U.S. Embassy Paid Internships 2026–27

Overview

The U.S. Department of State runs a paid Student Internship Program (SIP) that places eligible students at U.S. embassies and consulates overseas and at Department of State offices in the United States. Interns gain practical experience in diplomacy, international affairs, communications and public policy. Depending on the assignment, they may take part in meetings with government officials, contribute to reports and communications, support international events or help explain U.S. foreign-policy priorities to American and foreign audiences.

Overseas placements vary, and not every embassy will have an internship available in every cycle.

Who can apply

Applicants must be U.S. citizens. Current requirements include being an undergraduate or graduate student with at least 60 credit hours and a minimum 3.2 GPA, being able to obtain the required security clearance, and keeping student status and returning to school after the internship. Non-citizens are generally not eligible for this programme, though individual embassies may advertise locally recruited positions with separate rules.

What you get

Interns are paid at the GS-04/Step 1 base-pay level and become temporary employees of the Department of State. The programme also covers reasonable travel expenses to and from the internship and offers help with housing.

A related option is the U.S. Foreign Service Internship Program, a merit- and needs-based programme for eligible undergraduates. Participants complete two consecutive summers, the first with training and work in Washington, D.C., and the second at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad. Pay is at a GS-4 equivalent rate, with travel reimbursement and housing for both summers. Applicants must be U.S. citizens able to obtain and maintain a Secret security clearance.

How to apply

The application opens when a cycle is active and can also be found through USAJOBS, the federal government employment platform. Applicants create a USAJOBS account and build a resume with its Resume Builder. Embassy-specific opportunities are announced on individual embassy websites, so each vacancy should be read carefully for its own eligibility rules and deadline.