Work & Travel USA FAQ's for Seasonal Staff
Q. What am I allowed to do during my time off?
Q. Can I get more than one job?
Q. What if I have not received my Social Security card?
Q. What should I do if I lose my passport or other documents?
Q. Do I have to register in SEVIS?
Q. If I change my address, do I need to register my new address in SEVIS?
Q. What if I don’t like my job or have problems with my employer?
Q. What if I’m injured on the job?
Q. What if I want to stay and work past the dates on the DS-2019 form?
Q. What if I would like to work longer than my commitment date, but there is not a position with my current employer?
Q. How do I book my flight home? How do I change my flight?
Q. What should I do if I want to participate in the InterExchange Work & Travel USA program again?
Q. What am I allowed to do during my time off?
A. You are allowed to do what you like with your free time, provided you obey U.S. laws and Work & Travel USA Program rules. There may also be additional rules for your employee housing that you must follow.
Q. Can I get more than one job?
A. Yes, you are allowed to work at more than one job on the Work & Travel USA Program. Please remember that your primary commitment is to your first employer.
Q. What if I have not received my Social Security card?
A. If six weeks have passed and you have not received your card, call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. Have your Social Security receipt ready. If you have additional questions, contact InterExchange.
Q. What should I do if I lose my passport or other documents?
A. If you lose your passport or visa, contact your embassy or consulate as soon as possible so that they can assist you in obtaining new documents. A list of embassies and consulates is included in your Inside the USA guide.
If you lose your DS-2019 form, please contact InterExchange during regular office hours (9:30 – 5:30 Eastern Time), and we will provide you with a replacement for a $10 fee (not including cost of shipping).
If you lose your I-94 Admission/Departure Card, you will need to contact the Bureau of Immigration of Citizenship Services to apply for a replacement card.
If you lose your Social Security card, you do not need to replace it as long as you know your Social Security number or have a photocopy of the card. If you would like a replacement card, contact the Social Security Administration.
Q. Do I have to register in SEVIS?
A. You MUST register in SEVIS within 10 days of your arrival into the United States. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security requires registration. If you do not register in SEVIS you could be subject to arrest or deportation.
Q. If I change my address, do I need to register my new address in SEVIS?
A. Yes. Every time you change your address you should register your new work address and your physical address on our Web site or over the phone. No P.O. Box addresses should be entered.
Q. What if I don’t like my job or have problems with my employer?
A. First, talk with your employer. Often, problems are a result of miscommunication. If you are unable to resolve the problem, you must call InterExchange for assistance.
Q. What if I’m injured on the job?
A. All job-related injuries are covered by Worker’s Compensation. Your employer should refer to their Worker’s Compensation insurance policy.
Q. What if I want to stay and work past the dates on the DS-2019 form?
A. You are only allowed to work during the dates that are listed on part 3 of your DS-2019 form. Under no circumstances can the dates or your J-1 visa be extended. You are allowed to stay in the U.S. and travel for 30 days after the dates listed on part 3 of your DS-2019, but you are not allowed to work during this time. If you have any questions regarding the dates you can work, or the dates you can stay in the U.S., please call InterExchange at 1-800-621-1202.
Q. What if I would like to work longer than my commitment date, but there is not a position with my current employer?
A. Please call InterExchange Work & Travel USA at 1-800-621-1202. We will try to match you with another employer who is looking for staff. Please note that, in most cases, employers will only hire students who are able to work for at least three weeks.
Q. How do I book my flight home? How do I change my flight?
A. In general, you should contact your airline directly for flight changes and availability. In some cases you might have special instructions on how to book or change your ticket that were provided to you by our partner in your home country. Please refer to your program materials that were given to you before departure. The Inside the USA guide has a list of airline phone numbers and Web addresses. InterExchange cannot book tickets and does not have your flight information on file.
Q. What should I do if I want to participate in the InterExchange Work & Travel USA program again?
A. We welcome returning participants! As long as you will still be a qualified full-time university student, you can apply to participate again. Once you return home, contact our partner organization to apply for our Self-Arranged Program. There is a simple application to complete. Additionally, you will need an employment agreement or employment offer letter from your employer or a new employer.
