J-1 Visa Security Manager Jobs
Security Manager roles in the United States are accessible to international professionals through the J-1 visa Trainee or Specialist program category, with sponsorship issued by a State Department-designated organization. Host employers in corporate security, critical infrastructure, and government contracting regularly work with exchange visitors in this field.
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Get Access To All JobsISW Internship Program Overview
ISW is offering in-person, remote, and hybrid internships for Fall 2026. Instructions to apply for the scholarship are below.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) is committed to training the next generation of national security leaders through its innovative educational programs. ISW seeks motivated and experienced college students or recent graduates to join our intern team. ISW offers internships across diverse research portfolios and departments, including Russia, China, and Iran's proxy networks. ISW also offers internships in National Security & Intelligence Analysis, our Cognitive Warfare Task Force, and in Communications.
Why Work for ISW?
ISW believes that ground realities must drive the formulation of strategy and policy. In pursuit of this principle, ISW conducts detailed open-source intelligence analysis to provide timely and accurate information on current conflicts and security threats directly to policy-makers and warfighters.
Interns at ISW have an unparalleled opportunity to analyze conflicts in ways that directly inform policymakers on some of the most pressing issues facing American national security. Our interns work directly with analysts. They receive classroom education, regular leadership engagement, and a chance to work with cutting-edge technologies employed in business and the intelligence community. Interns have the opportunity to stand at the front lines of military research and policy development, tackling the latest crises in the headlines.
The ISW Internship Program is one of three core education programs housed within The General David H. Petraeus Center for Emerging Leaders, launched to identify, educate, and develop the future cadre of leaders committed to America’s national security. ISW views interns as an integral component of its team. ISW has worked with interns to draft, edit, and publish their own research under the mentorship of senior analysts. It has also hired many interns onto its staff.
Geospatial Intelligence and National Security Technologies Internship: ISW uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing technologies to improve research collection, intelligence analysis, and visualizations. Interns will use Geographic Information Systems (GIS), satellite remote sensing, and data visualization to help refine how ISW’s analysts implement these cutting-edge tools. This internship provides practical hands-on experience using GIS in national security and intelligence applications. Interns will support data collection, analysis, and visualizations that support ISW’s world-renowned maps. Interns may also have valuable interactions with software partners who are transforming the national security space. Interns will receive further training on some of these platforms. ISW’s roster of technology partners includes Neo4J, Babel Street, Ntrepid, and Planet Labs, among many others. This is a full-time internship (five days per week), but part-time work will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Qualifications
- Candidates must be motivated and organized college students or recent graduates with demonstrated expertise in a related field.
- Candidates must possess excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills.
- Candidates must possess strong capabilities in GIS software such as Esri's ArcGIS Pro, ArcMap, or ArcGIS Online. Experience with SQL or ArcGIS Python (Arcpy) is a plus.
- Candidates must display the ability to conduct complex tasks in a timely and efficient manner.
- Candidates should be self-motivated, independent, creative, and capable of working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
- Candidates will preferably have a demonstrated interest or expertise in national security issues, particularly Russia, Ukraine, China, or issues in the Middle East.
- Candidates must show commitment to—and interest in—the core mission and values of ISW.
Fall 2026 Internship Program Dates: ISW internships start September 8, 2026. The program will run until December 11. Interns must both be authorized to work in the United States and be physically present in the United States during their internship tenure. Working remotely outside of the United States is not authorized. If you attend a US university on a student visa, you must be eligible for and obtain a CPT authorization before beginning at ISW. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until July 24, 2026.
Instructions: Please upload your resume, cover letter, and writing sample. Your cover letter and writing sample should be no longer than five pages combined; the writing sample can be excerpted from a longer paper.
ISW will work with students to gain academic credit for internships where applicable.
ISW Scholarship Application
The Institute for the Study of War will offer intern candidates up to a $1,000 monthly living stipend as part of a scholarship program. To be considered for the scholarship, candidates must upload a scholarship application as part of their internship application. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until July 24, 2026.*
Candidates will be assessed based on the following criteria:
- Ability to contribute as a member of one of ISW’s research, operations, business development, or external relations teams; and
- Financial need, such that an unpaid internship would not be possible without assistance.
To be considered for the scholarship, candidates must upload a scholarship application as part of their internship application.
Within the scholarship application, candidates should upload a 2- to 3-page cover letter which answers each of the following questions. (This should be a different cover letter than the one used for the internship application itself.)
- Which ISW internship is your top choice? Why do you believe you are qualified?
- What do you believe to be the most pressing national security problem the US faces today? What solution(s) would you propose?
- Where do you see yourself in your future career? How will an ISW internship help you get there?
- Why have you chosen to apply for this supplemental scholarship?
- Are you currently receiving federal financial aid and/or need-based aid from your university? Feel free to describe using as much detail as you are comfortable.
*Please note that the up to $1,000 monthly scholarship is classified as taxable income.
Questions? Email internships@understandingwar.org for more information.
ISW Internship Program Overview
ISW is offering in-person, remote, and hybrid internships for Fall 2026. Instructions to apply for the scholarship are below.
The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) is committed to training the next generation of national security leaders through its innovative educational programs. ISW seeks motivated and experienced college students or recent graduates to join our intern team. ISW offers internships across diverse research portfolios and departments, including Russia, China, and Iran's proxy networks. ISW also offers internships in National Security & Intelligence Analysis, our Cognitive Warfare Task Force, and in Communications.
Why Work for ISW?
ISW believes that ground realities must drive the formulation of strategy and policy. In pursuit of this principle, ISW conducts detailed open-source intelligence analysis to provide timely and accurate information on current conflicts and security threats directly to policy-makers and warfighters.
Interns at ISW have an unparalleled opportunity to analyze conflicts in ways that directly inform policymakers on some of the most pressing issues facing American national security. Our interns work directly with analysts. They receive classroom education, regular leadership engagement, and a chance to work with cutting-edge technologies employed in business and the intelligence community. Interns have the opportunity to stand at the front lines of military research and policy development, tackling the latest crises in the headlines.
The ISW Internship Program is one of three core education programs housed within The General David H. Petraeus Center for Emerging Leaders, launched to identify, educate, and develop the future cadre of leaders committed to America’s national security. ISW views interns as an integral component of its team. ISW has worked with interns to draft, edit, and publish their own research under the mentorship of senior analysts. It has also hired many interns onto its staff.
Geospatial Intelligence and National Security Technologies Internship: ISW uses Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and remote sensing technologies to improve research collection, intelligence analysis, and visualizations. Interns will use Geographic Information Systems (GIS), satellite remote sensing, and data visualization to help refine how ISW’s analysts implement these cutting-edge tools. This internship provides practical hands-on experience using GIS in national security and intelligence applications. Interns will support data collection, analysis, and visualizations that support ISW’s world-renowned maps. Interns may also have valuable interactions with software partners who are transforming the national security space. Interns will receive further training on some of these platforms. ISW’s roster of technology partners includes Neo4J, Babel Street, Ntrepid, and Planet Labs, among many others. This is a full-time internship (five days per week), but part-time work will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Qualifications
- Candidates must be motivated and organized college students or recent graduates with demonstrated expertise in a related field.
- Candidates must possess excellent writing, editing, and oral communication skills.
- Candidates must possess strong capabilities in GIS software such as Esri's ArcGIS Pro, ArcMap, or ArcGIS Online. Experience with SQL or ArcGIS Python (Arcpy) is a plus.
- Candidates must display the ability to conduct complex tasks in a timely and efficient manner.
- Candidates should be self-motivated, independent, creative, and capable of working in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.
- Candidates will preferably have a demonstrated interest or expertise in national security issues, particularly Russia, Ukraine, China, or issues in the Middle East.
- Candidates must show commitment to—and interest in—the core mission and values of ISW.
Fall 2026 Internship Program Dates: ISW internships start September 8, 2026. The program will run until December 11. Interns must both be authorized to work in the United States and be physically present in the United States during their internship tenure. Working remotely outside of the United States is not authorized. If you attend a US university on a student visa, you must be eligible for and obtain a CPT authorization before beginning at ISW. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until July 24, 2026.
Instructions: Please upload your resume, cover letter, and writing sample. Your cover letter and writing sample should be no longer than five pages combined; the writing sample can be excerpted from a longer paper.
ISW will work with students to gain academic credit for internships where applicable.
ISW Scholarship Application
The Institute for the Study of War will offer intern candidates up to a $1,000 monthly living stipend as part of a scholarship program. To be considered for the scholarship, candidates must upload a scholarship application as part of their internship application. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until July 24, 2026.*
Candidates will be assessed based on the following criteria:
- Ability to contribute as a member of one of ISW’s research, operations, business development, or external relations teams; and
- Financial need, such that an unpaid internship would not be possible without assistance.
To be considered for the scholarship, candidates must upload a scholarship application as part of their internship application.
Within the scholarship application, candidates should upload a 2- to 3-page cover letter which answers each of the following questions. (This should be a different cover letter than the one used for the internship application itself.)
- Which ISW internship is your top choice? Why do you believe you are qualified?
- What do you believe to be the most pressing national security problem the US faces today? What solution(s) would you propose?
- Where do you see yourself in your future career? How will an ISW internship help you get there?
- Why have you chosen to apply for this supplemental scholarship?
- Are you currently receiving federal financial aid and/or need-based aid from your university? Feel free to describe using as much detail as you are comfortable.
*Please note that the up to $1,000 monthly scholarship is classified as taxable income.
Questions? Email internships@understandingwar.org for more information.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding J-1 Visa Sponsorship as a Security Manager
Document your security credentials before applying
Gather certifications like CPP, PSP, or CISSP alongside transcripts and employment records proving security management experience. J-1 Trainee and Specialist programs require verifiable professional background, and gaps in documentation delay DS-2019 issuance.
Target host employers in regulated industries
Corporate security departments at financial institutions, defense contractors, and critical infrastructure operators are most accustomed to hosting J-1 exchange visitors. These organizations already maintain compliance frameworks that align with the structured training plans J-1 programs require.
Search Migrate Mate for J-1-compatible Security Manager roles
Use Migrate Mate to filter for Security Manager positions at U.S. employers open to exchange visitor arrangements. It surfaces roles by employer type and sponsorship history, saving you from applying to hosts unfamiliar with the J-1 process.
Clarify whether the 2-year home residency requirement applies
If your J-1 program is government-funded or your home country lists your occupation as in shortage, you may be subject to the two-year home country physical presence requirement. Confirm your status with the designated sponsor before accepting a host offer.
Ask the host employer to confirm its training plan capacity
The J-1 Trainee and Specialist programs require a detailed training plan signed by both you and the host supervisor. Security Manager roles must map learning objectives to specific competencies, so confirm the host can articulate this structure before the designated sponsor reviews your application.
Verify the designated sponsor's category eligibility
Not every State Department-designated sponsor administers the Specialist or Trainee category for security-related fields. Contact your shortlisted sponsor directly to confirm it accepts security management placements before submitting any program application materials.
Security Manager J-1 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Which J-1 program category fits a Security Manager role?
Most Security Manager positions fall under the J-1 Trainee or Specialist category. Trainee applies if you have a relevant degree and less than one year of post-degree work experience, or if you lack a degree but have at least five years of security management experience. Specialist applies to established professionals with recognized expertise who are coming to the U.S. for a focused skills exchange rather than structured training.
Who actually sponsors the J-1 visa for a Security Manager position?
The J-1 visa sponsor is a U.S. Department of State-designated organization, not the hiring employer. Organizations like Cultural Vistas or CIEE issue the DS-2019 form, monitor your program compliance, and serve as the legal sponsor on record. The company where you work is the host organization. Conflating the two can lead to confusion during the offer process, so clarify the sponsor's role with any employer who describes themselves as your visa sponsor.
How do I find U.S. employers open to hosting a J-1 Security Manager?
Migrate Mate lets you search for Security Manager roles at employers with documented exchange visitor history. This filters out organizations unfamiliar with the J-1 host process, which is a common source of wasted applications. Security-sector employers in financial services, government contracting, and corporate risk management tend to have the internal compliance infrastructure that makes J-1 hosting straightforward.
Does the 2-year home residency requirement affect Security Manager exchange visitors?
It can. The two-year home country physical presence requirement applies if your J-1 program is funded by the U.S. or your home government, or if your home country has designated your occupation as in shortage of professionals. Security management appears on some countries' skills shortage lists. Your designated sponsor reviews your DS-2019 application and will flag whether the requirement applies before your program begins.
What does the training plan requirement mean for a Security Manager role?
J-1 Trainee and Specialist programs require a formal training plan that maps each phase of your U.S. placement to specific learning objectives. For Security Manager roles, this typically means documenting rotations through risk assessment, incident response coordination, and team oversight functions. The host supervisor signs the plan, and the designated sponsor reviews it for compliance before issuing your DS-2019. Vague or job-description-only plans are routinely rejected.