Work and Travel USA

“Work and Travel USA” program is the most popular summer work exchange program for university and college students. Participants work for up to 4 months (during their university / college vacation) for the US host companies / employers (pre-approved by the program sponsor). Participants can also take an extra / second job, on the condition that the work schedules / shifts do not conflict with primary employment.

The USA Summer Work Travel J-1 visa allows students to be employed legally in the USA for up to 4 months during summer vacation season. It is the largest and most popular work abroad program we can offer for students.

This program is indeed exciting and worth to participate. Students on WT program not only improve their English, but learn about American culture, work ethics, traditions, open society principles, see America “from inside” for a few months. Legal employment salary (not less than the minimal American salary, often – higher than the minimum) allows students not only to compensate their program-related expenses, but also to earn some extra money (many students earn good extra money).

The USA Summer Work Travel J-1 visa program is one of the major Exchange Visitor Programs carried out pursuant to the U.S. Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961. Its purpose is to enhance understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries through educational and cultural exchanges. WT (as other J-1 visa programs) are regulated by the U.S. Department of State. WT programs are being carried out by US non-profit non-governmental organizations, so called program sponsors. We are proud that our Center cooperates with the largest and most experienced WT program sponsor Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE - www.ciee.org) and with other experienced WT program sponsors INTRAX (www.experienceintrax.com/participants), etc.

WT eligibility criteria (as to apply for a WT J-1 visa to US Embassy):

1) full-time students, speaking English, 18 – 26 years old:
- a full-time NOT-graduating year bachelor level student at university;
- a full-time master level NOT-graduating year (i.e., the first Master year) student;
- a full-time NOT-first, NOT-graduating year bachelor level student at a college;
- the university / college must be on the US Embassy approved list;
- year of birth must be not earlier than 1983 (Medical / Master students - not earlier than 1982).
Remark: US Embassies in another countries may accept WT eligibility age up to 28 – 30 years old.
2) students should be in a good academic standing (not causing risks to loose student status before WT).
3) full-time student status for the entire 2008/2009 academic year, at least – for the SPRING-2009 semester (on the condition that the SPRING-2009 semester is not the very first semester - first year of studies).
4) applicant must inform Center if s/he had a US visa before or was refused US visa before.
5) it is recommended that student’s immediate family member/s (Mother, Father) should not live/reside in USA currently and/or should not have spent in USA prolonged period/s (a few months) on tourist visa (except of a reasonable business trip / studies period).