J-1 Visa Instructional Designer Jobs
Instructional designers qualify for J-1 visa sponsorship under the Trainee or Specialist program category, depending on experience level and project scope. A U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization issues your DS-2019 and oversees compliance while your host employer directs the day-to-day work.
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Embry-Riddle: Celebrating 100 Years of Leadership in Aviation and Aerospace
As Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University marks its Centennial, we proudly celebrate 100 years of advancing the future of flight and aerospace education. With vibrant residential campuses in Daytona Beach, FL, and Prescott, AZ — and a Worldwide network spanning nearly 120 global locations — Embry-Riddle stands as the world’s largest aviation and aerospace university.
For a century, we have led innovation in STEM education, serving more than 30,000 students around the globe. Our cutting-edge programs in Applied Science, Aviation, Business, Technology, Engineering, Safety, Security, and Space empower the next generation of leaders to shape the future of flight, exploration, and discovery.
As we launch our next century, we remain committed to excellence, innovation, and preparing graduates who will transform industries and redefine what is possible.
Opportunity:
As part of the IDD team, the intern will experience partnering with stakeholders to assess and design solutions aligned with learning outcomes and create instructional content that supports award-winning course design. This position will support and deliver on projects, playing a pivotal role in their success. The intern will work with a team of Instructional Designers, Digital Media Specialists, and Digital Media Producers to determine learning goals and design solutions. Additionally, the intern will experience hands-on what it is like to create, manage, and evaluate courses, curriculum, and deliverables within the scope of the role. A wide degree of creativity and self-motivation is expected.
Responsibilities:
- Work with members of the IDD team to design and develop engaging, innovative, and effective online course materials with clear strategies and tactics to achieve desired learning outcomes.
- Create new content and review and revise existing learning content in our Learning Management System.
- Collaborate with Media Producers and Digital Media Specialists to create interactive online course content.
- Create adult learning solutions through various instructional design methods.
- Leverage adult learning principles, considering the learner experience as well as accessibility, and adhering to ERAU standards of design.
Compensation:
Hourly rate: $15.00-$16.00. Compensation for this internship does not include any fringe benefits such as housing, meal plan, or health and wellness benefits.
Qualifications
Required qualifications:
- Applicants must be currently pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in Instructional Design, Adult Learning, Instructional Technology, Education, or other related field of study.
- Remote collaborative style; ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
- Understanding of adult learning theories and applications.
- Excellent communication and critical thinking skills.
- Project management skills.
- Willingness to learn.
Hours:
Workload will be 20-30 hours per week. All hours worked must be completed during normal business hours.
Application Process:
To apply to the IDD Internship Program, candidates should submit their resume, a cover letter describing their goals for the internship, one recommendation letter (preferably from one of the candidate’s professors) and a copy of their academic transcript through the online application portal. As part of your application, please also provide the name, title, and contact information of three professional references.
The following criteria will be used to assess all applications:
- Alignment between student goals and internship program goals
- Grades
- Recommendation letter
- Existing experience
Applications are currently being accepted for internship opportunities beginning August 10th. Candidates will be informed about the decision from the committee at least two weeks prior to internship start date.
Job Description
Embry-Riddle: Celebrating 100 Years of Leadership in Aviation and Aerospace
As Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University marks its Centennial, we proudly celebrate 100 years of advancing the future of flight and aerospace education. With vibrant residential campuses in Daytona Beach, FL, and Prescott, AZ — and a Worldwide network spanning nearly 120 global locations — Embry-Riddle stands as the world’s largest aviation and aerospace university.
For a century, we have led innovation in STEM education, serving more than 30,000 students around the globe. Our cutting-edge programs in Applied Science, Aviation, Business, Technology, Engineering, Safety, Security, and Space empower the next generation of leaders to shape the future of flight, exploration, and discovery.
As we launch our next century, we remain committed to excellence, innovation, and preparing graduates who will transform industries and redefine what is possible.
Opportunity:
As part of the IDD team, the intern will experience partnering with stakeholders to assess and design solutions aligned with learning outcomes and create instructional content that supports award-winning course design. This position will support and deliver on projects, playing a pivotal role in their success. The intern will work with a team of Instructional Designers, Digital Media Specialists, and Digital Media Producers to determine learning goals and design solutions. Additionally, the intern will experience hands-on what it is like to create, manage, and evaluate courses, curriculum, and deliverables within the scope of the role. A wide degree of creativity and self-motivation is expected.
Responsibilities:
- Work with members of the IDD team to design and develop engaging, innovative, and effective online course materials with clear strategies and tactics to achieve desired learning outcomes.
- Create new content and review and revise existing learning content in our Learning Management System.
- Collaborate with Media Producers and Digital Media Specialists to create interactive online course content.
- Create adult learning solutions through various instructional design methods.
- Leverage adult learning principles, considering the learner experience as well as accessibility, and adhering to ERAU standards of design.
Compensation:
Hourly rate: $15.00-$16.00. Compensation for this internship does not include any fringe benefits such as housing, meal plan, or health and wellness benefits.
Qualifications
Required qualifications:
- Applicants must be currently pursuing an undergraduate or graduate degree in Instructional Design, Adult Learning, Instructional Technology, Education, or other related field of study.
- Remote collaborative style; ability to work both independently and in a team environment.
- Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
- Understanding of adult learning theories and applications.
- Excellent communication and critical thinking skills.
- Project management skills.
- Willingness to learn.
Hours:
Workload will be 20-30 hours per week. All hours worked must be completed during normal business hours.
Application Process:
To apply to the IDD Internship Program, candidates should submit their resume, a cover letter describing their goals for the internship, one recommendation letter (preferably from one of the candidate’s professors) and a copy of their academic transcript through the online application portal. As part of your application, please also provide the name, title, and contact information of three professional references.
The following criteria will be used to assess all applications:
- Alignment between student goals and internship program goals
- Grades
- Recommendation letter
- Existing experience
Applications are currently being accepted for internship opportunities beginning August 10th. Candidates will be informed about the decision from the committee at least two weeks prior to internship start date.
See all 1,785+ J-1 Visa Instructional Designer Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new J-1 Visa Instructional Designer Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as an Instructional Designer
Align your portfolio to training objectives
The J-1 Trainee and Specialist programs require a structured training plan, not open-ended employment. Document your instructional design projects as measurable learning outcomes to demonstrate program-eligible skill development to your designated sponsor.
Target host employers with existing sponsor relationships
Some corporate learning and development teams and universities already work with a State Department-designated sponsor. Use Migrate Mate to find instructional designer roles at organizations with J-1 hosting experience, which shortens the sponsor coordination process significantly.
Verify your degree field before applying
Designated sponsors assess whether your academic background ties directly to instructional design, learning technology, or curriculum development. A degree in an unrelated field may require documented post-graduate work experience to satisfy the Trainee program's educational alignment requirement.
Confirm the 2-year home residency rule applies
If your J-1 funding source is a government or if your home country is on the Exchange Visitor Skills List, you may face a two-year home-country residency requirement before switching to H-1B visa or a green card. Clarify this with your designated sponsor before accepting an offer.
Request a DS-2019 timeline from your sponsor early
The designated sponsor, not your host employer, controls the DS-2019 issuance timeline. Ask for their processing window before your start date is set, since consular interview scheduling depends entirely on receiving this document.
Negotiate a training plan that satisfies both parties
Your host employer's project needs and your sponsor's required training objectives must align on the same document. Instructional designer roles often straddle consulting and production work, so ensure your training plan reflects discrete skill phases that the sponsor will approve.
Instructional Designer J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category applies to instructional designers?
Most instructional designers enter on either the Trainee or Specialist category. The Trainee category fits candidates within one year of completing a relevant degree or with up to five years of post-degree experience in instructional design, e-learning, or curriculum development. The Specialist category suits established professionals with recognized expertise in a narrow technical area of the field.
Who actually sponsors my J-1 visa, the employer or a separate organization?
A U.S. Department of State-designated sponsor organization issues your DS-2019 and holds legal responsibility for your program compliance. Organizations like Cultural Vistas or IIE serve this sponsor role. Your host employer, the company or university where you work, directs your actual job duties but is not your visa sponsor. The two relationships are separate and both must be confirmed before your program begins.
How do I find instructional designer roles where the host employer is open to J-1 exchange visitors?
Search on Migrate Mate, which surfaces U.S. employers and roles that align with J-1 sponsorship structures. Many corporate learning teams and higher education institutions have hosted J-1 exchange visitors before and understand the training plan requirement. Filtering for organizations with prior exchange visitor hosting experience saves significant outreach time.
What is the two-year home residency requirement and could it affect me?
If your J-1 program is financed by your home government or the U.S. government, or if your home country is on the Exchange Visitor Skills List, you may be required to return home for two years before applying for an H-1B, L-1 visa, or immigrant visa. Instructional design professionals from countries with a critical shortage of that skill set are most likely to be subject to this rule. Confirm your status with your designated sponsor before accepting an offer.
Can a recent graduate in education technology use the J-1 Intern category instead of Trainee?
The Intern category applies only to currently enrolled students or those who graduated within the past 12 months. If you graduated more than 12 months ago, even with a recent instructional design or education technology degree, the Trainee category applies instead. The designated sponsor will verify your graduation date against the DS-2019 application, so the timing matters for program eligibility.