Background
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 the people and way of life in the United States.
Participants in the program must be post-secondary school students in an educational institution outside the United States who have completed at least one semester or equivalent of post-secondary academic study. Additionally, they must possess sufficient proficiency in English and must be pre-placed in a job prior to entry unless from a visa waiver country. Applicants bearing Filipino passports must be pre-placed in a job prior to entry. U.S. based exchange visitor sponsors will issue form DS-2019 once they accept applicants into their program.
Participants may work for up to four months during the period May 15 – October 01 and are generally allowed a grace period (usually 30 days) to travel in the United States after the end of the exchange program. Summer Work Travel is not for visitors who only want to travel in the United States; to enter the United States as a tourist the correct visa category is B-2.
For more information about the Summer Work Travel program, please click here.
Know Your Rights
All program participants must read and understand the Wilberforce Act pamphlet (PDF 3MB) which explains the rights they have while in the United States. During the visa interview the Consular Officer will verify that applicants know and understand their rights under the Wilberforce Act.
How to Apply
- Applicants to the program need to submit a valid DS-2019 form from a U.S. based sponsor. A list of the U.S. based sponsors can be located by clicking on “Find a Program Sponsor.”
- It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that their online application (DS-160) is completed accurately. In addition to the online application form applicants must pay the SEVIS fee, MRV fee, and bring the original DS-2019 form to the interview.
- Applicants for the Summer Work & Travel Program must pay the SEVIS fee online at least 72 hours in advance of appointment date.
In the United States
- Once entering the United States, students can stay for up to four months, during which time they may spend up to one month traveling. When the program ends, students are expected to return home and continue their studies.
- Income earned by Summer Work and Travel Program participants in the U.S. will be taxed, but applicants can apply for a refund upon return to the Philippines.