No. The sponsor may make a minor adjustment to the start and/or end dates on your DS-2019 Form to indicate your actual date of arrival (for example, moving both the start and end dates two days earlier or one day later) only if those dates correspond to the official vacation dates of your university in your country, and only if the total adjusted time is not more than four (4) months total. Certain countries require students to return to their home country and school by a specified date. Overstaying that date can jeopardize offending a student’s immigration status and/or chance to return to the US as a tourist, on another visa or to repeat as a J-1 SWT student. Check with your SPONSOR to make sure whether any required return dates apply to you.

The US Immigration Service (USCIS) provides J-1 program participants the option of a 30-day travel period immediately following the successful completion of the working portion of their SWT programs. This is called the “Grace Period.” The grace period allows participants to travel in the U.S. and/or to prepare for and depart the United States. It is not to be used for any other purpose (including working, as well as departing the U.S. and attempting to reenter again during that grace period).

This grace period is NOT to be included as between the program start and end dates that you find on the DS-2019 Form.

During the grace period, you cannot expect to leave the USA and then return to the USA with your J-1 Summer Work and Travel Visa because that visa expires on the “end date” listed on the DS2019. Because of this, we recommend that participants desiring to travel outside the U.S. during their grace periods (e.g. to Canada, Mexico…) do so only at the end of their grace, and only if such participants have departure flights scheduled from outside the USA directly home (not via the USA for home).

This depends on the host company and the specific individual situation. This is usually allowed, but please understand that your Summer Work and Travel Program contract is with the host company, not with your friend.

This depends on the host company and the specific individual situation. This is usually allowed, but please understand that your Summer Work and Travel Program contract is with the host company, not with your friend.

Contact us immediately to discuss the situation. Students are only allowed to change jobs with prior approval from the sponsor. Students who break this rule will experience immediate program termination (new Department of State regulation).

No. You can only work for a host company that your WAT USA sponsor has officially vetted and allowed you to work for. You may not transfer to a new host company or begin working for a new host company other than your original host company without your sponsor’s prior permission (this is also a Department of State regulation.)

If you lose your job, the first thing to do is to inform us immediately! The sponsor handles such situations on a case-by-case basis. Failure to report getting fired from you job, as well as other significant events may cause your program termination.

You cannot travel outside the USA during the 30-day grace period and expect to return to the USA during that time. However, if you do plan to travel internationally, even to somewhere as close as Canada or Mexico, you can only do so while your J-1 visa is valid, and you first need to take the following steps:

1. Before you plan a trip outside of the United States, get written permission from your employer if you are going to miss any days of work.
2. Check with the Embassy or Consulate of the country you want to visit, as well as your country to confirm additional visa you may need for travel to or through any countries on your trip. This should include any countries in which you might stop briefly just to change airplanes or refuel.
3. Contact your sponsor at least three (3) weeks before your departure date to notify us.
4. Upon travel approval from your sponsor, and significantly prior to your departure, you will need to send your DS-2019 Form to the sponsor to get “travel permission” signed. The sponsor will send the signed form back to you as quickly as possible. We suggest express mailing the document to us by UPS, FedEx, or DHL, both for document safety and speed. You must send the sponsor your DS2019 form together with a pre-self-addressed, pre-paid express mail envelope from UPS, FedEx or DHL. Otherwise, we will send your form via normal US Postal service.
5. Always protect and do not lose your DS-2019 during your travels in and outside the USA. Replacing it is costly, and you may be denied entry back into the USA if it’s lost.

Usually. However, you must FIRST get approval from the sponsor. Poor performance and attitude, inappropriate behavior and activities that affect your primary job as well as what affect a second job might have on your primary job will influence the sponsor’s decision.

Usually. However, you must FIRST get approval from the sponsor. Poor performance and attitude, inappropriate behavior and activities that affect your primary job as well as what affect a second job might have on your primary job will influence the sponsor’s decision.

It’s up to you how much money you can earn. The more hours you work and the more jobs you have will determine whether you’ll be able to pay off that student loan on your return!! However, participants working for ‘salary only’ must be paid at least the federal minimum wage. Participants working for ‘salary plus tips’ will receive a lower basic wage.

The sponsor ensures that Summer Work/Travel students receive appropriate pay and the required workman’s comp coverage in their jobs. Host employers are required to fairly compensate participants for their work, and “shall compensate participants with pay and benefits commensurate with those offered to their American counterparts”. The sponsor is also required to inform program participants about the Federal Minimum Wage requirements. For more information on Federal Minimum Wage requirements, please visit https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/minimum-wage/state for the latest and most accurate information.

All first-time applicants must apply for a Social Security card.  Only if you have obtained a Social Security Number in the past, through a previous US visa are you exempt from this requirement. In this case you can use the same card / number again.
If you have not applied before you will need to locate your nearest Social Security office. Try to avoid applying between the peak hours, we recommend you go early in the morning to avoid the long queues. You will need to bring to the office:

• Your “Dear Social Security Officer” Letter
• DS2019
• Your passport with your J-1 Visa stapled inside.

Always ask for a receipt of application from the Social Security Officer. This will assist you to prove to potential US Employers you have applied for your SSN.
Please note that once you have applied for your Social Security card, it is legal to be paid by your US Employer.

Yes. All exchange visitors and their dependents, regardless of their program category, are required to have medical insurance that meets or exceeds US Department of State requirements** during their time in the U.S. on the Program. We require each participant to have insurance in effect that covers sickness or accident during the entire period that you participate in our program.

**Minimum coverage shall provide:

1. Medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness
2. Repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500
3. Expenses associated with the medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $10,000
4. A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness

The insurance policy, plan, or contract that is secured to fulfill the above requirements must meet other standards specified in the Exchange Visitor Program regulations.

Exchange visitors and/or any accompanying spouse or dependents who willfully fail to maintain the insurance coverage set forth in the regulations while participating in exchange visitor programs, or who make material misrepresentations to the sponsor regarding such coverage, are deemed to be in violation of the regulations. Such a violation of program rules shall result in that participant’s immediate program termination. We must also terminate a participant’s participation if they or accompanying spouse and/or dependent fails to remain in compliance with the regulations governing insurance coverage. Program termination will result in your early departure from the U.S.A. and potential immigration consequences.

Yes. We will contact you at least monthly to check in and see how you are doing. If you do not respond to our repeated attempts to check in and/or communicate with you, we are required to terminate your program. The sponsor is required to ensure that your activities are consistent with the cultural and other intents of the program. We greatly care about you, and monitor the progress and welfare of all our participants, additionally updating your current address and telephone numbers.

Furthermore, we provide all participants with 24-hour emergency assistance that connects to a live sponsor representative.

The insurance policy, plan, or contract that is secured to fulfill the above requirements must meet other standards specified in the Exchange Visitor Program regulations.

Exchange visitors who willfully fail to maintain the insurance coverage set forth in the regulations while participating in exchange visitor programs, or who make material misrepresentations to the sponsor regarding such coverage, are deemed to be in violation of the regulations. Such a violation of program rules shall result in that participant’s immediate program termination. Program termination will result in your early departure from the U.S.A. and potential immigration consequences.

• For emergencies only, contact the Department of State at their Emergency Hotline: 1-866-283-9090.
• For all other issues, please email the Department at: jvisas@state.gov