Visas
Summer Work and Travel: FY 2010
Background:
The Summer Work & Travel Exchange Program is designed as a postsecondary program where foreign students have the opportunity to work and travel in the United States for a four month period during their summer vacation. The program authorizes students to work to ensure that they have sufficient funds to pay for food and housing in the United States, while gaining exposure to life in America and improving English language skills. It is expected that students who participate in this program come to the United States to work. Students are expected to have sufficient funds to cover their initial living expenses in the U.S. until they start working.
There are no set guidelines for the amount of time a student should spend working versus the amount of time spent traveling. There is no formula for how long participants can be without work. If a student only wants to travel in the United States during the four months, then the Summer Work & Travel Program is not the appropriate category. In this case, the student would need to apply for a tourist visa (B-2 visa).
For more information about the Summer Work & Travel Program, please visit: http://exchanges.state.gov/jexchanges/programs/swt.html.
A list of frequently asked questions can also be found at: http://exchanges.state.gov/jexchanges/private/swt_faq.html
Procedural Guidelines for FY2010:
- There is no requirement for students interested in the Summer Work & Travel Program to make arrangements through a local Russian agent. We will consider all applications equally regardless if the applicant is applying independently or through a local Russian agent. For a listing of U.S.-based sponsors, please see: http://eca.state.gov/jexchanges/index.cfm?fuseaction=record.list&cat=12
- It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that their on-line application is completed accurately. All applicants must complete the on-line DS-160 application, which can be located at: http://moscow.usembassy.gov/niv-ds160info.html . (Be certain to indicate that you are applying for a Student/Exchange Visitor Visa.)
- Applicants for SWT must also pay their on-line SEVIS fee at: www.FMJfee.com. For more information about SEVIS please visit: http://exchanges.state.gov/jexchanges/sevis.html and http://www.ice.gov/sevis/factsheet/090104_fs.htm
- The applicant or their designated agent will pay the application fee and schedule an appointment via the local courier service, Pony Express. Pony Express will also be responsible for returning passports and other documents.
- Local agencies that wish to be listed on the U.S. Embassy Moscow website as agencies assisting applicants on SWT may complete the on-line questionnaire located at: http://moscow.usembassy.gov/swt-newagency.html. Local agencies wishing to provide updated information on their services may also complete the same questionnaire.
Updates on the SWT 2010 program will be posted at: http://moscow.usembassy.gov/nivswt.html . To register for updates via email please send an email to: SWTInqMos@state.gov.
