USIT Grad USA
Just graduated? Hats off! Put what’s on paper into practice with a year working in your academic field in America – with the flexibility to find your position when you arrive.
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Stand out and see the world
If this was a Friends episode, it would be ‘The One That Almost Got Away.’ Why? Because you only have 12 months from your grad cert date to enter the USA on this one-time visa. The bridge between college and your career, Grad USA is the chance to... Read more
Why do it with USIT?
USIT has been running work and travel programs to the US since 1959. Part of the same travel family as leading US visa sponsor, IENA, we have all the sponsorship knowledge and end-to-end expertise on one team – with no middle folk.
Unique to this visa, you must find your position within 90 days of arriving in the US. Before you go, our team can dive into your degree and advise on the types of graduate positions you can do and companies you should target.
From defining your career goals to converting your CV to an American resume - you'll find start to finish guidance on sourcing your position on our Intern Hub. Plus, a directory of US employers where past Irish participants have interned.
Aged 18+
Graduate-only visa
1-year US sponsorship
Intern anywhere in the USA
CV and placement resources
90 days to find a position
€1,299
Holly, USA Intern
Need to know
What is Grad USA?
Exclusive to Ireland, this US graduate visa allows Irish students and grads to work in the USA for up to a year in professional internships related to your field of study. You can work anywhere in the USA, doing paid or unpaid positions, and you’re not limited to one year-long internship. You can do multiple shorter placements with 30 days of travel permitted in-between – giving you the freedom to live on different coasts, travel around the States, and add more varied work experience to your CV.
Reasons to do Grad USA
Professional experience
Getting practical work experience can be essential to nailing that first job after college. You’ll get hands-on industry expertise – learning from experts outside a lecture hall. Plus, secure that all-important employee reference for your CV.
Cultural exposure
In an interconnected world, having a global POV is important when starting your career. By working overseas you'll get exposure to different business practices, cultural environments and industry opportunities that aren't available in Ireland.
Experience America
Representing every sector and size of business, America is the leading place in the world to intern – and has an established internship culture to match. You'll get to live like a local in the city of your choice – growing personally as well as professionally.
Who can apply
To go on this program, you must:
And be able to fulfil one of the below student requirements:
When to apply
On this visa, you must enter the USA within 12 months of your grad cert date. For example, if your grad cert date is 15 September, you must enter the USA by 14 September the following year. However, it can take around 12 weeks to go through the visa and sponsorship process, so you'd need to be applying in the June.
Other US programs
If you haven’t graduated yet and are looking for a summer internship or an internship as part of your course, check out our Internship USA program. If you’re not a student, look at our Trainee USA program or give the team a call to chat through your options.
What you can do
About your internship
Your internship must be related to your area of study and you must find your internship when you're in the USA - within 90 days of arriving. Internships can be paid or unpaid, and you're not restricted to one 12-month internship. You can do multiple shorter internships - with 30 days to travel between positions.
How much you can expect to earn
If your internship is paid, the salary will be negotiated directly with your host company, and will vary depending on the city and company you intern for. You can typically expect to earn between USD $2,100-6,500 a month.
Help finding your internship
Although you have to secure your placement when you arrive, you're not alone! We'll work with you to look at your academic experience and what direction you want your career to take. Based on past participants who’ve interned in the USA with the same degree, we can shortlist companies for you to target. Plus, you'll have access to our Intern Hub.
Created by our Intern Team, you'll find step-by-step guidance on how to source your position - plus, handy downloadable templates for emails, resumes, visa letters and more. You'll also find a directory of US employers that have taken on past interns from this program. Hosted on our JENZA Travel Group parent site, check out our free Intern Hub resources here.
Considering NYC?
If you're looking to settle in New York, we also include a one-year membership to the IBO (Irish Business Organization) of New York. The IBO provide evening networking opportunities, monthly Zoom breakfast meetings and member-only events.
Approving your internship
On this type of visa, you are responsible for securing your own internships and have 90 days when you land in the USA to find a position and have it approved by IENA – your US visa sponsor. This is to ensure that your placements meet visa and labour requirements. This may include site visits to your prospective employer, which are covered in your program fee.
Where you can do it
Industries you can work in
Popular industries for Irish graduates to work in America are construction, engineering, tech, politics, law, finance, science, architecture, media, publishing, marketing and fashion – but you can intern in any field as long as it is related to your education. Previous participants have done everything from script editing at Universal Studios to assisting at the Federal Attorneys Office.
Industries not permitted on this visa
There are some roles within certain industries such as agriculture, teaching and medicine that aren’t permitted, but our Grad USA team will be able to guide you around these restrictions and help you find a position within that industry that is likely to be approved by our sponsor. For more on the industries you can intern in, check out our FAQs.
Where you can work
Popular destinations for Irish graduates are New York, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and San Francisco – but you can live and work almost anywhere in the States on this visa. You also don’t have to stay in one place. You could have a fairytale winter interning in New York and an all-American summer working in LA, with a classic road trip in-between.
Just remember… The ethos of the Grad USA program is to gain experience in your field of study and bring that experience home to Ireland at the end of your visa. If you wish to pursue a career in the USA, please do not apply for this visa. Participants should not view this program as an avenue to obtaining a full time or long-term position with an employer.
Let’s go
The Grad USA process can be complex and can take up to 12 weeks in total. However, the payoff to spend a year growing your professional skills and having the time of your life in the States is worth it. We're pros at career coaching and form filling, so will guide you through it step-by-step.
1. Book your place
Check you’re eligible in the tab above, book your place, and wait for us to give you a call to check your suitability for the program. If the Grad USA program isn’t right for you, we can discuss other USIT USA programs that will work for you.
2. CV review
You can then set up a coaching call via your online account where we’ll go through your education history, CV and advise on internship options and companies you can reach out to when you land. Plus, you'll have all the resources on our Intern Hub.
3. Sponsorship paperwork
We’ll start working on your work papers (DS2019 and SEVIS receipt) with IENA – your US visa sponsor. They'll review your application and documents – which can take up to 10 business days to complete.
4. Pre-departure pack
Once your application is approved and you have paid the balance of your program, your work papers (DS2019) will be sent to you digitally. We'll then guide you through your visa application and how to book your US Embassy appointment.
5. US Embassy appointment
This is an in-person appointment at the US Embassy. And should provide them with all the information they need to issue a visa. Note that they will keep your passport for 5-7 days. Once your visa is approved, you can safely book your flights and accommodation.
6. Online orientation
A Department of State requirement, you must complete an online orientation with IENA before you go. This is to get you fully prepped for life living and working in the USA.
7. Land in the USA
From the date you land, you’ll have 90 days to find your first internship and have it approved by IENA. Your go-to people on the ground, the IENA team are there for advice and 24/7 emergency support throughout your stay in the US.
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