J-1 Packing List: What to Bring for Your Internship in the USA
Packing for a year abroad is very different from packing for a holiday. You need the right documents for immigration, clothes for work and different seasons, and a few items that are hard or expensive to replace in the US, all within the airline’s luggage limits. This J-1 packing list helps you prepare step by step so that you arrive ready for your first shift.
The list is organised by category: documents, money, work clothes and tools, everyday clothing, electronics, health items and things you should leave at home. Adapt it to your department, your destination’s climate and the length of your program.
1. Travel Documents (Carry-On Only)
The most important part of any J-1 packing list is the folder you keep with you on the plane. Never put these items in checked luggage:
- Passport, valid for at least six months beyond your stay unless your country is exempt
- J-1 visa in your passport
- Form DS-2019, signed
- Form DS-7002 training or internship placement plan
- SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt
- Offer letter or host company contact details
- Sponsor contact details and emergency number
- Proof of health insurance
- Address of your first night’s accommodation
- Copies of your diploma or student certificate
Keep digital copies of everything in secure cloud storage as well. Immigration officers may ask about your program at the airport, so the answers you prepared for your J-1 visa interview are useful here too.
2. Money and Cards
- A debit or credit card that works abroad, and a backup card
- Some US dollars in cash for the first days (transport, food, tips)
- Enough funds to cover your first two to four weeks until your first paycheck
If you carry more than $10,000 in cash or monetary instruments when entering the US, you must declare it. US Customs and Border Protection explains the rules for travelling with money.
3. Work Clothes and Tools
Your host company will tell you what is provided. Uniforms are often supplied, but some items are usually your responsibility:
| Department | Usually bring | Ask your host company about |
|---|---|---|
| Front office | Formal shoes, dark trousers or skirt, plain shirts | Uniform jacket, name badge |
| Food and beverage | Black non-slip shoes, black trousers, white or black shirts | Aprons, waistcoats, ties |
| Kitchen | Non-slip kitchen shoes, knife set with a protective case, thermometer, notebook | Chef jackets, trousers, hats |
| Housekeeping | Comfortable non-slip shoes | Uniform and equipment |
| Events and banquets | Black formal shoes, black trousers | Uniform shirts and jackets |
Important for culinary interns: knives are not allowed in carry-on bags on US flights. Pack your knife roll securely in checked luggage, with blades covered. The Transportation Security Administration lists the rules for knives.
4. Everyday Clothing
- Clothes for at least one week, so you are not doing laundry every two days
- Layers for air-conditioned buildings, which can be cold even in hot climates
- A warm jacket if your program includes winter in a cold region, or plan to buy one locally
- Comfortable walking shoes and sports clothes
- Swimwear for beach destinations or hotel pools
- One smart outfit for events or going out
Check the climate of your destination for every season of your program. Our guide to the best states for hospitality internships describes the main destinations.
5. Electronics
- Smartphone, unlocked if you want to use a US SIM card or eSIM
- Laptop or tablet for online forms, banking and staying in touch
- Chargers and a power bank
- US plug adapters (type A/B); the US uses 120 volts, so check that your devices support it
- Headphones for the flight and commuting
6. Health and Personal Items
- Prescription medication for the first months, in original packaging, with a copy of your prescription in English
- Glasses or contact lenses and a copy of your prescription
- A small first-aid kit
- Toiletries for the first days; full-size items are easy to buy in the US
Liquids in carry-on bags must follow the TSA liquids rule, so pack larger bottles in checked luggage.
7. Things That Make You Feel at Home
- A few photos or small items from home
- Small gifts or snacks from your country to share with colleagues and roommates
- A favourite spice or tea, if allowed by customs
Sharing something from your culture is a great way to start conversations in a new team.
Adapting Your J-1 Packing List to Your Destination
The same J-1 packing list looks different in Miami, Las Vegas and a Colorado ski town. Adjust it to where you will live:
- Hot, humid destinations (Florida, Texas, Hawaii): light, breathable clothes, sun protection and an umbrella for sudden storms. Still bring a light layer for air-conditioned workplaces.
- Desert climates (Nevada, Arizona): very hot days and cooler nights; bring sunglasses, a refillable water bottle and lip balm.
- Big cities (New York, Chicago, Boston): comfortable shoes for walking and public transport, and real winter clothing if your program includes December to March.
- Mountain and ski resorts (Colorado, Utah): thermal layers, waterproof boots and a warm coat; consider buying specialist gear locally.
- Coastal California: layers, because mornings and evenings can be cool even in summer.
Packing Timeline: Four Weeks Before Departure
- Four weeks before: confirm your baggage allowance, ask your host company what uniforms and tools are provided and refill prescriptions.
- Three weeks before: buy work shoes and any missing clothing, and unlock your phone.
- Two weeks before: prepare your document folder and digital copies, order some US dollars and inform your bank that you will travel.
- One week before: pack checked luggage, weigh it and set aside your carry-on items.
- Day before: check your J-1 packing list one final time, especially documents, medication and chargers.
Spreading the work over several weeks avoids last-minute stress and forgotten items.
What Not to Pack
- Bedding and towels: bulky and inexpensive in the US; check what your housing provides first. Our guide to J-1 intern housing explains what to ask.
- Fresh food, meat and plants: many agricultural products are restricted at US entry; declare any food you carry.
- Too many clothes: you will buy things during your stay and need space when you return.
- Valuables you do not need: leave expensive jewellery at home.
- Large kitchen equipment: host kitchens provide most tools beyond your personal knife set.
What to Buy After Arrival
Some items are easier or cheaper to buy once you are in the US, so leave space for them rather than adding them to your J-1 packing list:
- Full-size toiletries and cleaning products
- Bedding, towels and kitchen basics, if your housing does not provide them
- Seasonal clothing for a cold winter, if you prefer to choose it locally
- A local SIM card or prepaid plan
Ask colleagues and roommates where they shop; they often know the best value options nearby.
Luggage Tips
- Check your airline’s baggage allowance for checked and carry-on bags, including weight limits.
- Pack documents, medication, one change of clothes and electronics in your carry-on, in case checked bags are delayed.
- Label your bags with your name and US address.
- Weigh your bags at home to avoid excess baggage fees at the airport.
Planning Ahead for the Return Trip
A good J-1 packing list also thinks about the end of the program. Over a year you will collect clothes, gifts, uniforms and souvenirs, and your return flight has the same baggage limits as your outbound one. A few habits help:
- Pack light on the way out so you have space to bring things home.
- Keep receipts for expensive items you buy in the US, in case customs at home asks about them.
- Plan to sell, donate or pass on bulky items such as bedding or winter gear to the next interns before you leave.
- Keep your DS-2019, training plan, evaluations and reference letter together in your carry-on on the way home; they are useful for your career and future visa applications.
Thinking about the return early also helps you manage the final weeks, including the 30-day J-1 grace period after your program, when many interns travel within the US before flying home with everything they packed and collected.
Printable J-1 Packing List
| Category | Must-have items |
|---|---|
| Documents | Passport with J-1 visa, DS-2019, DS-7002, SEVIS receipt, insurance proof, offer letter |
| Money | Two cards, some US dollars, funds for the first weeks |
| Work | Work shoes, department clothing, knife set in checked luggage (culinary) |
| Clothing | One week of clothes, layers, seasonal jacket, smart outfit |
| Electronics | Unlocked phone, laptop, chargers, US adapters |
| Health | Prescription medication, prescription copies, small first-aid kit |
Frequently Asked Questions
Your passport with J-1 visa, signed DS-2019, DS-7002 training plan, SEVIS fee receipt, proof of insurance and host company and sponsor contact details, all in your carry-on.
Not in your carry-on. Knives must be packed securely in checked luggage with the blades covered, according to TSA rules.
Usually not. They are bulky and easy to buy in the US. Check first whether your housing provides them.
Bring enough for your first days, such as transport and food, and make sure you can access funds to cover two to four weeks until your first paycheck. Amounts over $10,000 must be declared.
Yes, if your devices use a different plug type. The US uses type A and B plugs and 120 volts, so check that your chargers support it.
Get Ready for Your Internship in the USA
Packing is one of the last steps before your adventure begins. Cardelest supports hospitality, tourism and culinary candidates through the entire J-1 process, from finding a placement to preparing for arrival. Learn more about our USA Internship & Trainee Program, read about your first week in the USA or contact us for a free pre-assessment.
