Q.1. What is Work and Travel?

A. It is a US Department of State authorized cultural exchange program that allows international students to work and travel in the USA under a US J-1 sponsor visa during their summer school vacation. 

Q.2. Who is eligible for Work & Travel USA administered by Zip Travel?

A. Full-time University students in their 2nd or 3rd year in college in the Philippines are eligible. The  applicants must be at least 18 and not more than 28 years of age and have  at least conversational level of English.

Q.3. How long is the Work and Travel Program?

A. This is a 3 to 4 month summer program, usually from March to June every year for Filipino students. The DS 2019 Form defines the start and end dates of the program. 

 Q.4. How many hours do I work a week?

A. Approximately 30 to 40 hours per week. Some are allowed to work beyond the 40 hours when possible and if the US employer is satisfied with their performance. However, working hours is usually subject to weather conditions and tourist turnout due to the nature of the businesses.

 In some cases, students are allowed a second job.

 Q.5. Do I get paid? How much money will I make?  How often am I paid?

A. The pay can range from $7.25 per hour to $9.00 per hour depending on the position, Host Company and location.  Some companies allow students to work overtime . Students are usually paid every 2 weeks, though some US employers may choose to pay every week.

 Q.6. Where will I be placed?   Who will be my Host Company? What will be the positions?

A. The US employers are mainly from the hospitality and service industry, such as theme parks, national parks, hotel chains, convenience store chains, famous restaurants, swimming clubs, country clubs and travel plazas. These are situated in the suburbs or outside the major cities and in tourist destinations.

Q.7. How much does the program cost?  When are the fees due?

A. Total costs and schedule of payments will be discussed by the Zip Travel representative.  A deposit is required upon submission of initial application. Balance of all the fees is due prior to the issuance of DS 2019 Form.

Q.8. What is the type of Visa that I will apply for?

A. The applicant will apply for a J1 visa, otherwise classified as the Cultural Exchange Visitor’s Visa.

 Q.9. What do I get for my fee?

·  Guaranteed Placement prior to arrival in the U.S

·  Documentation Assistance

·  Briefing for Embassy Interview

·  Pre-departure and Post-Arrival orientation

·  Free use of USA Direct office phone

·  Help coordinate tax refunds upon return from Philippines

·  Health and Travel Insurance

·  Housing Assistance

·  J-1 Visa Application (issuance of  DS2019 by the U.S. Department of State)

·  Paid experience

 Q.10. If I am an international foreign student, can I apply for this program and what are the chances of being accepted?

A. Yes, you can apply for Work & Travel USA as long as you meet the eligibility requirements outlined above.

Q 11. When is the registration of the Work and Travel Program?

A. For the spring program, registration period is usually between June and December for work in the following summer. 

Q 12. Who are the US employers that I am going to work with?

A. The US employers are mainly from the hospitality and service industry, such as theme parks, national parks, hotel chains, convenience store chains, famous restaurants, swimming clubs and travel plazas

Q 13. Can I choose which US employer to work with?

 A. Yes, during initial registration, you can indicate which US employer you would like to have an interview with during the USA Hiring event.  This is, however, subject to availability. Also, final selections of successful participants will be made by the US employers during the road show.

Q 14. When will I know if I have been selected by the US employer?

A. The US employers will make an offer to successful applicants during the USA Hiring interview.

Q 15. If I choose to accept the offer, what are the fees I have to pay for the program?

A. There is the program fee which covers, among other things, a pre-arranged job arrangement, legal documents (DS-2019), and Medical and Travel insurance provided by the J-1 sponsor for the entire duration of stay in the US. The other fees are the J-1 visa application fee, SEVIS fee, ‘Accidental Death and Permanent Disability’ insurance coverage, as well as return flight tickets. Miscellaneous items include land transfers in the USA depending on work and travel locations (buses, trains, cabs, or others), possible overnight accommodation in the USA prior to reaching work location, housing deposit required by some employers (refundable with conditions), housing rent throughout your stay and personal funds. Please contact us to find out more.

Q 16. If I have accepted a job offer but would like to withdraw, are the fees refundable?

A. This depends on which stage in the application process you are at. If your cancellation is effective after you have paid the program fee and before your DS-2019 has been printed, you will receive a partial refund of the program fee. If your cancellation is effective after you have paid the program fee and your DS-2019 has been printed, there will be no refund of the program fee.  There is no refund of the visa application fee by the US Embassy, even if an application is rejected. Any changes or cancellation after payment is made for flight tickets will be subject to terms and conditions stated by the respective airlines and ticketing agent – cancellation and administrative charges will apply.

Q 17. Can I extend my work period when I am in the US?

A. No, you cannot do so. The maximum work duration allowed for this program is 3 months and you have an optional maximum of 30 days strictly for travelling after the work period ends.

 Q 18. Can I work and stay together with a friend on the program, even though we are from different institutions?

A. Yes, you can. Just make sure that you and your friend are interviewed together and accepted by the same US employer during the road show. Staying together in the US is generally possible but it depends on the employer’s arrangement.

Q 19. When do students generally leave for the US, since all the institutions have different vacation periods?

A. Start work dates are mainly 2^nd or 3^rd week of March up  to 2^nd to 3^rd week of June, and participants are mostly required to depart for the USA one or two days before their own start work date, subject to flight availability. Students are advised to agree to start work dates carefully providing allowance for changes to exam dates and such.

Q 20. Do the US employers pay overtime or bonuses?

A. This, again, varies among different employers. For pay details of each specific US employer, you should refer to the employer profiles available during registration period.

Q 21. Will my accommodation be provided by the US employer?

A. Yes, housing arrangements are usually made by the US employers, though you will be required to bear the rental cost. This can range from US$15 to US$95 or more per week, depending on the location you work at.

Q 22. Are meals and laundry services provided?

A. If you are working in a remote location, most likely meals and laundry services will be provided at a small fee by the US employers. In locations where the supermarket is easily accessible, these services will not be provided by the US employer.