What is the Summer Work and Travel Program (SWT)?
The Summer Work and Travel program is designed for foreign post-secondary students to enter the United States on a nonimmigrant visa to work and travel for a maximum of four months during their summer vacation. Last year over 450 Jordanian students received Summer Work and Travel visas.
Most participants typically work in non-skilled service positions at resorts, hotels, restaurants, and amusement parks. However, summer internships are allowed in other U.S. businesses and organizations including, but not limited to: architecture, science research, graphic art/publishing and other media communication, advertising, computer software and electronics, and legal offices. The term of the internship may not exceed the four-month program duration and must be completed during the student’s summer vacation. U.S. State Department regulations prohibit the placement of program participants as domestic help in U.S. households or in positions requiring them to invest their own money for inventory such as door-to-door sales. Students may choose to apply to the Summer Work and Travel Program through the approved agencies in the United States or one of the approved Jordanian agencies listed below.
Approved agencies in Jordan:
Divan International
Cosmopolitan World Wide Experience
Stationcom
Institute of International Cultural Exchange
When is the Summer Work and Travel (SWT) Season for Jordan?
The 2018 SWT program dates are June 15, 2018 to October 15, 2018. It is important to note that all participants should return to Jordan when their university starts the next semester.
Who is eligible to participate in the SWT program?
Applications:
- Must be enrolled in a full-time course of post-secondary study* and pursuing a degree from an accredited educational institution;
- Must demonstrate they will continue studies after participating in SWT; and Seniors must show strong plans for graduate school or work in Jordan upon their return;
- Must demonstrate English proficiency at a level at which they can successfully perform their job and live in the United States.
* Final year students are eligible to take part in this program during the school’s major academic break immediately following their graduation, as long as they apply to participate in the program prior to graduation.
Can students who are refused a SWT visa re-apply during the same SWT season?
Yes, a previous refusal for a tourist or other type of visa does not preclude you from applying for a SWT visa. However, the SWT program is designed for bona fide students. Students who cannot demonstrate that they returned to Jordan in time last year to begin their classes will be refused a visa.
Furthermore, if the student makes purposeful misstatements as to when he or she returned to Jordan or when school started, they could be found permanently ineligible for a U.S. visa.
Those students interested in re-applying for a visa should be able to provide additional or new information that was not available during their previous interview. This information must exhibit a substantial change in their situation or eligibility for a SWT visa.
What does a sponsor do?
Sponsors ensure that participants entering the United States without prearranged employment have sufficient financial resources to support themselves during their search for employment. In addition, sponsors must provide such participants with information on how to seek employment and secure lodging in the United States before they depart their home countries. Finally, sponsors must undertake reasonable efforts to secure suitable employment for participants unable to find jobs on their own after one week.
Issued a SWT visa?
If you were issued a SW&T visa, please visit the information about the William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act.
Looking for more information? Please consult the Department of State J-1visa website for frequently asked questions.
