Eligibility & Visas

As a cultural exchange visa, your J-1 visa is valid for the dates of your summer camp contract plus 30 days after camp to travel within the United States. Designed to experience and explore America, you cannot work during this 30-day period and must depart the USA before the end of the 30 days.

In order to apply for a J-1 visa, there are a few hoops to jump through. However, this isn’t as daunting as it sounds. Having done this process themselves and for hundreds of our travellers, the BUNAC team will guide you through every stage. You can read more about the J-1 visa process here. The J-1 visa consists of an online application and in-person J-1 visa appointment at the US Embassy or Consulate. You must have a completed DS2019 form (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor status). Our sponsors provide this form for you with support on filling it out. Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond your stay in the United States, and you must have a free double page for them to attach your paper visa. When you enter the USA, you may be asked to provide supporting evidence for your stay. Such as your ability to pay for your travel costs (usually USD $800 in the form of a bank statement) and proof of departure from the USA.

Yes. However, BUNAC provide this for you. We are partners with the largest non-profit sponsor in America – CIEE. Together, we make sure that you have all the necessary paperwork and sponsorship information to apply for your visa.

Correct as of November 2023, the cost of a J-1 visa is USD $185.

Once you have secured your Summer Camp USA placement with a job offer, you can start the application for your J-1 visa. Your BUNAC Travel Expert will supply you with the online links and supporting documentation you need to get started. It normally takes around two weeks to receive your passport and visa back. However, this can differ per applicant and embassy location. Please ensure that you apply for your visa well in advance and during a period when you are not needing your passport for other trips.

No. The ESTA is the USA’s electronic visa waiver programme, which allows you to travel to the United States without a visa for tourist purposes. As you are going to the USA to work and earn money, you must have a J-1 visa.

In most instances, you will be issued with a multiple entry visa, which means you would be able to leave and re-enter the USA during the dates that you are contracted to work. However, you would need to seek the approval of the visa sponsor two weeks before leaving. If you leave the USA during the 30 days after your contract end date, your visa will immediately be terminated and you would not be able to re-enter on that visa. Any further attempts to re-enter the USA would need to be under the grant of a separate visa or visa waiver (e.g. ESTA), which would be issued and granted at the complete discretion of the US Border Patrol.