Ah where do I start. Don't know how many times I've had to run into the USIT office in Belfast with forms, money etc (though in saying that they have been very helpful). Only received word there at the start of the week that my interview is a week exactly before I go (pushing it for time as I thought the visa took 3/4 working days to get sorted and possibly 2 days to arrive at my house). I booked the J1 in December and the guys who im travelling with booked theirs in Feb, yet they got word about it before I did. Now I've got a page in front of me saying that im not allowed into the US before the 6th of June, yet I have my flights booked for 2nd June....things are going from bad to worse - END OF RANT....i think i probably would have been better just going over on a holiday and not bothered with a visa as its been hastle since the start
Don't worry about your DS2019 saying that it doesnt start untill the 6th - that just means you cant start working until then. It's actually not such a bad thing, since it means that you get an extra week on your visa.
I went with USIT last year, they were pretty decent, but this year they're really bad. I've never met a salesperson as bad as the one I was dealing with when I booked in USIT.
ive been messed around a little too but i rang the guy in charge of embassy interviews in the north (Alfredo in Dublin) and he gave me a time and date. then we didnt know if my interview was in Belfast or Dublin cause im from the North but paid in the South. jeeez.
anyways, looking forward to going. embassy interview is on 26th May, fly out on 12th June.
And even if it does say you can't start work until the 6th (which seems to be the date on most peoples - last year mine was the 6th too), most people will be willing to overlook the dates thing when they're hiring you - so it's not going to be a big problem or anything.
Heading down to the office tomorrow to check if the dates can be changed, but if it is as you guys say above (just means you can't start working until that date) then we are sorted. Just a month now, can't wait
well apparently in the North they take less time to process your application and i should have it back quickly. but surely if they mess it up and its too late id get a refund cause its all out of my hands.
I wouldn't worry about not having your visa back in time - I have my interview on the 17th and my flight's booked for the 30th. It *should* only take about 5 working days to process the visa, and then another 2 or 3 to send it out to you. I'm cutting it close with my dates, but it was the only one left.
see, this was the date they gave me. i coulda gone to it anytime but everytime i rang up they didnt know n all that. was a pain, but at least i know now.
yeah, ur cutting it close, at least ive that extra week or so. fingers crossed
Hey there... Just reading your posts... Just make sure all your forms are right and be extra nice to the embassy dudes. Tell them that you are travelling soon and you would be very grateful if they could speed you you visa. Most of the time they get them done quickly. Hope this helps
Have been to America twice on a J1 and have never had to use my Visa to get a job. In the first couple of days go to the Social Security Office and apply for you Social Security number. Some employers will not employ you with out one of these even though you have a letter saying that you are eligible to work. So get it sorted in the first 3 days as it can take up to a month to arrive....
Id just like to say that without a visa and a work permit you cannot get a social security number.. so even though Skinann didnt have to show a visa or supporting documents to an employer.. the visa and work permit were needed to obtain the SSN in the first place!
I never had to show a SSN to any employer, if you ask me the Visa is a huge waste of money and you'll realise that on your return.. But u have to experience this things for yourself, in order to underastnad wat im getting at.... Enjoy..
In order to get a job with Sayit Travel J1 dept you have to have been on a J1 urself.. So I have experienced it... 3 times... You obviously got ILLEGAL jobs.. which is grand.. but not everyone gets those... If you decide go to the states illegally then its ur decision, you may get deported for 10 years plus and fined if you are found to be working without a visa and valid work permit... For legal jobs you need to show all your documentation. You also need to have a SSN to open a bank account. You also are not insured to work if you have no visa.. You might have travel insurance but if you are injured while at work in an illegal job then your insurance is null and void...what happens if you hurt yourself while at work? As the states had no public health care, they have only private.. the medical bill will be huge.. And the hospital will inform the authorities that you are illegal...
You might think this is dramatic but it happen to someone I know while I was on my 1st J1... After Sept 11th esp. the rules have become more strict.
My two mates passports and visas came back there on Saturday the day after their interview, however the dates are completely different from each other (4th and 6th June) and our tickets are booked for the 2nd June. Will we have to change our flights. I still have to receive my passport and visa and it could be Wednesday before I get mines as its a Bank holiday. Will we be able to travel on the 2nd or are the dates on the visa just declarations that we cannot work until those dates???
Yea, CIEE mentioned this. Its not a problem, it just means you wont be able to work until the 6th. Anyway, your not going to get your SS number until well after then uness you have been before, and yull want a few days to get your bearings too!
Did CIEE say you had to have money or travellers cheques with you when entering the states? Did the say where they got this information from? Or why there were asking their students to bring this with them?
We were told it was a $1000 either in cash or travellers cheques, though they didn't say how they were going to check it out. Im going to bring $1000 with me though, just to make sure that we can get a house and keep ourselves going if we dont get jobs within the first few days/weeks.
On all the CIEE issued DS2019s (not sure about the InterExchanges ones, but I'd imagine they're the same), it states (in box 5, just over where you get the stamp from immigration) that:
"During the period covered by this form, the total estimated financial support (in U.S. $) is to be provided to the exchange visitor by: Personal Funds: $475.00 Total: $475.00"
That's exactly what it says on DS2019s issued this year and last year. CIEE say you need to have these funds, but they don't recommend you bring cash or travellers cheques in such large amounts. So basically, they're saying you need to be able to show you have the funds, but you shouldn't be carrying that much cash on you. They also say that bank statements and credit cards wont tbe accepted. So it's a bit contradictory really, but at least they tell us that we *might* be asked to show proof of funds.
There is no reason why you need this.. SAYIT or GO4LESS students sont have to have this.. and there will be no one checking this. DONT BRING TRAVELLERS CHEQUES.. I worked in a shop in Cali and believe me americans dont know what they are.. they think they are fake... If you want to carry that amount of cash with you then go ahead but just be careful cos I think you might only be covered up to $250 if you loose the money.
(If you go on a visa to New Zealand you must prove that you have sufficent funds to live for 2 months or something... This doesnt apply to the US J1 visa)
Perhaps CIEE will check this will they?? Maybe they are getting commission for the travellers cheques.. Who knows.. But its complete and utter rubbish to think that there will be an immigration officer looking to see money!!
Yeah everything contradicts each other. Thats the main problem we've been having. The forms said $475, though in the office we were told it was $1000 is you didn't have a job arranged and $475 if you had one
hey there I have just checked our ones and it says.. personal funds $500 and our students dont have to prove anything.... I have been onto teh embassy about this and they dont know why CIEE are insisting on this $1000...
Strange.. But I guess if you were told this.. then... You better do it!..
Hey... I didnt have to prove anything AT ALL! We have sent students to the states from the 25th may and thEy havent had to prove anything.. I guess someone woke up one morning and decided to make the whole process harder for students... i believe you have to get a ISIC card too... What good id that to you??
LOL, now play nice ;) Really appreciate the advice Laura. You have given us a great impression of Sayit so far. If I go back next year, I know who to go with! You should do more college promotions though.... didn't realise there was that option realistically.
Yeah, I think if I had to do one again, I wouldn't go with USIT. Far too much hastle with them, and as soon as they take your money, you never hear from them.
