work and travel usa 2023 application

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Summer Work Travel

College and University students enrolled full time and pursuing studies at post-secondary accredited academic institutions located outside the United States come to the United States to share their culture and ideas with people of the United States through temporary work and travel opportunities.

Participants

Summer work 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; and
• Pre-placed in a job prior to entry unless from a visa waiver country.

The Summer Work Travel program provides foreign students with an opportunity to live and work in the United States during their summer vacation from college or university to experience and to be exposed to the people and way of life in the United States.

More information

Summer work travel 2024 season program dates by country, summer work travel community support groups.

Find SWT community support groups near you

Map of Summer Work Travel Participants

View the number and locations of Summer Work Travel participants across the U.S.

Readmittance, Program Length, and Returning Home

• Readmittance: Participants can be admitted to the program more than once;
• Program Length: The maximum length of the program is four months; and
• Returning Home: Students must return to their home country prior to the start date of their university or college.

Program Exclusions

Sponsors must not place participants:

• In positions that could bring notoriety or disrepute to the Exchange Visitor Program;
• In sales positions that require participants to purchase inventory that they must sell in order to support themselves;
• In domestic help positions in private homes (e.g., child care, elder care, gardener, chauffeur);
• As pedicab or rolling chair drivers or operators;
• As operators or drivers of vehicles or vessels for which drivers’ licenses are required regardless of whether they carry passengers or not;
• In positions related to clinical care that involves patient contact;
• In any position in the adult entertainment industry (including, but not limited to jobs with escort services, adult book/video stores, and strip clubs);
• In positions requiring work hours that fall predominantly between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am;
• In positions declared hazardous to youth by the Secretary of Labor at Subpart E of 29 CFR part 570;
• In positions that require sustained physical contact with other people and/or adherence to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Universal Blood and Body Fluid Precautions guidelines (e.g., body piercing, tattooing, massage, manicure);
• In positions that are substantially commission-based and thus do not guarantee that participants will be paid minimum wage in accordance with federal and state standards;
• In positions involved in gaming and gambling that include direct participation in wagering and/or betting;
• In positions in chemical pest control, warehousing, catalogue/online order distribution centers;
• In positions with traveling fairs or itinerant concessionaires;
• In jobs that do not allow participants to work alongside U.S. citizens and interact regularly with U.S. citizens and to experience U.S. culture during the workday portion of their Summer Work Travel programs;
• With employers that fill non-seasonal or non-temporary job openings with exchange visitors with staggered vacation schedules;
• In positions that require licensing;
• In positions for which there is another specific J visa category (e.g., Camp Counselor, Trainee, Intern);
• Participants must be employees of and paid by the staffing agencies
• Staffing agencies must provide full-time, primary, on-site supervision of the participants
• Staffing agencies must effectively control the work sites, e.g., have hands-on management responsibility for the participants
• After November 1, 2012, in positions in the North American Industry Classification System’s (NAICS) Goods-Producing Industries occupational categories industry sectors 11, 21, 23, 31-33 numbers (set forth at http://www.bls.gov/iag/tgs/iag_index_naics.htm ).

Sponsors must also:

• Use extra caution when placing students in positions at employers in lines of business that are frequently associated with trafficking persons (e.g., modeling agencies, housekeeping, janitorial services);
• Consider the availability of suitable, affordable housing (e.g., that meets local codes and ordinances) and reliable, affordable, and convenient transportation to and from work when making job placements;
• Actively and immediately assist participants with arranging appropriate housing and transportation, if employers do not provide or arrange housing and/or transportation, or if participants decline employer-provided housing or transportation;
• The number of job placements available with host employers
• That host employers will not displace domestic U.S. workers at worksites where they will place program participants
• That host employers have not experienced layoffs in the past 120 days and do not have workers on lockout or on strike

Sponsors may place participants only in jobs that:

• Are seasonal or temporary;
• Provide opportunities for regular communication and interaction with U.S. citizens and allow participants to experience U.S. culture.

Report Abuse or Exploitation

1-866-283-9090

Summer Work Travel Resources

Events SWT Participant Map Community Support Groups Strengthening and Reforming the SWT Program SWT Monitoring Report

Program Sponsors

Sponsors are required to:.

• A copy of the Department of State Summer Work Travel Program Brochure;
• The Department of State’s toll-free emergency hotline telephone number;
• The sponsor’s 24/7 immediate contact telephone number;
• Information advising participants of their obligation to notify their sponsor when they arrive in the United States and to provide information of any change in jobs or residence; and
• Information concerning any contractual obligations related to participants’ acceptance of paid employment in the United States, if pre-arranged.
• Ensure that participants entering the United States without prearranged employment have sufficient financial resources to support themselves during their search for employment;
• Provide such participants with information on how to seek employment and secure lodging in the United States before they depart their home countries; and
• Provide participants with a job directory that includes at least as many job listings as the number of participants in their program who are entering the United States without prearranged employment.
• Sponsors must undertake reasonable efforts to secure suitable employment for participants unable to find jobs on their own after one week;
• Sponsors must inform program participants of Federal Minimum Wage requirements and ensure that, at a minimum, participants are compensated at the prevailing local wage, which must meet the higher of either the applicable state or the Federal minimum wage requirement, including payment for overtime in accordance with state-specific employment; and
• Sponsors must maintain, at a minimum, a monthly schedule of personal contact with the program participants (in-person, by telephone or via-electronic mail), document such contact, and ensure that issues affecting the health, safety and welfare of participants are addressed immediately.

2024 Program Date Chart

2024 Program Date Chart (PDF)

• Summer Work Travel 2024 Season Program Dates by Country (PDF)

Host employers are required to:

• Provide participants the number of hours of paid employment per week as identified on the job offer and agreed to when the sponsor vetted the jobs;
• Pay those participants eligible for overtime worked in accordance with applicable state or federal law;
• Notify sponsors promptly when participants arrive at the work site and begins their programs; when there are any changes or deviations in the job placements during the participants’ programs; when participants are not meeting the requirements of job placements; or when participants leave their position ahead of their planned departure; and
• Contact sponsors immediately in the event of any emergency involving participants or any situation that impacts the health, safety or welfare of participants.

“As an employer of international kids, keep your door open and be proactive in solving their issues.” 

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J-1 Visa Summer Work Travel Program

• At-a-Glance

College and University students enrolled full time and pursuing studies at post-secondary accredited academic institutions located outside the United States come to the United States to share their culture and ideas with people of the United States through temporary work and travel opportunities.

The Summer Work Travel program provides foreign students with an opportunity to live and work in the United States during their summer vacation from college or university to experience and to be exposed to the people and way of life in the United States.

Program Length

Eligibility and application overview.

• 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; and
• Pre-placed in a job prior to entry unless from a visa waiver country.

Participants must first find a  Summer Work Travel Designated Sponsor .

Visit the   J1Visa website  for information on how to apply.  

Program Profile

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Work and Travel in the U.S.

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Spend your summer in the U.S. with Greenheart Exchange’s Work and Travel program.

Designated by the U.S. Department of State as a J-1 visa sponsor, our program allows you to work in a variety of seasonal positions throughout the country for up to 4 months.

Through a heavy emphasis on cultural exchange, our Work and Travel program promotes language exchange, building international friendships, developing cross cultural understanding and so much more!

We offer participants two program options (pending country):

• Self Placement option (SP): You, as the participant, are in charge of finding your own job. Once you have found a position, Greenheart Exchange will need to verify it before the application can be accepted.
• Full Placement option (FP): You, as the participant, are placed with a pre-approved host organization based on your experiences, skills, and availability. This placement can be completed through an in-person interview at an international Job Fair or through a virtual interview with a host organization or Greenheart staff member.

Placement Industries

Participant requirements: Must be a full-time university student from a participating country.

Program length: Up to 4 months with a 30-day travel period after; this varies by country.

Language skills: Must speak English (all participants are screened for English proficiency).

Jobs: Entry level jobs within seasonal industries (examples: server, lifeguard, food service attendant, housekeeping).

Hours: minimum of 32 hours per week.

Cultural opportunities: Greenheart encourages participants to get involved in their host community through volunteering.

Greenheart Exchange requires housing to be arranged prior to your arrival in the U.S. Though this may seem daunting, we are here to help you every step of the way.

Get started on your housing search by viewing this video

Housing Options

• Dormitory: a large bedroom for a number of people in a school or institution; often having shared bathrooms and common areas.
• Shared apartments or condominium: A suite of rooms forming one residence, typically in a building containing a number of these.
• Mobile home or trailer: A house on wheels that is parked in one particular place and used as a permanent living accommodation.
• Hotel/motel/inn/extended stay: A bedroom with a bathroom in a hotel/motel/inn – may include limited services such as refrigerator, microwave, housekeeping services, breakfast, and WIFI.
• Home: A building for human habitation usually shared with a group of people.
• Hostels: A shared or private room with shared bathroom facilities.

Housing Policies

• You must have housing secured at least 30 days prior to your DS-2019 start date.
• Housing should not be located more than 20 miles away from your job placement.
• You must have reliable transportation to and from work.
• You must have your own bed.
• You must have a designated bedroom and bathroom, whether private or shared.
• Rent should be no more than 33% of your monthly gross income.
• Housing must follow all local, state, and federal housing, building, and fire safety codes.

Housing Resources

1) Everything You Need to Know About Moving In: A Housing Checklist

2) Housing in the United States

3) Living in the United States: Housing Expectations

4) Housing Emergencies 101: What to Do

Facebook Live Video Series

1) How to prepare for your housing

2) Housing check-in

3) Roommate Etiquette

4) Cleaning your Housing

5) Housing Emergencies

What is Included in your program fees (all options)?

• One job offer
• DS-2019 form
• Medical insurance
• Virtual orientation (required)
• Greenheart Club (optional)
• 24-hour support of the Greenheart Exchange office

What is NOT included in your program fees?

• Housing fees
• Spending money
• International airfare
• Domestic transportation in the U.S.
• Airport transfers
• Public transportation to/from work

Greenheart is committed to making sure that our participants are safe during their time in the U.S. A big part of that is making sure that everyone is following regulations set by the U.S. Department of State. Below you will find helpful tools to learn more about having a safe program.

Department of State links

• Department of state Regulations:  Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR)
• Welcome Letter and Brochure: The Department of State also provides a letter  Welcome Letter  and  Brochure  for Summer Work Travel participants.
• Summer Work Travel Program: Purpose and Placements  – February 20, 2013
• Summer Work Travel: Program Exclusions  – May 17, 2012
• Summer Work Travel Program: A Cultural Experience  – December 13, 2011

Seasonal and Temporary Employment

Seasonal:  Employment is of a seasonal nature when the required service is tied to a certain time of year by an event or pattern and requires labor levels above and beyond existing worker levels. Summer Work Travel host organizations should generally not hire for all three (summer, winter and spring) seasons, as the intention is that placements are only with businesses that have a seasonal need, so as not to displace Americans. Summer Work Travel host organizations are not to rely on program participants to fill year-round positions, as these positions should be filled by the American workforce.

Temporary:  Employment is of a temporary nature when a host organization’s need for the duties to be performed is a one-time occurrence, a peak-load need, or an intermittent need.

Temporary positions requested by host organizations are considered on a case-by-case basis. The host organization must be able to demonstrate why a temporary position cannot be filled by the American workforce.

Participant Requirements

• Participants must contact Greenheart Exchange immediately upon their arrival to the U.S.
• The arrival check-in must be done no later than 3 days after the arrival date.
• Participants are required to validate their programs upon arrival to the Greenheart Exchange approved host organization, and no later than 7 days after the program start date.
• Participants must also check-in with Greenheart Exchange every 30 days or by the deadlines listed in their Greenheart Online accounts.
• Failure to complete any of these communications may result in a negative SEVIS status, requiring the participant to return home immediately.

Prohibited Placements

*All SWT placements are subject to Greenheart Exchange approval. Jobs not listed herein may still be found inappropriate for the SWT program. Greenheart Exchange reserves the right to prohibit any placement.  In addition to jobs prohibited by the Department of State, Greenheart Exchange prohibits participants from working:

• In positions in kiosks.
• In positions with moving companies.
• In positions with staffing agencies.
• With third-party organizations. The participant must be hired, paid, and directly supervised by the same company.
• With lifeguard companies that have not first completed a Greenheart Exchange questionnaire
• In positions that involve door-to-door or traveling sales.
• In positions where manual labor is the primary focus, requires a high-level of skill, presents safety concerns, and the facilitation of cultural exchange is lacking.
• In positions with tent companies.
• In laundry-only positions, or other positions with extensive periods of time in rotation.
• In positions that require sustained physical contact with other people (e.g. applying henna tattoos).

Prohibited Placements by Location:

Greenheart Exchange no longer allows self-placed placements in:

• The state of North Dakota
• Panhandle Florida (Destin, Panama City Beach)

No positions for any program option are allowed in the areas of:

• Williston, Dickinson, Watford City New Town, North Dakota
• Baltimore, Maryland
• Harrisburg-Hershey, Pennsylvania

Though exceptions have been made in the past, self-placed and full program option placements in Detroit, Michigan are generally prohibited

Conditional Placements by Location:

Placements for full program options in the Gulf Cost Areas of Louisiana, Alabama, and the Florida panhandle from Gulf Shores, Alabama to Mexico Beach, Florida, including Panama City and Destin, will be considered on a case-by-case basis. To be considered by Greenheart Exchange, host organizations in these areas must provide excellent housing and extensive cultural activities for the SWT participants.

The Department of State prohibits Summer Work Travel participants from working:

• In positions with host organizations that fill non-seasonal or non-temporary job openings with participants with staggered vacation schedules.
• In positions that could bring notoriety or disrepute to the Exchange Visitor Program.
• In sales positions that require participants to purchase inventory that they must sell in order to support themselves.
• In domestic help positions in private homes (e.g., child care, elder care, gardener, chauffeur).
• As Pedi cab or rolling chair drivers or operators.
• As operators or drivers of vehicles or vessels for which drivers’ licenses are required regardless of whether they carry passengers or not.
• In positions related to clinical care that involves patient contact.
• In any position in the adult entertainment industry (including, but not limited to jobs with escort services, adult book/video stores, and strip clubs).
• In positions requiring any shift where hours will fall predominantly between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m..
• In positions declared hazardous to youth by the Secretary of Labor at  Subpart E of 29 CFR part 570.
• In positions that require sustained physical contact with other people and/or adherence to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Universal Blood and Body Fluid Precautions guidelines (e.g., body piercing, tattooing, massage, manicure).
• In positions that are substantially commission-based and thus do not guarantee that participants will be paid minimum wage in accordance with federal and state standards.
• In positions involved in gaming and gambling that include direct participation in wagering and/or betting.
• In positions in chemical pest control, warehousing, catalog/online order distribution centers.
• In positions with traveling fairs or itinerant concessionaires.
• In jobs that do not allow participants to work alongside U.S. citizens and interact regularly with U.S. citizens and to experience U.S. culture during the workday portion of their Summer Work Travel programs.
• In positions that require licensing.
• In positions for which there is another specific J category (e.g., camp counselor, intern, trainee).
• After November 1, 2012, in positions in the North American Industry Classification System’s (NAICS) Goods-Producing Industries occupational categories industry sectors 11, 21, 23, 31–33 numbers (set forth at  http://www.bls.gov/iag/tgs/iag_index_naics.htm ).

Participant Check-Ins

• Participants are required to validate their programs upon arrival to Greenheart Exchange approved host organization, and no later than 7 days after the program start date.

The Department of State places an emphasis on the safety, security, and quality of housing for Summer Work Travel participants. The following policies are provided to ensure participants are provided with appropriate housing.

• Housing must follow, at minimum, all local, state, and federal housing, building, and fire safety codes.
• Every participant must have his/her own bed. A bed is defined as a mattress on a bed frame or box spring. Air mattresses or mattresses directly on the floor are not acceptable.
• Participants must have a designated bedroom. Sleeping in a common space such as the living room is not acceptable.
• Employment must not be contingent on the participant living in host organization-provided housing.
• There must be affordable and safe transportation to and from work.
• Participants must submit their housing information to Greenheart Exchange no later than 30 days before their DS-2019 start date.

The following guidelines are provided to help avoid some common issues.

• Provide a lease or rental agreement that clearly define rules and regulations.
• Inform participants about how security deposits are managed.
• Conduct an initial housing inspection with the participant, documenting issues with participants when they arrive.
• Basic amenities, such as grocery store or the bank should be easily accessible from participant housing.
• Housing providers should offer short-term leases for 3 to 4 months.
• Monthly rent should be no more than 33% of a participant’s monthly gross income.

*The above is subject to change based on regulatory updates from the Department of State and changes to internal Greenheart Exchange policies.

If you have any questions, please contact your Greenheart contact toll-free at: 1-866-684-9675.

The U.S. is a wonderful place to explore during your summer! While work is an important component of the Summer Work Travel program , the primary focus is on cultural exchange.

We encourage you to get involved in your local community and experience all that the U.S. has to offer.

Volunteer with Greenheart

We blend service learning and volunteerism into all of our programs, creating a community of compassionate and conscious global citizens. We provide you with volunteer opportunities and even award active volunteers with up to $1,000 in grant money to be used for a service project in your home country.

You can also log your volunteer hours and connect with other participants in our online community during and after your program.

Cultural activities

Becoming involved in your new host community is one of the best ways to get the most out of your exchange experience. Volunteering and attending cultural events are great ways to meet new people, explore your passions, have fun, and build a meaningful connection to your new home.

Within our Greenheart Club , you will find cultural flyers that promote attractions, activities, events, and volunteer opportunities in your area.

Ambassador Scholars

Ambassador Scholars are our participants with an enhanced opportunity for personal growth and professional development.

You can be selected to be an Ambassador Scholar based on your community leadership in your home country. As an Ambassador Scholar, participants must volunteer in their U.S. host communities and document their experiences living and working in the U.S. through a blog or video. Ambassador Scholar’s program costs are reimbursed upon successful completion of your program and scholarship requirements.

Greenheart Global Leaders Conference

Network and collaborate with your international peers from across Greenheart’s cultural exchange programs at the Greenheart Global Leaders Conference. This is your opportunity to challenge your beliefs and think critically about global issues alongside other Greenheart attendees.

During the conference you will:

• Develop leadership skills through site visits and workshops with distinguished governmental, social, and cultural leaders.
• Experience Washington D.C. through guided tours of monuments and memorials, local entertainment, and a service-learning project.
• Gain tools to translate your international experience into a mission-driven life and career.
• Learn how to develop a community-focused service project.

Learn more about our annual conference here: https://greenheart.org/event/gglc/#/scroll/overview

Get involved this summer! Find an exchange event happening near you.

Check out some of our latest blog posts.

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The Summer Work Travel program takes you far!

Do I have symptoms of culture shock?

Work & Travel USA

• Program Overview
• Duration of Program
• Eligibility Requirements
• When Is the Program Available?

The program is designed so that overseas students can become more than tourists, experiencing life in the U.S. first-hand by working alongside U.S. citizens in temporary employment. Not only does this unique opportunity allow for a genuine “U.S. experience,” it helps cover travel expenses!

For a time, the program was offered only in European and Central/South American countries and was introduced in Asia only in the 1990s to countries such as Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand. In Singapore, it officially took root in November 2000 and the program is available now in Malaysia, Australia, and Indonesia as well. A pioneer group of 30 students from Singapore embarked on this adventure in May 2001 through Speedwing and hundreds of other countries' students have participated in this program each year ever since.

Students on the program are employed in summer jobs in famous locations like amusement parks Cedar Point and Six Flags and national parks Yellowstone and Grand Canyon. Upon fulfilling their work agreement, they get to travel around the USA within a stipulated period as part of the program. In this way, they have in many seasons of the program formed meaningful friendships with people from many countries, acquired overseas work experience, and simply gained great memories.

This program is not for students to gain practical training, apply classroom knowledge, complete compulsory work attachment/internship programs unless otherwise stated by their institutions, or seek permanent work opportunities or long-term career in the USA. At the end of the program, all students must return to the country in which they are studying.

• Minimum employment period is 2 to 3 months. Maximum is 4 months.
• Duration of stay in the USA can be up to 5 months (maximum 4 months of employment followed by an optional maximum 30 days of travel within the US).
• Legal work document and visa are generally issued for only the work duration agreed between each participant and the employer. Participants cannot extend work duration when they are already in the USA.
• Participants who are required to return to school can only remain in the USA on the program until the last day of their school vacation and must return in time to start the new semester.
• be at least 18 and not more than 30 years of age
• be a full-time tertiary student in your local university with official semester break OR a final year, final semester student graduating from a full-time course
• Undergo an interview with secure job offer before you can be accepted on the program

Summer Intake

This program is offered in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

In Singapore, Speedwing usually commences recruitment in August/September and organizes a recruitment roadshow in October/November for the program in the following summer.

From 2013 onward, Singapore participants who embark on the Summer Work & Travel USA will have to follow the set date given. No employment can start earlier or end later than this range: May 01 – August 31 (not May 15, effective 2016).

For Malaysia and Indonesia, applications usually commence in October/November with the recruitment roadshow in January/February for the program in the following summer. Participating employers will interview interested candidates at recruitment roadshows (Singapore and Malaysia mostly) or online hiring via SKYPE or Zoom.

From 2013 onward, Malaysia participants who embark on the Summer Work & Travel USA will have to follow the set date given. No employment can start earlier or end later than this range: May 25 – September 15 (not May 15, effective 2016)

Winter Intake This program applies to Malaysia and Australia.

The winter recruitment begins in June/July for one to depart in November/December the same year.

From 2013 onward, Malaysia participants who embark on the Winter Work & Travel USA will have to follow the set date given. No employment can start earlier or end later than this range: November 25 – March 15 (not November 15, effective 2016).

Click here to find out the set dates given by the US Department of State for each country.

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Work and Travel USA 2023

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J-1 Summer Work Travel Program

Starting in 2016, the two largest sponsors of the j-1 summer work travel program in ireland are requiring irish students to have a summer job vetted and approved before traveling to the u.s.  , what the change means.

ACT NOW! Irish J-1 Summer Work Travel participants working through CIEE and InterExchange in the U.S. and USIT and SAYIT Travel in Ireland now must receive a suitable offer of employment by a U.S. employer before they will be issued the documents they need to apply for a visa.

Who Benefits from the Change

By securing a job in advance, you can travel to the U.S. assured you may start working immediately upon arrival, and will be able to focus on experiencing America to its fullest.

How to Find a Job

Talk to friends and family who have already been to the U.S. Many employers in the U.S. are familiar with the J-1 program and are keen to hire students from Ireland. Or sign up for a job fair. USIT or SAYIT Travel and CIEE or InterExchange will offer job fairs in Ireland over the winter months. These jobs are pre-approved by the sponsor and simplify the process even more.

Keep Your Word

You are expected to report to the site of activity listed on your DS-2019 form. Failure to report to your pre-approved job and make a good faith effort to work at the position and honor your work commitment may result in program termination. You must contact your U.S. sponsor before leaving a job. All additional and subsequent jobs must also be vetted by your U.S. sponsor before you begin work.

Acceptable Types of Jobs

All employers hiring J-1 Summer Work Travel participants must demonstrate a seasonal or temporary need for additional staff during the summer season. The positions must be entry level, unskilled, and require minimal training.

Unacceptable Types of Jobs

Certain types of jobs are expressly prohibited. They include:

• Construction/general labor jobs
• Pedi-cab jobs and those requiring operating a motor vehicl
•  Jobs requiring work hours between 2 a.m. and 6 a.m.
• Jobs in a private home (childcare, cleaning, and so on)
• Jobs requiring purchasing of inventory for sale
• Jobs requiring work as an independent contractor.

Please be sure to review the requirements and list of prohibited positions before submitting a job offer.

For Help Finding a Job

For more information and help in identifying potential J-1 summer job opportunities, please contact USIT or SAYIT Travel .

Follow These 4 Simple Steps To Get A Job Approved!

1. Collect a job offer from an employer Once an employer has offered you a position at his or her business, a job offer must be completed.

2. Submit the job offer for review Submit the job offer to your J-1 Agency (USIT or SAYIT Travel). The J-1 Agency will send the job offer to CIEE or InterExchange for vetting.

3. Sponsor verifies position Your U.S. Sponsor will contact the employer to review the job offer details. The employer will need to provide the following documents before the sponsor can approve the position:

• Employer Identification Number (Federal Tax Identification Number)
• Business License
• Workers’ compensation information

Note: Please let potential employers know that your sponsor will be contacting them.

4. Interview for a J-1 visa and travel to the USA If the job offer is approved, your U.S. sponsor will issue a DS-2019 form and a J-1 visa interview can be scheduled with the U.S. embassy. If the job offer is not approved, the sponsor will notify your J-1 Agency.

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Narom Travel Albania

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Work and Travel USA

Kurse gjuhësh

Whether you’re seeking a temporary place to stay upon arrival to the U.S. or during your travel period, you’ll want to make your housing arrangements in advance. We’ve compiled a list of affordable hostels and special discounts in the United States that Narom Travel Albania in cooperation with InterExchange has arranged for program participants. We …

Culture Shock

What is Culture Shock? As a Work & Travel USA participant, you’ll have an incredible opportunity to experience American culture by living and working in the U.S. and interacting with many different people. What you may find surprising is how diverse the United States is! We encourage you to embrace the diversity and make an …

Estimated Costs and Budget

Congratulations on joining the Narom Travel Albania Work & Travel USA program! The majority of our participants spend between $1500 and $2000 throughout their stay in the United States. We suggest participants budget at least $900 to $1200 to cover their initial costs and deposits when they arrive in the U.S., and to cover any …

Your Housing Guide

Once you’ve confirmed that you’ll be visiting the U.S. on our Work & Travel USA program, you’ll need to find a place to live. Make sure you’ve read your job offer agreement closely to understand whether your host employer has arranged housing for you. If your employer doesn’t arrange housing, you’ll be responsible for finding …

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April 24 2024

Latest news releases

Adopt a Highway volunteers remove 42,100 bags of trash from highways in 2023

More than 900 sections of Minnesota highway currently available for adoption statewide ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Department of Transportation thanks the thousands of Adopt a Highway volunteers who help us keep Minnesota roadsides clean and free of litter each year and we invite more people to join this important program.

During 2023, Adopt a Highway volunteers removed more than 42,100 bags of trash from Minnesota highways and rest areas. MnDOT currently works with 2,021 volunteer groups statewide, collectively those groups volunteered almost 100,000 hours to pick up litter for the program. With at least 900 sections currently available for adoption across Minnesota, MnDOT welcomes more groups to volunteer.

Groups who want to volunteer should visit MnDOT’s Adopt a Highway website to connect with their local program coordinator. Volunteers are asked to commit to the Adopt a Highway program for at least two years and should pick up litter from both sides of their roadway section at least twice a year. The average length of an adopted roadway is about two miles. MnDOT posts signs along the adopted segments to recognize the name of volunteer groups.

There are also opportunities to pick-up litter at certain rest areas, or sign-up for a one-day Pick a Highway event.

MnDOT does provide safety information, trash bags and safety vests to every volunteer. Our maintenance crews will pick up the filled bags of trash that volunteers leave along the side of the road. Motorists are encouraged to slow down, move over and use caution whenever they see an Adopt a Highway volunteer group or maintenance crew picking up trash along the roadway.

The Adopt a Highway program has been part of MnDOT’s maintenance operations since 1990.

TSA PreCheck - What You Need to Know and How to Apply (2024)

I f you haven’t heard, TSA PreCheck for kids has gotten easier! We’ve been using it now for several years and see the benefit. I’ve certainly noticed the uptick in passengers using the expedited security lines at the airport. We feel it’s been worth the investment for the amount of time we spend at airports.

But what is TSA PreCheck, and how do you get it? And how does it work with minors, especially with the new policy? I’ll answer all your questions on TSA PreCheck for minors in this post. If you haven’t jumped on the bandwagon yet, here’s what you need to know about TSA PreCheck.

*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something that we have recommended. Please check out our disclosure policy for more details. Thank you for your support!

What is TSA PreCheck?

TSA stands for the Transportation Security Administration. TSA PreCheck is a Trusted Traveler program that allows pre-screened individuals to use special security lanes at US airports, called the TSA PreCheck lanes. It’s a must for frequent travelers.

With your 5-year membership, you’ll enjoy the benefit of avoiding regular security lines and getting to your gate faster! That means you don’t have to remove items such as belts, shoes, and light jackets. You can also leave laptops and travel-sized liquids inside carry-on bags.

Where can I enroll for TSA Precheck?

TSA PreCheck isn’t available at every airport, but it is available at 250 U.S. airports and counting. Click here to find a location near you.

How does the TSA application process work?

The process has a couple of steps. To start, you apply on the TSA website using this form . The whole online application process is fairly self-explanatory. Once it’s complete, you’ll be able to schedule an in-person appointment.

Within 45 days of completing your online pre-enrollment form, you’re required to visit an application center (locations can be found here ).

You will need to provide your biographic information including your name, date of birth, and address. You’ll also be fingerprinted and have your photo taken.

What are the necessary documents for TSA PreCheck?

Wondering what to bring to a TSA PreCheck appointment? You can find out about all the required documents needed for TSA PreCheck here . But it’s pretty straightforward:

• Valid ID : Make sure to bring a government-issued ID, such as a passport, or a driver’s license and birth certificate. Double-check the IDs are not expired.
• Appointment Confirmation : Bring the appointment confirmation with you.
• Payment : You’ll need to pay for your TSA PreCheck application during the appointment. This is good for 5 years.
• Proof of Citizenship/Immigration Status : If you’re not a US citizen, you’ll need to bring the necessary documentation to prove your immigration status or a permanent resident.

The non-refundable application processing fee of $78 can be paid through these acceptable forms of payment:

• credit card
• money order
• certified/cashier’s check

Cash and personal checks aren’t accepted.

What is a KTN?

After completing the application process, successful PreCheck applicants will receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) via US mail in approximately 2-3 weeks.

You may also check the status of your application on the TSA PreCheck website by clicking on “Check My Service Status.”

Once issued, your Known Traveler Number (KTN) is valid for 5 years. You won’t receive a card to carry, but simply a letter with your KTN. Moving forward, you’ll need to provide this number when booking travel reservations.

How to Get TSA Precheck and Global Entry for Free

Several travel credit cards will reimburse your TSA PreCheck fees (and even Global Entry fees). For example, Chase Sapphire Reserve, Delta SkyMiles Platinum American Express Card, and Capital One Venture Card all offer reimbursement via a statement credit for TSA fees.

Now that you have your Known Traveler Number (KTN), what happens next?

When you travel, you’ll want to make sure the airline you’re flying has your KTN in advance. It must be printed on your travel documents. If you belong to a frequent flier program, go on the airline’s website and enter your KTN in their system.

Note that this doesn’t automatically populate every time you book a reservation. So, you’ll want to make sure that it is documented going forward each and every time.

What about TSA Precheck for minors?

So, let’s get to why you’re really here: TSA precheck for kids. It’s pretty straightforward but with a few caveats.

Do children need a TSA PreCheck membership?

Previously, if the whole family wanted to go through TSA PreCheck, those 13 years old and older needed to have their own membership. Thankfully, TSA PreCheck with teens has just gotten easier.

As of May 2023, the TSA PreCheck age has increased to include children of all ages (up to 18 years). That is, as long as they’re accompanied by an eligible parent or guardian. That means your five-year membership applies to all of your kids too!

Just like before, children between 2- and 12-years-old just have to be accompanied by a legal guardian enrolled in the program, no matter what. Kids between 13 and 17 years old just need to be on the same reservation as the accompanying adult.

For teens, just double-check to confirm that the TSA PreCheck indicator shows up on both your boarding pass and your teen’s boarding pass.

This new policy has really streamlined the process since most children don’t have a government photo unless it’s on a passport or a state-issued ID. Our children have passports, so we never had an issue.

Can my child use my TSA PreCheck for international travel?

You can use TSA PreCheck from any participating airlines at over 250 airports across the country, and this includes for international travel.

However, if you’re a frequent traveler abroad, you might want to also consider getting G lobal Entry . You’re eligible if you fly internationally at least 4 times a year. It gives you the benefit of expedited customs when coming back to the US.

As frequent international travelers, we invested in getting each of our kids their own membership, which has a similar policy to TSA Pre-Check.

TSA PreCheck is just one of four Trusted Traveler programs offered by the Department of Homeland Security. To find more information about the other programs such as Global Entry, you can read this comparison chart .

But what about an unaccompanied minor?

All minors traveling without TSA PreCheck-enrolled parents or guardians will need to apply for themselves.

Can I use my TSA PreCheck membership to take my child to their departure gate?

Let’s say your minor is a first-time traveler and you want to take them all the way to their departure gate. First, you’ll need to pick up a gate pass at the ticket counter when you arrive at the airport. But something to keep in mind is that gate passes cancel out TSA PreCheck benefits.

So, even if you’re a gate pass holder with your own TSA PreCheck membership, you’ll have to go through standard security lines. Your child will be able to go through TSA PreCheck screening, but you’ll still have to go through standard security screening.

Have you thought about TSA PreCheck for kids? Do you think it’s worth it?

So, now you know all the details about the updated policy on TSA PreCheck for kids and how to get your own membership. You’ll love the TSA PreCheck benefits! A faster precheck line means less of a headache on your way to your family vacation.

Especially during a busy summer season, the last thing you and your kids want to worry about is congested airport security checkpoints! As TSA PreCheck passengers, you can skip the frustration of standard screening and get right to enjoying your travels!

If you still have more questions, you can find a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers here: T SA PreCheck SaveSave

Can using VPN save you money on hotels, car rentals? I tested it out.

As I planned a trip to Mexico for this summer, my search for a bargain took me over the border without ever leaving my desk.

A recent study commissioned by cybersecurity company NordVPN found that U.S. travelers were being charged significantly more than those overseas for accommodations and rental cars.

"There's no need to overpay for a holiday abroad," the company said in a blog post about the research. "Using a VPN can save you a lot of money – and it's easy to get started."

Perennially drawn to finding a deal with minimal effort, I used that approach to plan three hypothetical trips and put the strategy to the test. Here's what I learned by using two different VPN services.

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Can you find travel deals by using a VPN?

NordVPN researchers found some major price differences when booking travel in the U.S. versus using a VPN, a virtual private network  that hides your IP address and physical location.

A two-week stay for a family of four at Zoetry Casa del Mar Los Cabos in Mexico, for instance, was priced at $84,929 on Hotels.com when booking in the U.S., but just $27,514 when using a VPN set in Mexico, according to the blog post.

In another case, renting a Peugeot 5008 from Budget – via Expedia – at London's Gatwick Airport for a little over a week costs $2,157.32 in the U.S. compared to $1,166.33 using a VPN set to the United Kingdom.

But the searches didn't strictly yield deals. "When conducting the research, there were cases when prices offered to consumers in different countries were similar," the company said in a news release.

In my own hunt for bargains using NordVPN, I came up mostly empty-handed. I compared hotel and rental car bookings in Mexico, the U.K. and Italy to U.S.-based prices and most were almost identical regardless of my virtual country of origin.

A June weekend stay at Fairfield Inn Los Cabos ran $334 via Hotels.com in the U.S. for one room, for example, and just a few cents more with my location set to Mexico, while renting a Chevrolet Aveo or similar car from Hertz in Mexico City cost about $49.50 per day in both cases.

Story continues below.

My luck didn't turn around across the pond, either: The Westin London City cost me $948 in the U.S. and about $949.50 with my location set to the U.K. In one case, the U.S. price was noticeably cheaper: when I priced out a rental car from Budget at London's Heathrow Airport, I stood to pay $278.82 in the U.S. and $364.65 with the help of a VPN set to the United Kingdom.

I did find one deal on a Fiat Panda 1.2 – or similar-sized vehicle – at Leonardo da Vinci-Fiumicino Airport in Rome from Sicily by Car via Expedia. The U.S. price was $146 compared to $101.98 when I set my location to Italy.

I tried the same approach the next day using another VPN service, ExpressVPN, but got similar results.

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"Typically, you can find great deals by looking at local sites (in the place) you are traveling to, but it's not always consistent and other locations can sometimes present a cheaper price, so it does take trial and error to hunt down the best price," Lauren Hendry Parsons, ExpressVPN privacy advocate and global head of communications, told USA TODAY in an email.

A spokesperson for Expedia Group – which operates Expedia and Hotels.com, among others – said the company did not have any information to add. Hertz and Avis Budget Group did not respond to USA TODAY's request for comment.

Can you get cheaper flights by using VPN?

While NordVPN's study didn't include flights, I went ahead and checked fares from New York to each country, too.

The lowest fares were about the same in most cases, but I found a slight price difference on round-trip flights from John F. Kennedy International Airport to Mexico City, which would have cost me $602 booking in the U.S., but the same itinerary was around $586 with the VPN set to Mexico (the same was true with both NordVPN and ExpressVPN).

Does using a VPN to book travel work?

It depends. Different rate structures can be applied to different distribution channels and geography, according to Robert Cole, Senior Research Analyst, Lodging and Leisure Travel at Phocuswright.

A hotel might give a third-party booking site a cheaper rate but request that the site only list that price in a specific place, for example.

"They go, 'That's great, but do not sell that in the U.S.,'" Cole said. "You know, 'We are Miami Beach resort or we're a resort in Cancun (or) the Dominican Republic, we want German business.'"

Prices can vary on a host of other factors, too, including timing and availability, he said, and the best deal for a given booking may be on a U.S. site. A website might also require travelers to provide a home address or, in the case of rental cars, a driver's license from that country in order to access a given rate, Cole added.

He recommended proceeding with caution, particularly if you are booking with a foreign site you aren't familiar with, where help may be hard to track down if a problem occurs.

"My words of warning are, yes, you can do it, but that you have to be very careful knowing who you're dealing with," Cole added. "So, it's very much traveler beware."

Is using a VPN to book travel worth it?

My largely fruitless bargain hunt may have been due to bad luck, or perhaps travelers looking to find the kinds of deals NordVPN researchers did have to exercise more patience.

And while I may not have saved much on the hypothetical trips, the experiment did cost me money. I paid just over $14 for a one-month NordVPN subscription and nearly $13 for a monthly subscription to ExpressVPN.

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Along the way, I ran into roadblocks, too.

After checking prices on hotels and rental cars in Mexico, I clicked my way to the U.K., but Hotels.com repeatedly asked me to prove I was not a robot by choosing the penguin in a series of graphics. Several attempts later, the site would not let me out of penguin jail and I switched over to Expedia.

Marijus Briedis, Chief Technology Officer at NordVPN, said in an email that its researchers ran into the bot identification issue and fixed it "by effectively disconnecting from the VPN, clearing the browsing data/cache/cookies etc and then going into the site again."

Parsons also said banks and credit card companies have varying policies regarding international transaction fees. "So if a person were to make a purchase in a currency outside their home market it would depend on the terms and conditions of the bank or credit card company they use whether they would be charged a transaction fee for this purchase or not," she said.

As he put it, when it comes to using a VPN to book travel, there are "inherent risks that may not be worth the potential reward."

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

Vaccines Protect Moms And Babies From Maternal And Neonatal Tetanus In Mali

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In 2023, the World Health Organization announced that Mali had successfully eliminated maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT), an excruciating disease that kills tens of thousands of infants every year. One mother shares how the tragic loss of her newborn son led her to become an advocate, encouraging all women of child-bearing age to get vaccinated to protect the health of their future children.

After losing her newborn son to tetanus, Aissata got the tetanus vaccine to protect herself and any future children, and began working as a community mobilizer encouraging other women of child-bearing age to get vaccinated.

By Fatou Diagne

Tetanus is vaccine-preventable, yet it kills tens of thousands of infants worldwide every year

The dawn was slowly rising over the village of Abaradjou in the health district of Sankoré in Mali's Tombouctou region. Once flourishing, the region was struggling with maternal and neonatal tetanus (MNT) , an acute infectious disease that threatens the survival of mothers and their infants.

Caused by a bacterium found in the soil and in animal droppings, MNT results from the contamination of the umbilical stump during unhygienic cord care at childbirth. Symptoms usually occur from the third day in a newborn who was normal and suddenly becomes rigid, presenting with uncontrollable convulsions and muscle spasms. Without medical care, the mortality rate is nearly 100 percent.

Kadidia Cissé, a midwife at the Bellafarandi community health center in Mali, prepares a dose of the tetanus vaccine for a waiting patient.

Unsafe birth practices threaten the lives of newborns

In this neighborhood, as elsewhere in Mali, deliveries were often performed by traditional midwives, using contaminated equipment. This practice, coupled with adherence to ancient rituals, unfortunately made tetanus contamination all too common during deliveries.

Aissata, a resident of Abaradjou, was determined to change her fate. Having already lost a baby to this disease, she resolved not to let history repeat itself.

“They did everything they could, but the baby passed away. The doctor explained to me that it was tetanus and that if I had been vaccinated during pregnancy, it could have saved my baby. Losing a child is terrible and I wouldn't wish it on any parent.” Aissata, 46-year-old mother in Mali

"I gave birth at home assisted by a grandmother," says Aissata. "A few days later, the baby couldn’t breastfeed, and his condition was getting worse. So, I took him to the health center. They did everything they could, but the baby passed away. The doctor explained to me that it was tetanus and that if I had been vaccinated during pregnancy, it could have saved my baby. Losing a child is terrible and I wouldn't wish it on any parent."

Aware of the risks, Aissata sought out information and learned from a women's group in her village about a new initiative by the Malian government, with support from UNICEF and WHO, targeting the elimination of maternal and neonatal tetanus. Inspired by the possibility of a different ending for her story, Aissata decided to actively protect any future pregnancies by getting the tetanus vaccine.

From time to time, 46-year-old Aissata (in red) raises awareness among the women in her neighborhood of the importance of tetanus vaccination so that they can avoid the terrible loss she experienced.

Spreading the word from one mother to another: tetanus vaccines work

The very next day, as if in answer to her determination, an advanced strategy team arrived by motorcycle in Aissata’s village to administer the tetanus vaccine to all women of reproductive age (pregnant or not). Aissata was among the first to receive her dose and made the significant choice to travel to the Sankoré community health center for the remaining doses of the vaccine. The road was long and arduous, but the hope of a better outcome for her future pregnancies sustained her.

"Today I am talking about my story to the women in my village and I am telling them to get vaccinated against tetanus and to have check-ups during pregnancy. When I talk about my story, some tell me that they have also lost babies following home births." recounts Aissata, after finishing an educational talk with other women from her village.

“Today I am talking about my story to the women in my village and I am telling them to get vaccinated against tetanus and to have check-ups during pregnancy.” Aissata

In 2023, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced that Mali had officially eliminated maternal and neonatal tetanus, a major advance for public health in a country where maternal and infant mortality rates are among the highest in the world. This status was confirmed following a detailed evaluation, which demonstrated that Mali meets WHO's standard of having less than one case of neonatal tetanus per 1,000 live births in each of its health districts.

Holding a book of illustrations, Kadidia Cissé, a midwife in Mali, raises awareness of the importance of tetanus vaccination among pregnant women and women of child-bearing age.

A comprehensive strategy to strengthen vaccine delivery systems

Mali's significant milestone is a testament to the collective efforts of the country and its partners, including UNICEF. A comprehensive strategy to strengthen systematic vaccination played a pivotal role. Health centers across Mali were equipped with solar refrigerators to store vaccines efficiently, and provided with motorcycles and vehicles to facilitate the delivery of vaccination services.

Vaccinations were administered through a well-organized approach: at health facilities for fixed strategies, by motorcycle for areas located between 5 and 15 kilometers away, and through mobile clinics for communities more than 15 kilometers from a health facility.

Djouma Keidalla, an obstetrician at the Sankoré community health center, carries a cooler containing tetanus vaccines in the village of Bakaiwait, Mali.

Health worker training reduces the risk of tetanus contamination

From 2002, Mali embarked on several vaccination campaigns against tetanus, adopting fixed, advanced and mobile strategies. These efforts were significantly supported by financial contributions from the United States, underscoring the global commitment to combatting MNT. The vaccination program proved to be a lifeline for thousands of women, including Aissata.

Childbirth practices in Mali also saw remarkable improvements through the gradual introduction of qualified personnel including gynecologist-obstetricians, midwives and obstetric nurses into health centers and district hospitals. This initiative was supported by the state and partners like the World Bank to enhance the quality of maternal care.

Traditional midwives, integral to many communities, received training on essential hygiene practices to further reduce the risk of tetanus contamination. The training emphasized the importance of maintaining clean surfaces, hands and clothes during childbirth, using a new blade for umbilical cord cutting, applying chlorhexidine for cord care and avoiding the application of potentially harmful substances on the umbilical wound. Through these comprehensive measures, Mali has made significant strides in safeguarding the health of mothers and newborns against tetanus.

“These practices have saved millions of women of childbearing age and newborns while protecting them against tetanus,” explains Dr. Moumini Guindo, a physician at the Sankoré community health center.

Aissata (in red) and her children sit outside their house in the family yard in the village of Abaradjou, Mali.

MNT has been eliminated in all but 11 countries

Aissata's determination and resilience are a symbol of the possibility of change and the power of taking proactive steps towards health and safety. In this region of Mali, her fight against MNT, marked by courage and transformation, serves as an inspiration for many women — a new dawn for an era of health awareness and empowerment in the community.

UNICEF has immunized millions of women all over the globe, with support from partners like Kiwanis International and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints , in an effort to eliminate tetanus in dozens of countries. As of December 2023, MNT remains endemic in just 11 countries .

Give a UNICEF Inspired Gift that helps UNICEF deliver vaccines to protect children from deadly diseases.

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