12 months Work & Travel
Our 12 months Work and Travel program in the United States provides paid working holiday opportunities for you to work as well as travel and experience daily life in the U.S. for up to a year. We intend that your work & travel (working holiday) opportunities in the U.S. will contribute to your lifelong personal and professional growth.
Throughout your work and travel visit to the U.S. we are here to help you with any questions and concerns you may have, as well as during the application process leading up to your arrival in America. We look forward to hearing from you at any time!
Benefits
Eligibility
You must:
- Be an Australian or New Zealand citizen
- Be a full-time student enrolled at a university or a technical education provider, such as TAFE in Australia (minimum Diploma level course of 2 years duration);
- Be able to travel to Sydney or Melbourne for an in person interview
- Have completed your first full year of studies, or
- Have graduated from such an Institution within the past 12 months
- Agree to abide by the program rules
- Have a minimum of $975 (US dollars) available in order to support yourself upon arrival in the US
Where can I work?
You can work in just about any paid job available in the US for up to 12 months, which doesn't need to be related to your studies. You can have one job or many jobs, part or full time. Some restrictions apply: participants may not be employed as domestic employees in U.S. households or in positions that require them to invest their own money to provide themselves with inventory for the purpose of door-to-door sales. You are also not allowed to work as a nanny,camp counselor, adult entertainment industry jobs, pedicab driver, as a crew member on ships or airplanes as an airplane pilot.
When can I go?
You can start any time of the year, once in a lifetime.
Can I extend my visa?
No. It is NOT possible to extend your visa.
Do I need a pre-arranged job?
No, you don't need a pre-arranged job. You can find a job upon arrival.
Can I change jobs?
Yes. This is a very flexible program where you can have more than one job and the job you get doesn't have to be related to your studies.
Are participants monitored?
Sponsors are required to ensure that the activity in which their participants are engaged is consistent with the category and activity listed on the exchange visitor's Form DS-2019. Sponsors are also to monitor the progress and welfare of their participants, as well as maintain their current addresses and telephone numbers.
Sponsors must provide to all participants telephone numbers through which they may have 24-hour immediate contact with their organization. Sponsors also are required to provide appropriate assistance to program participants on an as-needed emergency basis.
Am I required to have medical insurance?
Yes. All J-1 visa participants are required to have a medical insurance. The medical insurance for the 12 month W&T program is included in your fee.
What visa will I need to apply for?
You will need to apply for the J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa. For more information, read http://canberra.usembassy.gov/student_work_travel_pilot_prog.html
Program Fees 2011
US1,600 including 12 month medical insurance.
SEVIS fee, visa application fee and visa issuance fee charged by US Consulate are not included in the program fee. For more information on visa fees, click here.