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Frequently
Asked Questions
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answer further down the page.
VISA
WORK
GENERAL
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What type of visa do
I receive?
You are a participant in an educational exchange program
approved by the US Department of State and will receive
a J-1 visa. Under the terms of the J-1 visa, you are allowed
to work for up to 12 months at sites approved by the sponsor.
The visa does not allow you to work as a domestic, au pair,
camp counsellor, or in the medical field. In Nov. 1986,
the US Congress passed a new Immigration Law requiring
employers to verify that all employees - both US citizens
and non-resident aliens - are eligible to work. The company
supervisor will ask to see your passport and a copy of
the Exchange Visitor Visa Form called DS-2019. This was
the form that served to obtain the visa. The Immigration
officer will stamp it and leave it in your passport. It
should remain there at all times. We encourage you to make
photocopies of your passport and the DS-2019 and keep them
in a safe place. These are the documents that prove your
work eligibility and identity. You will also be asked to
sign a form (I-9) that the host company keeps in its files.
The form proves that the company has verified work eligibility.
Can I travel around
the US after my working authorisation has expired?
Once your DS-2019 has expired you have 30 days from the
expiration date to travel within the US.
Can I leave the US and
re-enter on my J-1 visa?
Yes, if you plan on travelling outside of the US during
your program, you must first notify CIEE and request permission
to travel. This involves CIEE signing your DS-2019 form,
and issuing you a letter of “Good Standing” that
indicates that you are still a current participant and
that you will be returning to the US to continue on with
your program.
Please follow these steps for successfully
travelling in and out of the country.
1. Make sure you are travelling WITHIN
the dates on your DS-2019 form. Travel outside of these
dates is prohibited, and will prevent you from re-entering
the US!
2. Send your DS-2019 form to CIEE
at least two weeks prior to your trip using mail that can
be tracked (i.e. - Fed Ex). Include a note stating
your travel plans, US address, and phone number.
3. INCLUDE a self addressed, PREPAID,
TRACKABLE envelope (i.e. Fed Ex). CIEE will use this
to send your signed DS form and a letter of "Good
Standing."
If you want to visit the CIEE office
in order to get the DS-2019 signed in person, please call
the CIEE Customer Service Center beforehand to let them
know when to expect you.
Please also note that your DS-2019,
J-1 visa, and passport must be valid in order to re-enter
the U.S. Lastly, make sure it states "M" under "Entries" on
your J-1 visa. If it states "S" or "1," you
will not be able to re-enter the U.S. to finish the Work & Travel
USA Program.
What if I lose the copy
of the DS-2019 Form?
You must have the copy of the DS-2019 form for the visa
to be valid. If this is lost, CIEE will replace the form.
A good safeguard is to always keep the copy of the DS-2019
form in the passport and have copies put elsewhere in a
safe place. If you lose your passport, please contact your
nearest Embassy or Consulate as soon as possible so that
they can assist you in obtaining new documentation.
When can I go?
You can go on the Work & Travel USA -
12 month program at any time of the year.
Summer
Work & Travel students can work in the USA between
November 15th - February 28th. Your work dates will be
based on the length of your vacation break from uni or
TAFE.
Do I need to find a job
before I leave?
No. You can secure your job after your arrival in the
US. You can work in any position which is not restricted.
Can I work in any Industry?
Work in the following areas are prohibited:
- Au pairs, maids or any other domestic work such as baby-sitting
or housekeeping
- Camp counsellors
- Medical interns or anything involving hands-on therapy,
counselling, administering treatment or making diagnoses
of medical, psychiatric or psychological patients or animals
- Pilots or crewmembers on ships or airplanes
- Teachers or educational instructors
- Adult entertainment industry jobs
- Sales jobs involving purchasing sales merchandise to
resell (e.g. door-to-door sales).
 Can I work for more
than one employer?
Yes.
Do I have to work full
time?
No.
What if I don’t
find a job in the first 10 days after my arrival?
Participants are required to contact CIEE and report their
current address and employment status within 10 days of
their arrival. If you have not secured a position you are
required to keep CIEE informed about your location and job
search process.
When do I need to apply?
Your full application must be submitted to Student Placement
Australia a minimum of 8 weeks before your departure date.
How do I apply for
the program?
You can download an application
form from our website, e-mail
us, or give us a call - 1300 135 331 (cost
of a local call) and we will send you one. Please see How
to Apply section.
Do I need travel and
medical insurance?
Your program fee includes travel and medical insurance.
Under US Government program regulations, you must have an
approved level of insurance coverage. Our custom insurance
plans meet this requirement. Our insurance covers you for
emergency and accidents including hospital cover - but only
while you are on the program. There is only limited baggage
coverage and it does not cover loss of personal effects.
If you are intending on taking expensive items we recommend
you take out additional coverage.
Why do I have to pay
to go on this program?
Your program fee covers SPA’s services to you in
Australia and CIEE’s services and support whilst in
the US including sponsorship of your visa. The fee also
covers your insurance. For a full list of what’s included
in the program fee please click here.
Can I repeat the Program?
Work & Travel 12 months - No,
applicants are only permitted to receive
the visa once.
Summer Work & Travel - Yes, applicants are permitted
to repeat the program.
Is there an age limit?
Work & Travel 12 months - No, as long as you
meet the eligibility criteria and are more than 18 years
old.
Summer Work & Travel - Yes, 18 -
30 years.
Am I permitted to study
whilst in the US?
Yes, you may take a course, but the study should
be incidental to the work/travel program (i.e. a night class)
and not a course which issues credits, leads to a degree
or otherwise would require a F1 student visa.
Do I need personal
savings?
As your US authorised sponsor for this program, CIEE is
responsible for ensuring that you arrive in the US with
sufficient funds to support yourself before you start earning
your own money. You will need to declare that you have access
to a minimum of US $975. You may also be asked by Immigration
for evidence of these funds when entering the US and when
applying for your visa at the US Consulate serving your
state.
What Documents do I need to take to the US?
For Work & Travel USA 12 months there
are no specific documents that you are required to take
with you.
For Summer Work & Travel USA you
must be sure to print out these documents
before leaving for the US:
- Dear
Employer Letter
Give this to your employer in the
US when you arrive. This letter explains that you are
a participant on the Work & Travel
USA program through CIEE, and will
assist your employer in setting up your paycheck properly.
- Dear
Social Security Officer
CIEE provides you with this
letter to help you through the Social Security process.
Please take this with you when you apply for your card,
and present to the Social Security Officer.
- Legal
Opinion Letter
After you have applied for your Social
Security Card, it is legal for you to
receive paychecks even if you are still waiting for your
card. This letter explains this fact, and is written by
an attorney in case your employer has any questions.
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