Accepted candidates will have to process their visas through the American embassy or consulate in the country of their citizenship.  Thus if you are, say, a South African studying in London, and you interview at Mountbatten in London, upon being placed on the Programme you would then have to return to South Africa to process your visa.  This requirement is sometimes waived if the applicant can demonstrate strong residential claims - such as family, assets, etc - in the country of interview.  The US immigration criterion is whether you have clear reason or incentive to return to the country that will be issuing your visa.

Mountbatten New York is a dedicated J1 visa programme - 100% of our interns are on J1 visas.  The Programme only assists foreign nationals who would not otherwise be able to receive practical training in the USA.  So if you already have the right to work or train in the USA we cannot accept you.  Thus, you will not be eligible to participate in the Programme:

1. If you are a US citizen or you possess a Green Card.
2. If you have US citizenship through dual nationality, even though you may never have lived in the USA.
3. If you are a citizen of other NAFTA countries, i.e. Canada and Mexico.

Our Programme is approved by the United States Government as a J-1 Exchange Visitor (Trainee) Programme, and interns receive 12 month J1 visas for the duration of their internship.  At the end of each internship, interns are permitted a one-month visa extension to encourage them to travel around the USA.  Interns are not permitted to work or earn money in the USA during this 13th "travel" month.

Please note, the US Government imposes severe penalties on anyone who breaks the country's immigration laws.