The Summer Work Travel (SWT) program provides foreign students with an opportunity to live and work in the United States during their summer vacation from college or university. It’s an opportunity to experience American culture and develop personal and professional skills.
Participants in the program must be post-secondary school students in an educational institution outside the United States who have completed at least one semester or equivalent of post-secondary academic study. They must possess sufficient proficiency in English. We recommend that SWT applicants have a job prior to entry to the United States. U.S.-based exchange visitor sponsors will issue form DS-2019 after you are placed in a job.
Participants are allowed to work up to four months during the period May 15 – October 01 and are generally allowed a grace period (usually 30 days) to travel in the United States after the end of the exchange program. The Summer Work Travel is not for visitors who only want to travel in the United States.
For more information about the Summer Work & Travel Program, please click here.
Ambassador’s Fund for Summer Work and Travel
The Ambassadors Fund for Summer Work Travel (SWT) Scholarship is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, with the goal of enhancing mutual understanding and supporting public diplomacy efforts between the United States and young people from other countries. The scholarship offers a unique opportunity for university leaders from Latvia who demonstrate a willingness and interest in developing skills related to community building, media literacy, storytelling, and intercultural competencies.
In the summer of 2023, Ambassadors Fund Scholarship recipients will travel to the United States for up to four months during their university summer break. You will be matched with host employers in seasonal communities throughout the United States, and will work in seasonal, entry-level jobs with a high level of interaction with American colleagues and guests. Recipients will meet, work, live with and learn from both people of the United States and other international students while sharing daily experiences.
The scholarship supports airfare, visa fees, and other expenses. More details here: Ambassadors Fund for Summer Work Travel.
Know Your Rights
All program participants must read and understand the Wilberforce Act pamphlet which explains the rights they have while in the United States. During the visa interview the Consular Officer will verify that applicants know and understand their rights under the Wilberforce Act.
Procedural Guidelines:
Applicants to the program need to submit a valid DS-2019 form that they can receive from a U.S. based sponsor. A list of the U.S. based is below.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that their online application (DS-160) is completed accurately. In addition to the online application form applicants must pay the SEVIS fee, MRV fee and also bring the original form DS-2019 to the interview.
Applicants for the Summer Work &Travel Program must pay a SEVIS fee online at least 72 hours in advance of appointment date.
