Internship Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Illinois
Illinois is one of the Midwest's strongest markets for sponsored internships, with major employers in Chicago's tech corridor, financial services sector, and life sciences companies in the suburbs. Firms like Morningstar, Kraft Heinz, and Abbott regularly bring on international interns. Most roles concentrate in Chicago, with additional opportunities in Evanston and Naperville.
Find Internship JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 25+ Internship Jobs in Illinois with Visa Sponsorship
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all Internship Jobs in Illinois with Visa Sponsorship
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Internship Jobs in Illinois with Visa Sponsorship.
Get Access To All JobsBenefits:
- Bonus based on performance
- Company parties
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Opportunity for advancement
- Training & development
- Vision insurance
Financial Planning Internship Program
The Northwestern Mutual College Financial Planning internship offers hands-on experience in building a financial planning practice with the support of a Fortune 500 company. Interns gain guidance, connections, and tools to develop their skills while engaging with experts and learning how financial strategies and solutions are introduced to clients. Key benefits include:
- Flexible schedules to balance with classes.
- Real-world experience in prospecting, networking, and business strategy.
- Training in proprietary planning software and licensing (Life, Accident, Health insurance).
- Opportunities for certifications (Series 6 & 63, CFP®).
- Weekly coaching and professional development.
- Access to leadership programs and recognition events.
This program prepares interns for future opportunities, including a full-time Financial Representative or Advisor role upon graduation, while fostering personal and professional growth.
Follow this link to learn more about our internship: https://youtu.be/zYwzixA9SdM
At Northwestern Mutual – Central Illinois, we are guided by the core values of Courage, Passion, and Growth. These principles shape everything we do, from how we support our clients to how we build our team. Our culture strikes the balance between professionalism and approachability, creating a collaborative and supportive environment where new Financial Representatives are set up to succeed.
Our commitment to impact extends beyond financial services. We take pride in giving back to our community through support of local organizations such as HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital, Contact Ministries, the James Project, and Alex’s Lemonade Stand. If you're looking for a career where you can make a difference, both in your clients’ lives and in your community, while building a business with unlimited potential, we’d love to talk with you.
Meet Our Intern Alumni:
Eli Cook:
- Current role and time with NM: Growth & Development Director & Financial Advisor; 12 years
- University attended: University of Illinois Springfield
- Graduation year: December 2017
- Brief description of their college experience: Eli began his Northwestern Mutual journey as a college freshman, gaining hands-on experience, earning his securities licenses, and building a client base before graduating from UIS. Now a successful full-time advisor and Growth & Development Director, he leads the internship program and is passionate about helping students turn the internship into a long-term career.
Hunter Newbold:
- Current role and time with NM: College Unit Director & Financial Advisor; 2.5 years
- University attended: Illinois College
- Graduation year: December 2024
- Brief description of their college experience: Hunter studied Finance and Economics at Illinois College and held multiple leadership roles in the Investment Club before being recruited into the Northwestern Mutual internship. After earning his securities licenses and gaining experience while still in school, he transitioned into a full-time advisor role and now serves as College Unit Director, helping lead and support the internship program.
Gabby Njapa:
- Current role and time with NM: Internship Coordinator; 2.5 years
- University attended: Illinois State University
- Graduation year: December 2023
- Brief description of their college experience: Gabby began her Northwestern Mutual internship in the summer of 2023 and continued through her final semester, graduating with a degree in Business Administration. While she ultimately chose a different career path than advising, she loved her experience and now serves as Internship Coordinator, working alongside Eli and Hunter to support and run the internship program.
Are you a fit for this internship?
- Full-time students (juniors and seniors preferred)
- Ambitious, with a curiosity for business development
- Highly involved on campus (leader, athlete, campus orgs, student government, etc.)
- Excellent time-management skills
- Business savvy and desire to increase critical thinking abilities
- Professional: Coachable, responds well to accountability, strong communication skills, articulate
- Financial service interest: Financially motivated, capacity for hard work, interest in making an impact with others
- Key characteristics: Motivated, competitive, willingness to overcome obstacles/deal with adversity
Compensation & Benefits
- Strong Earnings Potential
- Learning and Development Financial Incentives
- Productivity Bonuses
- Exposure to the financial services industry, including optional licensing education for students who qualify and are interested. Licensing is not required to begin the internship.
Launch your internship with hands-on experience, impactful training, and the opportunity to build a foundation for your future in business!
Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM) and its subsidiaries in Milwaukee, WI. Patrick Scheina is a General Agent of NM and not in legal partnership with NM, or its subsidiaries.
Benefits:
- Bonus based on performance
- Company parties
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Opportunity for advancement
- Training & development
- Vision insurance
Financial Planning Internship Program
The Northwestern Mutual College Financial Planning internship offers hands-on experience in building a financial planning practice with the support of a Fortune 500 company. Interns gain guidance, connections, and tools to develop their skills while engaging with experts and learning how financial strategies and solutions are introduced to clients. Key benefits include:
- Flexible schedules to balance with classes.
- Real-world experience in prospecting, networking, and business strategy.
- Training in proprietary planning software and licensing (Life, Accident, Health insurance).
- Opportunities for certifications (Series 6 & 63, CFP®).
- Weekly coaching and professional development.
- Access to leadership programs and recognition events.
This program prepares interns for future opportunities, including a full-time Financial Representative or Advisor role upon graduation, while fostering personal and professional growth.
Follow this link to learn more about our internship: https://youtu.be/zYwzixA9SdM
At Northwestern Mutual – Central Illinois, we are guided by the core values of Courage, Passion, and Growth. These principles shape everything we do, from how we support our clients to how we build our team. Our culture strikes the balance between professionalism and approachability, creating a collaborative and supportive environment where new Financial Representatives are set up to succeed.
Our commitment to impact extends beyond financial services. We take pride in giving back to our community through support of local organizations such as HSHS St. John’s Children’s Hospital, Contact Ministries, the James Project, and Alex’s Lemonade Stand. If you're looking for a career where you can make a difference, both in your clients’ lives and in your community, while building a business with unlimited potential, we’d love to talk with you.
Meet Our Intern Alumni:
Eli Cook:
- Current role and time with NM: Growth & Development Director & Financial Advisor; 12 years
- University attended: University of Illinois Springfield
- Graduation year: December 2017
- Brief description of their college experience: Eli began his Northwestern Mutual journey as a college freshman, gaining hands-on experience, earning his securities licenses, and building a client base before graduating from UIS. Now a successful full-time advisor and Growth & Development Director, he leads the internship program and is passionate about helping students turn the internship into a long-term career.
Hunter Newbold:
- Current role and time with NM: College Unit Director & Financial Advisor; 2.5 years
- University attended: Illinois College
- Graduation year: December 2024
- Brief description of their college experience: Hunter studied Finance and Economics at Illinois College and held multiple leadership roles in the Investment Club before being recruited into the Northwestern Mutual internship. After earning his securities licenses and gaining experience while still in school, he transitioned into a full-time advisor role and now serves as College Unit Director, helping lead and support the internship program.
Gabby Njapa:
- Current role and time with NM: Internship Coordinator; 2.5 years
- University attended: Illinois State University
- Graduation year: December 2023
- Brief description of their college experience: Gabby began her Northwestern Mutual internship in the summer of 2023 and continued through her final semester, graduating with a degree in Business Administration. While she ultimately chose a different career path than advising, she loved her experience and now serves as Internship Coordinator, working alongside Eli and Hunter to support and run the internship program.
Are you a fit for this internship?
- Full-time students (juniors and seniors preferred)
- Ambitious, with a curiosity for business development
- Highly involved on campus (leader, athlete, campus orgs, student government, etc.)
- Excellent time-management skills
- Business savvy and desire to increase critical thinking abilities
- Professional: Coachable, responds well to accountability, strong communication skills, articulate
- Financial service interest: Financially motivated, capacity for hard work, interest in making an impact with others
- Key characteristics: Motivated, competitive, willingness to overcome obstacles/deal with adversity
Compensation & Benefits
- Strong Earnings Potential
- Learning and Development Financial Incentives
- Productivity Bonuses
- Exposure to the financial services industry, including optional licensing education for students who qualify and are interested. Licensing is not required to begin the internship.
Launch your internship with hands-on experience, impactful training, and the opportunity to build a foundation for your future in business!
Northwestern Mutual is the marketing name for The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company (NM) and its subsidiaries in Milwaukee, WI. Patrick Scheina is a General Agent of NM and not in legal partnership with NM, or its subsidiaries.
Internship Job Roles in Illinois
See all Internship Jobs in Illinois
Sign up for free to filter by visa type, set job alerts, and find employers with verified sponsorship history.
Search Internship Jobs in IllinoisInternship Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for internships in Illinois?
Large multinationals with established Illinois operations are the most consistent sponsors for international interns. Companies like Morningstar, Hyatt, Baxter International, and Abbott have sponsored intern-level positions in past years. Technology firms in Chicago's River North and Fulton Market neighborhoods also hire international interns, as do financial services companies concentrated in the Loop. Smaller startups rarely have the legal infrastructure to sponsor internship-level roles.
Which visa types are most common for internship roles in Illinois?
Most international interns in Illinois work under F-1 OPT or CPT authorization, which allows students enrolled at U.S. universities to work without employer-sponsored petitions. J-1 visa intern and trainee visas are the other common pathway, typically arranged through a designated sponsoring organization rather than the employer directly. H-1B visa sponsorship for internships is rare because the visa requires a full-time specialty occupation role and is subject to annual cap limits.
Which cities in Illinois have the most internship sponsorship jobs?
Chicago accounts for the overwhelming majority of sponsored internship opportunities in Illinois, particularly in the Loop, River North, and Fulton Market neighborhoods where tech, finance, and consulting firms are concentrated. Evanston hosts internship roles tied to Northwestern University's research and corporate partnerships. Naperville and Deerfield attract life sciences and pharmaceutical interns through companies like Ulta Beauty and Baxter that maintain significant suburban campuses.
How to find internship visa sponsorship jobs in Illinois?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically by visa sponsorship availability, which saves significant time compared to sifting through postings that don't clarify sponsorship. For internship roles in Illinois, you can narrow results by state and role type to surface positions at employers who have a documented history of supporting international candidates. Checking listings regularly matters because sponsored internship postings in Chicago fill quickly, particularly in finance and technology.
Are there state-specific considerations for international interns pursuing sponsorship in Illinois?
Illinois has a strong university pipeline through institutions like the University of Chicago, Northwestern, and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, which means employers in the state are generally familiar with F-1 OPT and CPT processes. Illinois has no state-level visa sponsorship program, so authorization depends entirely on federal categories. International interns should confirm whether a role is paid, as unpaid internships create separate compliance considerations under both labor law and visa regulations.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored internship jobs in Illinois?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.