J-1 Irish Work and Travel (Graduate) Visa Program
At Rian Immigrant Center, we proudly sponsor the J-1 Irish Work and Travel visa, commonly known as the J-1 graduate visa. The J-1 graduate visa allows current Irish students and recent Irish graduates to complete an internship in the U.S. for up to 12 months. We are a U.S. Department of State designated visa sponsor. At Rian, our role is not only to sponsor your visa and create a pathway to an engaging year in the US, but to provide support and guidance throughout every step of the process. Our Rian J-1 visa program offers the unique opportunity to gain unparalleled experience in your field of study, launching the career you have dreamed of!
About our Program
Rian’s J-1 visa program allows Irish students and recent Irish graduates to intern in the U.S. in their field of study for up to 12 months to gain experience and enhance their future career and academic pursuits. To be eligible, students and graduates must have an Irish passport. The Rian Immigrant Center has supported more than 5,000 graduates and students on our program since 2008.
We sponsor the following visa:
J-1 Irish Work and Travel (Graduate Visa)
For Irish citizens who graduated from Irish universities, the IWT visa allows for travel to the U.S. without having secured an internship in advance. It is a work-based learning experience for you to advance your skills in your field of study. Throughout the internship search process, we will assist interns by offering tips on networking, interviewing, resume building for U.S. companies, securing appropriate positions when available, and more.
If you are interested in our visa program, please register your interest via our Rian J-1 website. If you have any questions about the Rian J-1 visa program, please email us at j1iwt@riancenter.org.
J-1 Program Purpose & Policy Regarding Mandatory Return to Ireland Upon Completion
The J-1 visa programs are US public diplomacy programs designed to foster global understanding through cultural exchange visits. This visa is an opportunity to gain international work experience for up to 12 months. As a non-immigrant visa, the J-1 is not to be used for long-term stay in the U.S. as declared by the U.S. Department of State. All program applicants will be required to sign a declaration of understanding that you are applying for a J-1 Visa, which is not a pathway to permanent status in the United States.
J-1 Summer Support
Although Rian Immigrant Center is not a sponsor of the J-1 Summer Work & Travel visa, we offer support to students as they settle into Boston and navigate life and work in the US. Please reach out to us on email j1iwt@riancenter.org, to take advantage of these services.
What Rian Immigrant Center’s J-1’s Are Saying
“The Rian step by step guide was so helpful as it laid everything out so well. Rian was so supportive. The process before getting to the US was made easy and the Rian team was so responsive to emails and my queries. Just go for it. Everyone should do this!”
— Ciara McGovern, 2025/2026
“The Rian J-1 program is a great service and exciting opportunity for many young people in Ireland. The Rian team has made it very accessible for me which I greatly appreciate.”
— Liusaidh Hopper, 2023/2024
