FAQ

What is meant by program validation?
As foreign national enters the United States to participate in an exchange visitor program, You must report to us so that our officials can record his/her arrival in SEVIS, validating their active participation in exchange visitor program. When this is done, the participant's SEVIS record is changed from Initial status (awaiting arrival) to Active status (arrived and reported to sponsor). Failure to report to us upon arrival in the United States will jeopardize your valid program visa status.

Can I change my place of employment during my participation in an exchange visitor program?
Whether you can change your place of employment during your exchange program depends on the contract or arrangements you made with us or the potential employer. Some pre-arranged employment conditions will not permit a change of employment. If you change employment without authorization of us, your exchange visitor program will be terminated. A participant whose program is terminated must leave the U.S. immediately. Failure to comply can create legal difficulties for the participant that will affect his or her further ability to travel, study or work in the United States at any time in the future.

Who do I contact if I have questions or concerns or need information concerning my exchange visitor program?
If you have questions about your participation in the Summer Work/Travel program, contact us sponsor. We are responsible for your stay in the United States and will assist you as appropriate.

May participants work beyond the program end date if they enter the United States after the start date printed on the Form DS-2019?
Should participants enter the United States after the start date stated on their Form DS-2019, we may adjust the program begin and end dates prior to validation of a participant's record in SEVIS.
NOTE: Keep in mind that this period must not extend beyond the student's summer vacation, and the first day of the following term at the college or university at which the student is enrolled for courses.

What is the 30-day Grace Period?
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provides all J-1 program participants a 30-day travel status period following the completion of their program. This period is NOT included in the program dates entered on the Form DS-2019. The grace period allows participants to travel domestically and/or to prepare for and depart from the United States. It is not to be used for any other purpose. Program participants who travel beyond the boundaries of the United States during the grace period may not be permitted by DHS to re-enter the United States as they are no longer in valid J-1 status during this time. Employment is prohibited during this grace period.

Is a student who has finished their course work, but who has not yet formally graduated, eligible for this program?
A student who has finished his/her course work but has not yet formally graduated is not eligible for the program unless they can demonstrate enrollment in another degree program or otherwise demonstrate that they return bona fide student status of their academic institution.

Are students attending vocational schools eligible for participation in this program?
Students attending a vocational school are not eligible to participate in the Summer Work/Travel program unless they can demonstrate that their study will ultimately lead to a degree from an accredited post-secondary institution.

Are Summer Work/Travel program participants required to have medical insurance?
Yes. In fact, all exchange visitors, regardless of their program category, are required to have medical insurance. We shall require each exchange visitor to have insurance in effect that covers the exchange visitor for sickness or accident during the entire period of time that an exchange visitor participates in our exchange visitor program. (The period of time identified on the Form DS-2019.) Minimum coverage shall provide:
The insurance policy, plan, or contract secured to fulfill the above requirements must meet other standards specified in the Exchange Visitor Program regulations.

What information should program participants receive before they leave for the United States? (Pre-arrival Information)
The following information must be provided to participants who have secured employment (are pre-placed/pre-arranged) before their departure for the United States:
The name and location of the employer
Any contractual obligations related to acceptance of paid employment in the United States. (This should include such information as the dates of employment, the number of hours of work weekly, over time requirement/pay, hourly salary, work hours, whether housing is included by the employer, and at what cost, etc.)

The following information must be provided to participants without pre-placed/pre-arranged employment. Items 1 and 2 must be provided prior to their departure for the United States. Item 3 may be given to participants when they arrive (i.e., at the orientation session) in the United States.
How to seek employment in the United States

How to secure lodging in the United States
ALL participants are to receive the following information before their departure for the United States:
The purpose of the Exchange Visitor Program
Home-country physical presence requirement
Travel and entry into the United States
Housing
Fees payable to us
Other costs that the exchange visitor will likely incur (e.g., living expenses) while in the United States
Health Care and insurance
Other information that will assist exchange visitors to prepare for their stay in the United States

What information is included in the orientation session? (Orientation)
Exchange Visitor Program regulations require us to offer appropriate orientation for all exchange visitors. Orientation shall include, but not be limited to, information on:
Life and customs in the United States
Local community resources (e.g., public transportation, medical centers, schools, libraries, recreation centers, and banks) to the extent possible
Available health care, emergency assistance, and insurance coverage
A description of the program in which the exchange visitor is participating
Rules that the exchange visitors are required to follow
Address of the sponsor and the name and telephone number of the Responsible Officer
Address and telephone number of the Office of Exchange Coordination and Designation; and
A copy of the Exchange Visitor Program brochure outlining the regulations relevant to the exchange visitor.

How are participants remunerated?
Summer Work/Travel participants are to receive the same pay and benefits as U.S. citizens in the same or similar positions. Information about the Federal Minimum Wage requirements should be provided by us prior to acceptance in the program.

Are participants monitored?
Yes. We are required to ensure that the activity in which our participants are engaged is consistent with the category and activity listed on the exchange visitor's Form DS-2019. We are also to monitor the progress and welfare of their participants, as well as maintain their current U.S. addresses and telephone numbers.
We must also provide to all participants telephone numbers through which they may have 24-hour immediate contact with the sponsor organization/officials. We are also required to provide appropriate assistance to program participants on an as-needed emergency basis.