1. What is the J-1 Summer Work/Travel Exchange Visitor Program?
The Summer Work/Travel program provides international post-secondary students the opportunity to work and travel in the United States for a four-month period during their summer vacations. The goal of the program is to build friendships and nurture cultural awareness and understanding.
2. How long does the Summer Work/Travel program last?
The Summer Work/Travel program is a three to four-month program. Program dates entered in block 3 of Form DS-2019 define the program duration, a period of time up to, but not exceeding, four months. Participants may not w…
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3. When may students participate in a Summer Work/Travel program?
Participants who are full-time college or university students in their home countries may participate in the Summer Work/Travel program during their summer vacation. It is inappropriate for students to participate in this …
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4. How old are program participants?
Participants are typically in their undergraduate years. Ages can vary between 18 and 30 years old.
5. How are program participants selected?
CETUSA screens each applicant by written application as well as face-to-face interviews. Applications are reviewed directly by CETUSA and interviews are conducted directly by trusted partners in the students’ home country….
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6. Must the employer provide accident and health insurance for participants?
No. CETUSA provides accident and health insurance for all program participants.
7. Does CETUSA provide orientations for program participants?
Yes. All participants of the program will have been thoroughly prepared for the program and pre-departure orientations are provided for all participants. Citizen Diplomats will be involved in ongoing orientation upon arrival and during the course of the participant’s stay.
8. Are there any restrictions on the kind of employment a program participant may hold?
Yes. Participants may not be employed as domestic employees in U.S. households, in positions that require them to invest their own monies to provide themselves with inventory for the purpose of door-to-door sales or in employment involving any type of patient care.
9. Are program participants paid for their work?
Work and Travel participants receive the same pay as U.S. citizens in the same or similar positions. Program participants are to be informed about the Federal Minimum Wage requirements and applicable overtime laws.
10. Must participants pay taxes?
Work and Travel participants have applicable federal, state and local income taxes withheld from their paychecks. Participants and employers need not pay Social Security, Medicare and Federal Unemployment taxes (Ref: Depar…
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11. Where do participants come from and when?
Summer: Students arrive in May, June and July and may stay for up to 4 months. Typically, these students have all gone by the end of October. Most participants come from Poland, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Mexico, Russia, Jama…
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