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You are aged 18 – 29 years |
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You are a full-time university or college student
NOTE: it is no longer a requirement that students be returning to study, so if you are graduating this year you are still eligible (but remember this is still only for the period of your varsity’s summer vacation break). Students matriculating from High School do NOT qualify for the program. You MUST be in tertiary education. |
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You are looking to travel during your University Summer Vacation Break (December holidays) |
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You are the holder of a South African passport OR South African Study permit (valid BEYOND your return from the USA). |
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You have sufficient funds to pay the program fees and other associated costs of the program including funds to support yourself upon arrival |
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You are independent, self motivated and ready to take on the Adventure of a Lifetime! |
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Based on your eligibility for the program, and once all fees have been paid, Chilli Adventures will request the issuance of a DS-2019 form for you. The DS-2019 is a work authorization issued by the US State Department and is required in order to apply for the J1 visa. Applications for J1 visas are not accepted by the US consulate without it. |
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In order to have your J1 visa granted you will need to attend a visa appointment at your local US Consulate (Cape Town, Johannesburg or Durban). Chilli Adventures will advise and assist you with all the documents that are required for this appointment and with the booking your visa appointment. |
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The length of your J1 visa (and period that you are legally allowed to work) will be determined by the work authorization dates printed on your DS-2019. These dates will be matched to those of your university vacation break period (as stated on the Student Status form provided by you). IMPORTANT: You are eligible to work ONLY for the duration of your universities vacation break (regardless of whether you are returning to study or graduating) |
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The maximum work period allowable for a J1 visa is four months plus a 30-day ‘grace period’ allocated for travel and time to exit the country at the end of your program. |
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You are NOT allowed to work during this 30-day grace period, and must depart the U.S. before this time is up. |
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You are not allowed to work in any of the following positions while on the J1 work travel visa: camp counselor, domestic worker or nanny in an American Home, or in jobs that require you to invest your own money or to buy stock for door to door sales. You are also not eligible to work in jobs that require licensing under US law (such as doctors, nurses, lawyers, etc). |
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An important requirement of the J-1 visa is that you ‘validate’ the visa upon your arrival in the USA. This requires you to confirm your living and working address as part of the SEVIS system. Failure to validate the J1 visa within a set period will result in its termination. |
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The J-1 visa is designed to allow international students to share in cultural exchange while working and traveling in the USA for a non-extendable length of time over their summer vacation break. The J-1 visa CANNOT be extended. |
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As a J-1 visa participant, you are obligated to return home to share your knowledge of American culture. At your consulate appointment, you will be required to provide evidence of ‘intent to depart’ the USA. Most students provide confirmation of an additional year of study. |
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Always remember that the J1 visa is a privilege NOT a right and that your actions whilst in the USA will impact on future South Africans requesting this Visa as well as your chances of further US visas. |
