Summer Work Travel Program

The Summer Work Travel Program (colloquially known in Asia as Summer Work and Travel) is a program founded and maintained by the United States Department of State, which determines the number of students that have a right to take part each year. The program works with private companies that register students into the program and help to provide information and get the necessary documents, including the J-1 visa. Some agencies also help program participants to plan their journey to their future place of work, giving the possibility of purchasing international airline tickets on students tariffs.

Program details

The Summer Work Travel Program allows international students who wish to familiarize themselves with American culture to work and travel in the United States during their academic breaks. Job placements, working conditions, and wages are typically arranged before participants arrive in the U.S. After completing their work period, participants may travel within the country in accordance with their visa terms.

The program is overseen by the U.S. Department of State, which regulates its operation and sets annual participation limits. Approved U.S.-based sponsors manage the program, while international recruitment agencies facilitate the selection and preparation of participants. U.S. employers provide temporary job opportunities, and participants may stay in the country for up to four months.

Program administration involves the use of SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System), which tracks participants' work locations, living arrangements, and legal status. General data about participants is publicly available on the J-1 visa website. The program schedule varies to align with academic calendars worldwide, allowing participation during summer breaks or, for students in the southern hemisphere, during the U.S. winter months.

Requirements

Summer Work and Travel students must be:

• Sufficiently proficient in English to successfully interact in an English speaking environment
• Post-secondary school students enrolled in and actively pursuing a degree or other full-time course of study at an accredited classroom based, post-secondary educational institution outside the United States
• Have successfully completed at least one semester or equivalent of post-secondary academic study
• Pre-placed in a job prior to entry unless from a visa waiver country

Agencies

To embark on a Summer Work and Travel program, students must apply through a local agency. Agencies help to:-

• Arrange for job placements with a US host organisation
• Provide advice for US Visa applications and J-1 interview process
• Pre-arrange housing before participant arrival in the US
• Assist in documentation such as SEVIS registration, visa fee payment
• Be on 24/7 support for the student

Notable agencies worldwide

• In Malaysia, reputable agencies for Work and Travel include Infinity Abroad, Out of the Box, Wunderbar Adventura, and *Speedwing. (*Also operating in Singapore)
• In South America, Universal Student Exchange (USE) is an agency with offices in Peru, Argentina, Chile and representatives in Brasil, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Spain and Romania.