What is the Work&Travel USA Program?
American Cultural Exchanges
(ACE) 's Work&Travel USA Program is a wonderful
opportunity for students from other countries,
who are enrolled full-time in a post-secondary
institution, to come to the U.S. during their
summer vacations to work and travel. The primary
purpose of the program is to promote
international understanding and exchange by
giving students a chance to experience the
American culture and learn more about the
country and its people.
How am I selected?
You will be selected based upon the information
you submit, plus the results of your
personal interview. If you have participated in
a Work/Travel program before, please be
aware that only ten percent of the selected
participants can be repeaters.
Can a student participate
in the
program after graduation?
American Cultural Exchanges (ACE)
will consider a student who graduates in the spring or
summer of the year they are applying for the program.
Do I need excellent
English skills to
participate in the program?
No. Some jobs require excellent English skills
while others require lower levels of English
skills. Our interviewers will evaluate your
English skills during the personal interview and
make you a job offer of a job that you will be
able to handle based upon your English skills.
What kind of visa do I need?
You will come to the U.S. in Exchange Visitor
visa status (J-1 visa). Upon acceptance to the
program, you will be sent a Form DS-2019, which
you will take to the U.S. consulate in your
country to apply for the visa. You will receive
detailed instructions during your pre-departure
orientation concerning applying for the visa.
What is the difference
between
a J-1 Visa and an H Visa?
A J-1 Visa is a temporary visa used for
exchange visitor programs. The H Visa is a WORK
visa. The J-1 is not intended to be a substitute
for a work visa. If you want to be employed, you
do not qualify for the J-1 Visa.
Can I extend my stay in the United States?
There are no extensions for the J-1 Work/Travel
Program. By signing your copy of the Terms and
Conditions of the program, you are agreeing to
return home within 30 days of the end of your
program. Failure to return home by that time
will result in your being out of status, and
subject to arrest and deportation. Do not
jeopardize your future by breaking the law.
Return home at the end of your program.
Can I travel after my
work experience ?
Yes, 30 days are granted after the program ends
during which students are free to travel. But
before the 30 days have passed, you must return
home or you will be in violation of your visa
status.
Do I need to be covered
by health
insurance while I am in the U.S.?
Yes, all participants are required by U.S. law to
have a minimum level of health insurance for the
duration of their stay in the U.S. American
Cultural Exchanges (ACE) offers a comprehensive
insurance plan.
Can I provide my own
health insurance?
The US government has imposed strict
requirements on what coverage must be carried
and for that reason the coverage is included in
your program fee.
Will I have to pay Social
Security taxes ?
Host organizations or business employers cannot
legally let student workers begin work without a
social security number.
Each participant must apply for a social
security number, but the J-1 visa status should
exempt you from paying social security taxes. In
applying for a social security number, you must
have with you 2 photo identifying documents, one
of which must be at least one year old. If you
arrive in the U.S. with a 6-month old passport
and a new driver's license, these are not
considered valid documents to apply for a social
security number. At least one official picture
ID must be dated older than one year. Birth
Certificates may be accepted as one ID.
Will I have to pay income
taxes on my income ?
Yes, and the amount depends on the total
amount earned in a calendar year. Generally,
both Federal and State income taxes must be
paid. However, participants will have the chance
to complete documentation at the end of their
stay so that they can get part of the taxes
reimbursed.
When can I start my job?
US law allows you to start as early as May 15
and work as late as October 19 each year.
However, you may work only a maximum of 4 months
during that time frame. The main USA summer
season begins with the Memorial day weekend
(about May 26) and ends on labor day weekend
(about September 5). While you can arrive in
July, it will limit the amount of time you can
work and will severely limit the number of
employers who will consider you for a summer
job.
How many hours will I
work?
Typically Americans work a 35-40 hour week.
However, many students prefer to work more hours
than that and if that is your preference we can
usually arrange for additional hours, sometimes
at a second employer. Many of our students work
60 and even 80 hours per week, but this is by
the student’s choice. Most students will work 5
or 6 days per week.
Do I have to stay at my
job?
By signing your Job Offer, you are agreeing to
work for that employer. If you decide that you
cannot work for that employer, or you lose your
job, you need to contact American
Cultural Exchanges (ACE) for
assistance.
If you are a Placement Program Participant, and
you don't show up at your job, or you leave your
job without contacting us first, you may be
dismissed from the program, and you will have to
return home immediately. Make sure you contact
American Cultural Exchanges (ACE)
before leaving your Placement Job. He or she
will work with you and your employer to resolve
any problems that you may be experiencing. This
mediation process is mandatory for all Placement
Program Participants.
If you are a Independent Placement Job
Participant, you may not switch jobs without
notifying American Cultural Exchanges
(ACE). If you take a job that is not listed on
your DS-2019 form, you may be dismissed from the
program, and you will have to return home
immediately. Avoid this problem by contacting us
before you leave your job. You will have to
submit new Job Offer Letter, signed by you and
your new employer. After you fax the Letter back
to us, we will issue a letter authorizing the
new employment.
Can I change employers?
This is not possible. Your employer has planned upon
your working at his location for the full duration of
your commitment. You made a committment for a set period
of time. However, once in a while if there is a problem
with your employment location we will help you to
resolve the problem. You will receive that telephone
number with your orientation. If you leave your employer
without our permission you will immediately be an 'out
of status' on your VISA. And subject to immediate
deportation and other penalties. Generally problems
concerning a job can be resolved by our staff to
everyones satisfaction.
How much money will I
earn?
You will be paid the prevailing wages in the
area that you are working. Typically an area
such as a large city would pay more but your
rent and expenses would also be much higher. At
any location you should be able to earn enough
money to pay your fees and your airfare and your
living expenses and still have some money left
over for travel or to take home. It really all
depends on how you save or spend your money.
Can I find a second job?
If you desire to hold a second job American
Cultural Exchanges (ACE) will be happy to work
with you to find a second job that will not interfere
with your main employer.
Can I select my job from
a list?
No. We do not publish a list of jobs per see.
You will receive a job offer after you have been
interviewed and accepted and paid your program
fees. This job offer will be based upon your
preferences indicated during the interview.
What kinds of jobs are
available?
Typically we have semi-skilled and entry level
jobs in many areas and fields. Examples would be
reservations agents in resorts, registration
agents at automobile rental facilities, front
desk personnel at hotels and resorts, van
drivers, cashiers, food preparers, cooks,
housekeepers, groundskeepers, and a lot of
others.
Can I be placed with a friend or friends?
Yes, you can, but it limits the number of employers
who will consider hiring you. Many employers will not
hire friends. However, American Cultural
Exchanges
(ACE) usually has more than 1 employer in a town or
city and many times we can place you in one job and your
friend at another employer just a few blocks away. You
WILL NOT be housed together as each employer makes their
own housing arrangements. You can tell us your requests
at the interviews.
What do I do if I lose my passport/I-94/DS-2019?
If you lose your passport and/or
your I-94 you will need to report the loss
immediately to INS. They can help you with the
process for replacing your I-94. The process can
take a long time so be sure to contact them as
soon as you notice the I-94 is lost. To replace
your passport you will need to contact the
nearest Embassy for your home country. You can
call American Cultural Exchanges
(ACE) for help in locating the telephone numbers
for your nearest home country Embassy and the
INS office nearest you.
To obtain a new passport, you will need to
contact your embassy or consulate in the U.S.
You can find a current listing of
embassies/consulates online at
http://www.embassyworld.com/.
To apply for a new I-94 card, you need to visit
the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS)
office and file form I-102.
http://www.immigration.gov/graphics/index.htm
If you lose your DS-2019, contact
American Cultural Exchanges (ACE) right
away. Your DS-2019 can be replaced for a $150
fee. Send a check or money order made payable to
American Cultural Exchanges (ACE) to
our address. We can also send you a photocopy of
your form for temporary use if necessary.
Will I be provided some additional
information about traveling to the USA?
You will be invited to attend a pre-departure
orientation and at that meeting you will receive both
lecture and extensive materials on traveling to the USA,
US customs and airline travel, etc.
How much are the airplane tickets?
That’s a difficult question because American
Cultural Exchanges (ACE) recruits students from
all over the globe. Please contact your local cooperator
for information and assistance with air travel
reservations.
What about my return flights?
Some airlines permit open returns, others provide one
change of return at no charge and still others provide
unlimited changes, or all changes require a fee. That
information will be available to you after you have been
interviewed and accepted.
as information on airline tickets and how to make your
airline reservations.
Note: you would make your
reservation directly with the airline and pay the
airline direct.
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