimum of $14 per hour in Front Office, $15 per hour in Kitchen, and $10 per hour plus tips in Food & Beverage Service. If you are earning income during your program, that can help offset your overall expenses.
- Know your payment schedule: you pay Intrax and the U.S. government separately, at different points in the process. Here is what is due and when:
- Due to Intrax before your DS-2019 is released: your full program fee, which covers application review, the SEVIS fee, and insurance where your quote includes it. The amount depends on your country of permanent residence, program length, and selected services.
- Due to the U.S. government when you schedule your visa appointment: the visa application fee, normally US$185, paid directly by you.
- Insurance: included for some countries; arranged separately for Germany and verified by Intrax.
- Ask whether your host company provides financial support: Some employers may contribute toward program-related expenses or housing. If you already have an offer, it is worth asking whether any costs are covered or reimbursed.
- Prepare evidence of your financial resources: Before your visa interview, make sure you can explain how you plan to cover your expenses in the United States. This may include personal savings, family support, or income from your internship. Bring appropriate documentation if requested, and make sure your financial plan is consistent with the information in your application. Our guide to J-1 visa interview questions covers what to expect.
Know Your J-1 Visa Costs Before You Apply
The total J-1 visa cost depends on your sponsor, program length, and requested services. Before choosing a sponsor, confirm which fees are included, which are paid separately, and when each payment is due.
For the six-month France example, the base budget is €1,390 plus the normal US$185 visa application fee. Application review, SEVIS, and insurance are included in that sponsor quote. Check the pricing calculator and confirm any additional charges before committing.
If you are considering a J-1 internship or trainee program, contact Global Internships with your country of permanent residence, program dates, and requested services to confirm your quote and payment schedule.
FAQ
What financial proof do you need to show for your J-1 visa interview?
Bring bank statements, a sponsor letter, and your host company's offer letter showing your pay if your internship is paid, and be ready to explain in plain terms how you will support yourself for the length of your program. Consular officers want to see that you can cover your internship beyond what your program fees pay for, since program fees do not include living costs.
What happens to the fees you already paid if your J-1 visa is denied?
The U.S. visa application fee is nonrefundable. Under Global Internships' current refund policy, a partial refund after visa denial may be available depending on services already provided, and some charges are nonrefundable. You must notify Intrax before your J-1 program start date to be eligible for any refund. Confirm the applicable terms with your advisor before paying.
How much does it cost to bring a spouse or child on a J-1 visa?
Each J-2 dependent needs a DS-2019 and normally pays a separate US$185 visa application fee. J-2 dependents do not pay a separate SEVIS I-901 fee. Global Internships' pricing calculator quotes a dependent add-on that includes the J-2 DS-2019 and insurance. For Germany or France, the six-month add-on is €1,470 per dependent, before separate government charges.
Is your J-1 visa program fee tax deductible?
No, in most cases. The IRS generally treats visa fees, SEVIS fees, and program fees as personal expenses, which are not deductible on your tax return. There is a narrower argument in some circumstances for treating these as a business expense, but that depends heavily on your specific situation, so talk to a tax professional rather than assuming a deduction applies. Our guide to J-1 visa tax returns covers the broader tax picture.
