You need a J-1 visa. If you plan to travel to the United States for an internship or a training program, you qualify as an exchange visitor. J-1 internship visas require the applicant to be enrolled in a foreign academic institution of higher education or have graduated in the last 12 months or less. J-1 trainee visas are for young professionals with at least one year of full-time work experience and a maximum of five years experience.
Interns and trainees can not work in unskilled or casual labor environments. The visa will be valid for up to 12 months for interns and 18 months for trainees. To apply for a J-1 internship or J-1 trainee visa, you need an employer to act as your host and a program sponsor. Click here for more information about this visa. Click here for a complete list of program sponsors.