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Work and Travel USA

We welcome your interest in the Work & Travel Program!

USA Work & Travel Program is an exchange visitor program that enables foreign university students to gain a greater understanding of the United States by providing them an opportunity to work and travel in the United States. You have a unique chance to experience life and culture in the U.S. as more than just tourists and to share your own traditions and culture with people from the U.S., as well as other international students. This program is designed to achieve the educational objectives of international exchange by directly involving students, during their summer vacations, in the daily life of the country. You can spend your summer living and working in the United States with the purpose of being introduced to the United States culture by living in select communities in the United States, while learning through cultural, social, and work activities in metropolitan communities and resort destinations. Positions are available in the hospitality industry, theme parks and in similar types of organizations. You receive hourly wages paid directly by the host site.

In carrying out the responsibilities of the Exchange Visitor Program, the US Department of State designates public and private entities to act as exchange sponsors. Designated sponsoring organizations facilitate your entry into the United States as exchange visitors to complete the objectives of one of the exchange visitor program categories, such as Work & Travel Program.

PROGRAM SPONSOR provides the following services:
• The DS-2019 form which allows you to apply for the J-1 visa. (Note: issuance of a DS-2019 form does not guarantee that a US Embassy or Consulate will approve the visa application).
• Medical and related insurance coverage as required by the US government.
• Full support and guidance through our offices throughout the program.
• Periodic site visits to primary work & travel sites.
• 24-hour emergency assistance from Program Sponsor staff.

US Federal Regulations Summer Work Travel

This program is sponsored by the Foundation for Worldwide International Student Exchange or "WISE".  
WISE specializes in academic programs and homestays for Asian, European, and South American student travelers. A Washington state based organization; WISE is staffed by dedicated and enthusiastic professionals with many years of experience in the academic and homestay field. We support participants in all phases of the experience to ensure an "international adventure that will be remembered for years to come". Our team is headed by professionals in the fields of education, business and sports. As former participants, we bring firsthand experience in the homestay field and provide a realistic experience for young people from around the world.
The goal of WISE is to promote world peace and understanding through cultural exchanges and by establishing global friendships.
WISE is a rapidly growing organization offering participants a broad choice of homestay locations. These include Los Angeles, San Francisco, Fresno, California; Seattle, Tacoma and Bellingham, Washington, Portland, Oregon; Boston, Masachusetts; Maine; New Hampshire; Mississippi; Arizona; Memphis and Nashville, Tennessee; and Orlando, Florida.

Learn more about WISE

The Work & Travel Program is available during the your summer vacation for a minimum duration of usually 12 weeks, and a maximum of 4 months. During this period you will receive basic entry level work experience, cultural exchange and improve their English Skills. After completion of their program, you are able to travel for an additional 30 days within the US. You are not allowed to work during this grace period of 30 days. Therefore, the total duration of the program is a maximum of 4 months, during which you are eligible to work, plus 30 days for travel purposes.

To be eligible for the Work & Travel Program you should:
• be at least 18 years of age.
• be a full-time student.
• have good English language skills.
• be in good health.

To be registered in the Work & Travel Program selected you should complete and send to the Sponsor the Work & Travel Application Form. Attached to the application form, you must send:
• a resume with motivation letter;
• two recent pictures (no photocopies);
• a copy of the passport page with biographical information;
• a letter from your school certifying you are a full time student.

JOB PLACEMENT

You will not normally be able to have a position that offers training for your future career, but you will certainly be able learn a lot through your job if you are open to new people and experiences. The Work & Travel Program does not require that participants have special training or professional skills, we just ask that you have a positive attitude about hard work! Earn money while you get to know the country as no tourist can. Here is a sample of the types of businesses where students are placed in the country. The location of these positions are in many states across the US.
• Theme Parks
• Hotels
• National Parks
• Retail Stores
• Ski Resorts

Click here for typical job descriptions.

Depending on the placement procedure two options of the program are offered:

1. Placement Option

Sponsor will arrange a basic, entry level job for you, much like one that a student in the U.S. would have during a school break.
When sponsoring organization receives your application through one of our overseas partners, we will review your interests and coordinate the available employers that best fits your interests and skills to arrange for an offer. Please note that not all first choices can be met, and the most popular locations and positions are filled first so applying early is very important.

Learn more about Placement Option

2. Self-Placement (Independent) Option

Our Self-Placement (Independent) Option gives you freedom and flexibility. If you would rather determine the specific type of job and location on your own, you are a good candidate for our Self -Placed Program. This program is ideal if you wish to arrange your own job independently or have family or friends in the USA who can help connect you with an employer. If you're looking for an internship in your career field, find the company and we can arrange your visa. The level of responsibility and rules and regulations of the program are the same for the Sponsor Placements and Self-Placed candidates.

Learn more about Independent Option


ENTRANCE TO THE USA

Official Documents Required For The Entrance To The USA:

• J-1 Visa
• DS-2019 form
• Social Security Card
• Medical Insurance

Visa

Youwill be required to have a visa to participate in the program. The United States Government has made it possible to obtain visas through the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (Public Law 87-256) as amended, 22 U.S.C. 2451, et. Seq. (1988), also known as the Fulbright Hays Act. The purpose of the Act is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of the educational and cultural exchanges. These exchanges assist the Department of State in furthering the foreign policy objectives of the United States.
You enter the US on a J-1 Cultural Exchange Visa. The category of J-1 visa is “work & travel.”  The J-1 visa is for a maximum of 4 months working and an additional 30 days at the end for you to travel before returning to your home country.

Learn more about J-1 Visa

DS-2019 form

DS 2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status. You will need to submit a SEVIS generated Form, DS-2019, which was provided to you by your program sponsor. All exchange visitors, including their spouses and dependents must be registered in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), an Internet-based system that maintains accurate and current information on non-immigrant students and exchange visitors and their dependents (J-2 visa holders). Your program sponsor is responsible for entering your information for the DS 2019 Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status into SEVIS. Exchange visitors not part of a U.S. Government-sponsored program will also have to pay a Sevis I-901 fee ($ 35) for each program. 

Medical Insurance

A requirement of your visa category is to ensure you maintain appropriate medical insurance at all times. A complete brochure and insurance card will be provided with the welcome package once your application has been processed.

Learn more about Medical Insurance

Social Security Card

Upon your arrival to the USA you are also to get your Social Security Number in the Social Security Administration office. You should apply for the Social Security Card 10 days after you validate your visa. In some cases, you might need to apply for your card before you arrive to your site, or your site may assist you to apply for the card on the first few days.

Learn more about Social Security Card

SEVIS (validation of your visa)

You are required to validate your visa by contacting your sponsor and confirming your address as well as your arrival to your host site within three days of arrival to the United States. The sponsor is required to validate your visa in the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) database which is shared by Department of State and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The information you provide to sponsor is entered into this computer. Failure to validate the visa will result in the termination of the visa status automatically by SEVIS.

Learn more about SEVIS

Pre-Departure Orientation

You must participate in a pre-departure orientation conducted by the overseas representative. Sponsor will provide copies of participant manuals as part of the visa package. It is recommended that the overseas representative refer to the information in the participant handbook as a guideline for the content of the pre-arrival orientation. Included in the orientation meeting is information about living and working in the US and assistance with applying for a Social Security Card.
Here there are some points of the Orientation:
1. Know Before You Go to the US
• Apply for your Visa Stamp
• Common Visa Questions & Answers
• Getting Ready to Go
• Personal Safety
2. Arrival - What to Do, What to Expect
• Immigration on Arrival
• Validation of Your Visa
• Change of Address
• Applying for your Social Security Card
3. Important Information While in the US
• Medical Insurance
• Leaving the Program Before Scheduled
• You and the Law
• Laws pertaining to Alcohol and Illegal Drugs
• Driving State / ID Card
• Solving Problems
4. Day-to-Day Life in the US
• Life in the United States
• Ways to Reduce Cultural Stress
• Making Phone Calls
• Mail
5. Help!!!!
• WISE Contact Information
• Emergencies
6. Going Home
• Completion of Evaluation forms
• Taxes


THINGS TO REMEMBER ABOUT YOUR SUMMER WORK TRAVEL VISA:

• The J-1 Visa Stamp is issued by the US Consulate. It is given to you with the understanding that at the end of the program you will return to your home country to continue promoting international understanding.
• By the government regulations the J-1 Summer Work and Travel category can be no longer than 4 months. The dates on your DS- 2019 form may be less. The dates on the form are based on the offer letter from your employer that you signed as part of your application.
• The dates on your DS- 2019 form cannot be extended.
• If you lose the DS-2019 form, you should contact your sponsor immediately for a replacement. There is a 200$ fee to replace lost DS-2019 form. You make want to make a photocopy of the DS-2019 to carry with you and keep the original in the safe place.
• Sometimes the expiration date on your visa stamp in your passport is different than the dates on your DS-2019 form. The dates of the J-1 visa stamp in your passport is the time during which you may approach immigration to enter or re-enter the US but you must have with you an un-expired DS-2019 form. Your program will end on the expiration date on your DS-2019 form.
• Upon your arrival to the USA you will be given an I-94 form (usually on the airplane). You will complete this card on the airplane. This will become the paperwork documenting your arrival and departure to the US. Do not lose this form. If you lose this form you will not be able to get your Social Security Card. The information you put on this card should match your details from your passport and on your DS-2019 form. If it does not, it could present problems with your Social Security Card applications, etc. When you arrive at your US port of entry (airport), Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will review your DS-2019 and your visa stamp in your passport. They may ask you a few questions such as Where you plan to travel?” or “Why are you coming to the US?” Your record of entry to the United States will be recorded into the SEVIS computer system as will future departures and re-entries to and from the United States during your J-1 program. Should you violate the terms of your program, your sponsor can withdraw sponsorship which will terminate your visa status in the shared database that is owned by DHS.

When you leave immigration you should have:
• Your passport
• An I-94 card stapled in your passport
• Your DS-2019 form


WELCOME TO THE UNITED STATES!

US Federal Regulations SWAT
Sponsor (WISE)
Typical job descriptions
Placement Option
Independent Option
J-1 Visa
Medical Insurance
Social Security Card
SEVIS

 

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