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Visit Student Placement Australia

Your Visa

After approving your program application we will provide you with a visa application form, DS-2019, and instructions on how to complete it. You can pay for the visa application at your local post office and you pay all final visa fees directly to the US Consulate.

Applying for the Visa

PART ONE:

What do I need to apply for a US visa?

All applicants must have the following:

Application Form DS-156 signed with a recent passport photo attached:  Failure to answer all questions on this form could result in significant delays. Download Form DS-156 here

A colour or black and white photo: The photo must be less than six months old, 5 x 5 cm, against a white background, and show you facing the camera directly. Click here for details of photo requirements

A valid passport or travel document. If you have held US visas in previous passports, please forward them to the US Consulate as well.

Original cash register receipt from any Australia Post Office showing payment of the non-refundable visa application fee (click here for current fee). No other form of payment is accepted.

A self-addressed Express Post Platinum envelope, Registered Post envelope or courier satchel for the return of your documents. Failure to provide this will cause a delay in the processing of your application.

Original, complete and signed Form DS-2019.

Completed Contact Information and Work History Form DS-158 Download Contact Information and Work History Form (DS-158).

Evidence of financial resources to cover expenses while in the USA (US $975 is required).

Payment of issuance fee (click here for current fee).

SEVIS I901 payment (this will be pre-paid by CIEE, and invoiced to you by Student Placement Australia. You will be provided with the SEVIS receipt with your DS-2019 forms) Currently US$35

All male applicants between the ages of 16 and 45 must also submit: Supplemental Application Form DS-157: Download Form DS-157 here

In addition to the above items, you may be asked to present evidence and documents that establish your purpose and qualifications. You may be asked to submit documentation of a residence abroad to which you will return after your visit to the US.

Information for applicants with previous convictions or arrests Arrests and/or Convictions & How they affect your NIV application.

How do I apply?

All Applicants must appear in person for an interview at the U.S. Consular Office serving your state. Depending on where you live in Australia, the application procedures vary.

WA

Visa Conditions

  • The work permit is valid for the dates printed on your DS-2019 form.
  • Each applicant must provide proof that s/he has access to sufficient funds while in the US (approximately US $975).
  • You can only undertake employment during the validity of your visa.
  • You can work anywhere in continental US, Alaska, Hawaii, as well as Puerto Rico and Guam.
  • You are allowed to stay in the USA for a total of 30 days as a tourist (with a maximum of 5 days prior to your work start date and, therefore, 25 days after your work visa expires).

SEVIS

You may be familiar with the term SEVIS.  The SEVIS, or Student and Exchange Visitor Information System database was implemented in January 2003 and is the database that your visitor record is kept in.  From the time you are issued a Certificate of Eligibility for J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa, Form DS-2019, you are "in" the SEVIS database.

You must follow two requirements of SEVIS once you are in the database.  First, you must register the start of your Work & Travel program within 10 days of the start date listed on your DS-2019 Form. You must register your US address and employment details. If you fail to do this, you will be automatically withdrawn from the program. Secondly, you must provide updates to your US address any time that you move about the U.S.  It is absolutely mandatory that you follow these regulations. Failure to do so may prevent you from obtaining a visa to come to the US again in the future.
 
CIEE provides 3 different ways to make it easy for you to fulfil your SEVIS requirements: by toll-free telephone, by email and via the web.  You can email CIEE at: info@councilexchanges.org with your registration details. Or, you can join the thousands who have found that using the web www.mysevis.com is the easiest and fastest method to fulfil the SEVIS requirements. CIEE can be reached toll-free at 1-888-COUNCIL. 
 
Whatever method you choose, we are committed to keeping you in regulatory compliance with the SEVIS system.