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The Student Work and Travel Pilot Program
In General
The Student Work and Travel pilot program, which went into effect on October 31, 2007, will allow American and Australian post-secondary students and recent graduates from post-secondary schools to work and travel in Australia or the United States, respectively, for up to 12 months.
With record numbers of students participating in exchange programs, this pilot program will provide students a way to support themselves while exploring another culture.
As of June 2008, 133 applicants have begun the Pilot Program and this number continues to grow on a daily basis. The U.S. Exchange Organizations are actively seeking Student Work and Travel Participants and would encourage anyone considering the program to contact them immediately to begin the process.
The Student Work and Travel program is based on the existing Summer Work and Travel Program, which consists of programs approved by the U.S. Department of State to place people into certain firms and institutions for on-the-job training. Before applying for an exchange visitor visa, you must have been accepted into an approved program. Evidence of your acceptance is the form DS-2019 sent directly to you by the U.S. sponsor. For further information regarding the exchange visitor visa, please consult our exchange program page.
In addition to the existing requirements for exchange visitors, participants coming to the United States on the Student Work and Travel program should also meet the following requirements:
- Be a citizen of Australia;
- Be a bona fide post-secondary student or recent graduate, and provide evidence from post-secondary institution to this effect; and
- Not be accompanied by dependents.
The initial visa may be valid for up to twelve months from the date of issuance, and participants will generally be granted permission to remain in the United States for the entire duration of their status as a program participant.
Unlike other exchange visas, participants in the Student Work and Travel program are not required to return home in time for the academic school year to begin, and qualified post-secondary students can enter the United States at any time. Sponsoring organizations are not required to pre-arrange employment for individual Australian travelers under this program, provided the organization achieves the 50 percent placement requirements across all summer work and travel programs they conduct.
For further information regarding this program, please consult the Department of State’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs’ website.
Applying for the Visa
See Applying for a Non-Immigrant Visa for instructions on how and where to submit your application.
Your application must include the following:
- Original, complete and signed Form DS-2019
- Completed Non-Immigrant Visa Application Form DS-156, signed and with recent photograph attached
- Completed Supplemental Non-Immigrant Visa Application Form DS-157 if you are male age 16-45 inclusive
- Valid passport
- Completed Contact Information and Work History Form DS-158
- If applicable, evidence of financial resources to cover expenses while in the U.S.
- Receipt of payment of non-refundable application fee, paid at Australia Post
- Payment of issuance fee (see below)
- SEVIS I901 fee information
In addition to the above items, you may be asked to present evidence and documents that establish your purpose and qualifications. You may be asked to submit documentation of a residence abroad to which you will return after your visit to the U.S.
Fees
There are three parts to the non-immigrant student visa fee: the application fee, the issuance fee and the Sevis fee. See our page on fee information.
Application Forms
- Download Non-Immigrant Visa Application Form (DS-156)
- Download Supplemental Non-Immigrant Visa Form (DS-157)
- Download Contact Information and Work History Form (DS-158)
FAQ
For further information on the Student Work and Travel pilot program, please visit our FAQ page.
Last update Thursday, 17 July 2008
