Mar 1, 2013 ... Otherwise you may need to ask your department to write a letter ... make any
request well in advance of your visa application ... http://www.fulbright.org.uk/
study-in-the-usa/short-term-work-opportunities/intern-programme.
GETTING A VISA FOR YOUR INTERNSHIP If you are planning an internship outside the UK during or on completion of your studies, including through the Oxford University Internship Programme, it is important that you find out early what kind of visa you may need to apply for. This information sheet is provided as a guide for both UK and International students. Points to bear in mind include: Most internships have to be taken whilst enrolled in full time study or within 12 months of graduating The term “internship” is widely used in the US and UK but may not be used in relation to working in other countries Start to look for visa information from the Embassy or Consulate in the UK of the country you plan to go to, under the “visa” section. There is a list here: http://www.fco.gov.uk/resources/en/protocol/ldl-april-12 Consider asking your employer or host organisation what visa arrangements interns have already made. However remember that you will normally be responsible for researching and applying for a visa. If you are applying via the Oxford Internship Programme, you may not be able to approach an employer before your place has been finalised You will usually be using websites and email for information and communication. Telephone numbers on websites for the visa sections are often premium rate and it is often difficult to get through. Be careful not to go to an unofficial sound-alike agent’s website. Investigate where the consular/visas services operate and check processing times well in advance. Many countries now have official partner organisations which handle visa applications (agents). Use the Embassy’s website to find out who these are. Check carefully whether any “visa waiver” would cover you for an internship or whether this only applies to visitors Visa processing times vary but you should allow plenty of time to obtain the necessary visa and apply as early as possible. However, some countries may prohibit applications more than a certain amount of time in advance of travel Some countries may require a certain amount of time left on your student visa for the UK You may be able to print and use an enrolment certificate from student self service as proof of student status. Otherwise you may need to ask your department to write a letter giving specific information as required by the relevant country. Allow time for this and make any request well in advance of your visa application It is likely that you will need a letter from the receiving institution/employer If you require a letter from Oxford University, the Internship Office at the Careers Service may be able to provide this. Please email
[email protected]. You may also need evidence of your finances, address where you will be staying, travel insurance, confirmation of return travel You may have to make a personal visit at some stage during the visa issuing process. Most establishments are based in London but some have satellite offices in other major cities (eg Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh) March 2013
It may be useful to pool information with other past and prospective interns, but be careful of applying other people’s experience with your own situation. You must carefully check legal requirements for yourself. Even if you do not require a visa for the country concerned, you may still need to have all the relevant documentation about the internship available to present at border control
USA The visa type typically used for internships in the US is a J-1 Exchange Visitor visa. You need to be sponsored for this J-1 visa by an approved organisation who specialise in sponsoring interns. The sponsor will need to provide you with a DS-2019 form which is required when you apply for your J-1 visa. The visa application will involve applying online (DS-160 non-immigrant application) and an interview at the US Embassy. There is information on applying on the US Embassy site: http://london.usembassy.gov/nonimmigrant-visas.html You will probably be required to provide supporting documents, which are likely to include:
the DS-2019 form from your visa sponsor evidence of your study in the UK (though this may be covered by your DS-2019 form) current passport photograph – you will need to have uploaded a photo onto your DS-160 application form evidence that you have enough money for your stay, for example your bank statements (be careful to look out for information indicating specifically what evidence is required during your application process (though this may be covered by your DS-2019 form)
If you are organising an internship independently, the Fulbright Commission have a webpage on internships in the US which may be helpful: http://www.fulbright.org.uk/study-in-the-usa/short-term-work-opportunities/intern-programme An example of an organisation which sponsors US interns is: http://www.interexchange.org/career-training-usa/internship-co-op-trainee-job/finding-internship-usa This is not a recommendation but provided as an example. You should make sure that you use an organisation that is approved. It is likely that a fee will be charged.
RUSSIA All visa applications (including employment) for Russia are handled through their agent VFS Global. http://ru.vfsglobal.co.uk/Workshort.html The main documents required are:
A letter of invitation from the Russian Federal Migration Service or a telex from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs At least 6 months validity left on your passport after the expiry of the work visa issued A valid HIV certificate To ensure speedier processing of your visa, you should provide proof of residence in the UK for the previous 90 days. March 2013
AUSTRALIA There does not appear to be a designated visa for internships in Australia. There is:
A subclass 457 visa for “employer sponsored workers” which might be the correct visa, allowing a temporary work visa which can lead to a permanent visa. The Temporary Work and Specialist Entry visa, where there is a category for an “exchange” (subclass 411), appears to be more than work experience The “Sponsored Training” visa which is broken into three different categories (Training and Research (where there is an Occupational Trainee Stream), Professional Development and Occupational Trainee – same name but has different criteria)
http://www.immi.gov.au/skilled/ Plus a Sponsored Training visa: http://www.immi.gov.au/students/sponsored/
BRAZIL You need to apply for a “Temporary Visa Item V” (VITEM V), which allows foreign students to take part in a temporary contract of employment. Unlike the VITEM IV internship visa, this does not require a student to enrol at a Brazilian university, but you do have to use a student exchange institution (such as IAESTE or AIESEC) as an intermediary. Your will need to obtain a Police Certificate which will take between 2 and 10 days to arrive. For further information, see http://cglondres.itamaraty.gov.br/en-us/internship_visa.xml
CANADA For information on the possibility of interning in Canada, see the website of International Experience Canada. This scheme facilitates temporary working and experience in Canada for people under 35 from countries with a reciprocal agreement. Internships come under ‘International Coop’ (note that this category is not available to UK nationals though they may use the ‘working holidaymaker’ category). If your country does not come under the IEC scheme, you may still be able to arrange an internship through a Recognised Organisation. See http://www.international.gc.ca/experience/partners_in-partenaires_entrant.aspx?lang=eng&view=d
CHINA You will need to apply for an F-Visa before travel. Your passport must be valid for 6 months, and have at least one blank page. You will need to apply through the Chinese Visa Application Service Centre: http://www.visaforchina.org/LON_EN/ . If you are an international student you will need to check whether you are able to apply from the UK. You will need an invitation letter from the organisation you will be interning with.
March 2013
INDIA All foreign nationals require a visa to enter India. You will need to apply through VFS Global. An ‘Entry Visa’ is required for an unpaid internship. See http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/entryvisa.html . You will need an invitation letter from the host organisation plus a letter from your Oxford college/department or the Internship Office (
[email protected]).Note that the visa you receive will be ‘single entry’, so you will not be able to leave India and re-enter during its period of validity. If your internship will be paid, or if you are going to be working for an NGO, you may need an Employment Visa. See http://in.vfsglobal.co.uk/employmentvisa.html
SINGAPORE Work visas are also referred to as Passes in Singapore. Information is available through the Ministry of Manpower, as well as the main Embassy website. The Working Holiday Pass allows those in full time education or recent graduates to obtain permission to work for a maximum of 6 months. You have to be between 18 and 25 years old and there is a quota system for this Pass. Specific documents are required as proof of enrolment or completion of an academic qualification. For more information see: http://www.mom.gov.sg/pass-navigator/i-am-a-foreign-national-i-wish-to-come-to-singapore-towork/Pages/i-wish-to-do-an-internship-undergo-training-in-singapore.aspx http://www.mfa.gov.sg/content/mfa/overseasmission/london/consular_services/working_in_singapore.html Other visas/passes are available but are geared to long term employment which may incur sponsorship or a training attachment which is an assessed part of your studies.
SOUTH AFRICA http://southafricahouseuk.com/visas/vis_needvis.html If you are going to South Africa for an unpaid internship for a maximum of 90 days you may not need to apply for a visa before travel. On arrival, show your internship agreement.
EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA COUNTRIES AND SWITZERLAND UK , EEA and Swiss nationals will be able to go to any EEA country or Switzerland for an internship without specific permission from that country’s immigration authorities. If you are not an EEA or Swiss national, you will need to check with the Embassy of the country you are planning to go to whether you need a visa for an internship for that country. You cannot assume that you will not need a visa or need to complete entry formalities just because you could go there visa free as a tourist.
Please note: this sheet gives information that has been collected from sources such as the websites of the countries specified and we have checked it as carefully as we can. The University however accepts no legal responsibility for its accuracy. It is your responsibility to make sure that you have the correct immigration permission or visa for your planned internship.
March 2013
