Ask the Consul
What’s the Summer Work/Travel Program all about?
Many people are interested in the Summer Work/Travel Program, which allows full-time university students to work and experience life in the United States. Several local recruitment agencies charge fees to help with this process. These agencies are required to provide pre-departure information about housing and employment, prepare a list of job openings, and help participants find a job in the United States. We suggest that you investigate these recruiting agencies thoroughly before paying them money. The U.S. Embassy cannot recommend any specific agency.
To qualify for the Summer Work/Travel Program, you must:
- Speak English well enough to do your proposed job.
- Demonstrate that you intend to return to Colombia at the end of the summer and go back to school.
- Show that you are a full-time, serious student, actively pursuing an academic degree at an accredited university.
- Stay no longer than four months in the United States.
- Return before the following academic semester starts so you do not miss any classes.
You can ruin your chance to participate in the future by:
- Engaging in unauthorized employment during your stay.
- Returning from the United States after classes begin.
- Failing to continue your studies following the program.
The Summer Work/Travel Program is a great cultural exchange experience for many people. Please make sure you comply with the requirements of the program so you can enjoy your time in the United States and ensure that you will be able to visit again in the future.
For more information on this type of visa, please consult our website [http://bogota.usembassy.gov/scjvisa.html].