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.
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.
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.
List of Agencies:
Several educational consulting agencies assist applicants in Latvia to obtain a DS-2019 from a U.S. based exchange visitor sponsor. The U.S. Embassy assumes no responsibility for the professional ability or reputation of the agencies whose names are listed below.
If you are a SWT agency and you would like to be included on the list, please email embassyriga@state.gov.
