About Internships, Stages
About Internships, Practical Training, "Stages" in the U.S.
Every student who intends to do an internship, practical training or what Europeans call a "stage" in the United States must have the appropriate visa before he/she travels to the United States. Students may not travel on the Visa Waiver or with a B-1/B-2 tourist visa for such practical training. A visa is required, even if the student will not receive a salary from a U.S. source.
Please check out this video about doing an internship in the U.S.
In general, such students need to apply for an H-3 trainee visa (which is a temporary working visa) or a J-1 exchange visitor visa.
To apply for an H-3 trainee visa, the U.S. employer first has to file an I-129 temporary work petition with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). When USCIS has approved the petition, USCIS will send you an original Notice of Approval. On receipt of this document, you may apply for your visa.
If you want more information about studying and internships in the United States, please review the following:
- Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs;
- Commission for Educational Exchange Between the U.S. and
Belgium and Luxembourg
Keizerslaan 4 / Boulevard de l’Empereur, 4
1000 Brussels
(tel. 02/519-5772)
The process of securing the proper visa usually takes time. So, plan ahead and contact prospective employers as soon as possible.
Following is a list of approved sponsoring organizations. The list is not exhaustive and does not constitute any recommendation.
- Traineeships in Business and Industry in the United States
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World Exchange Program (WEP) Avenue de Jette 26 Jetselaan
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International Association of Students in Economics and Commerce (AIESEC) Washingtonstraat 40 / 1050 Brussels Belgium Tel. +32-(0)2/646-2420 |
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International Association for the Exchange of Students for Technical Experience (IAESTE) 10400 Little Patuxent Parkway Suite 250 Columbia, MD 21044-3510 Tel: (410)-997-3068 |
International Education Dr. Vandeperrestraat 358 2240 Geel Tel: +32-(0)14-72 41 55
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American University Washington Semester Internship Program 4400 Massachusetts Avenue NW Washington DC 20016-8083 Tel: (202)-895-4944 |
Languages and Travel Faiderstraat 90 / rue Faider, 90 1050 Brussels Tel: +32-(0)2/646-9770 |
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Belgian American Chamber of Commerce www.belcham.org |
- Agricultural Traineeships
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Future Farmers of America Waversebaan 99 B-3050 Oud-Heverlee Belgium Tel: +32/(0)16/47-9998 |
Minnesota Agriculture Student-Trainee Program Stichting Uitwisseling PO Box 9225 1800 GE Alkmaar |
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Other Work Programs, Holiday Camps, Volunteer Work
(see also Au Pair Programs)
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Boy Scouts of America North Brunswick, NJ 08902 |
Girl Scouts of the USA 830 Third Avenue New York, NY 10022 |
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Camp America American Institute for Foreign Study 37A Queens Gate London SW7 5HR Tel: +44-171/581-7373 |
Camp Counselor USA (CCUSA) Mr. G. Van Raemdonck Chemin de Manet, 7 1330 Rixensart Tel: +32-(0)2/653-8793 |
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COSMOlingua Karel Govaertsstraat 23-25 2100 Deurne Tel: +32-(0)3/236-4400 |
Council of International Programs (CIP) 1420 K Street NW, Suite 8000 Washington DC 20005-2401 |
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International Counselor Exchange Program See: World Exchange Program Tel: +32-(0)2/534-5350 |
VIA-IJU Draakstraat 73 2018 Antwerp Tel: +32-(0)3/235-9419 |
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Amity International Teacher Program c/o Commission for Educational Exchange Keizerslaan 4 / Boulevard de l’Empereur, 4 1000 Brussels Tel: +32-(0)2/519-5772 |
YMCA International Camp Counselor Program 71 West 23rd Street, Suite 1904 New York, NY 10010 Tel: (212)727-8800 |
- Exchange Programs for Teenage Students
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AFS Brand Whitlocklaan 134 / Av. Brand Whitlock, 134 1200 Brussels Tel: +32-(0)2/735-8525 (Dutch) +32-(0)2/735-2661 (French) |
American Institute for Foreign Study New Windrose Paul Dejaerlaan 21A / 1060 Brussels Tel: +32-(0)2/534-5350 |
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AYUSA/TILC Avenue V. Riethisen, 11 1080 Brussels Tel: +32-(0)2/420-0908 |
COSMOlingua Karel Govaertsstraat 23-25 2100 Deurne Tel: +32-(0)3/236-4400 |
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Educatieve Uitwisseling YFY Vlaanderen Koning Albertlaan 32 3000 Leuven Tel: +32-(0)16/29-0674 |
Educational Foundation for Foreign Study Stassartstraat 117 / Rue Stassart, 117 1050 Brussels Tel: +32-(0)2/513-6699 |
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Global Cultural Exchange Anneessensplein 11 / Place Anneessens, 11 1000 Brussels Tel: +32-(0)2/733-4387 |
Rotary International Student Exchange Programs Tassenière 13 5500 Dinant Tel: +32-(0)82/22-6836 |
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World Exchange Program (WEP) Avenue de Jette 26 Jetselaan |
Youth for Understanding YFU – Vlaanderen Internationale Uitwisselingen Regastraat 47 3000 Leuven Tel: +32-(0)16/29-0614 OR: Bruxelles/Wallonie Echanges Internationales Rue Saint-Thomas, 32 4000 Liège Tel: +32-(0)4/223-7668 |
IMPORTANT PAMPHLET
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For Certain Employment or Education-Based Nonimmigrants (Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Act)
If you are coming to the United States to work or study, we are confident that you will have a pleasant and rewarding stay. If you should encounter any problems, however, know that you have rights and can get help. The U.S. Department of State’s website contains an informative pamphlet that informs you of your rights as a nonimmigrant visa holder in certain employment- and education-based categories (specifically A-3, G-5, NATO-7, B-1 domestic employees, H-1B, H-1B1, H-2A, H-2B, and J-1 visa holders). A Pdf format version of the pamphlet is available here. (PDF - 523 kb)
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