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Work and Travel Participant Handbook Work and Travel Participant Handbook Center for International Career Development 3302 Fuhrman Ave, Suite 300 Seattle, WA 98102 USA Enabling young people to engage in global opportunities for cultural exchange and personal growth 2 of 37 Dear Work and Travel Participant, Welcome to the CICD Work and Travel Program! We hope that you are excited and looking forward to your upcoming trip to the United States. Before your departure, it is extremely important – and required – that you take the time to read this Participant Handbook and all other materials that you have received from CICD, your home agency, and the U.S. Department of State. If you have any questions or concerns about your program, please contact CICD or your home agency - we are here to help you! We hope that you have a great time on the program and that your experience is postitive, fullfilling, and rewarding. Best Wishes, Your CICD Work and Travel Team CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT 3302 Fuhrman Ave E, Suite 300 Seattle, WA 98102 USA Phone: 206-957-7112 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.cicdgo.com 3 of 37 Table of Contents Chapter 1: The Basics 5 1.1 Your Sponsor: Center for International Career Development (CICD) 5 1.2 CICD Contact Information 5 1.3 Program Purpose 5 Chapter 2: Work and Travel Application Process 6 2.1 Home Agent Responsibilities 6 2.2 Application Documents 6 2.3 Important Application Notes 6-7 2.4 SEVIS Fee and Embassy / Consulate Interview Fee 7 2.5 Do NOT Make Travel Arrangements Before Visa Issuance 8 2.6 CICD Work and Travel Fees 8-9 2.7 Traveler’s Insurance Coverage Information 9 2.8 Healthcare and Your Well-Being in the U.S. 10 Chapter 3: Before You Travel 10 3.1 Packing Advice 10-11 3.2 Learn Local Laws 11 Chapter 4: Arrival and Program Validation 12 4.1 Entry into the U.S. 12 4.2 I-94 Arrival Record 12 4.3 Airport Transportation 12 4.4 Program Validation 13 Chapter 5: Program Compliance 14 5.1 Mandatory Monthly Updates 14 5.2 Reporting Program Changes 14 5.3 International Travel Authorization Required 14 Chapter 6: Seeking and Obtaining Employment 15 6.1 Employment Responsibilities 15 6.2 Program (Job) Exclusions 16 6.3 Host Company Vetting Process 17 6.4 Minimum Wage Requirement 17 6.5 Know Your Rights as a Temporary Worker 17-18 Chapter 7: Ending Your Program 18 7.1 The Grace Period 18 7.2 2-Year Home Country Presence Requirement 18 Chapter 8: Finances, Social Security and Taxes 19 8.1 Bank Accounts 19 8.2 Social Security 19-20 8.3 Taxes 20 Chapter 9: Living in the United States 21 9.1 Housing 21 9.2 Living Expenses 21-22 9.3 Tipping 22 9.4 Landline Telephones / Payphones 22-23 9.5 Cellular (Mobile) Phones 23-24 9.6 Internet and Email 24 9.7 Post Office 24-25 9.8 Shopping 25 9.9 Transportation 25-28 CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT 3302 Fuhrman Ave E, Suite 300 Seattle, WA 98102 USA Phone: 206-957-7112 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.cicdgo.com 4 of 37 Table of Contents continued Chapter 10: Personal Safety and Wellbeing Tips 29 10.1 Personal Safety Quick Tips 29-30 10.2 Extreme Weather and Emergency Preparedness 30-32 10.3 Culture Shock 33 Chapter 11: Other Helpful Information 34 11.1 Electrical Outlets 34 11.2 Temperature 34 11.3 Time Zones 34 11.4 Holidays observed in the United States 34-35 Additional Information Resources and Websites 36 U.S. Minimum Wage Guide for 2018 37 CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT 3302 Fuhrman Ave E, Suite 300 Seattle, WA 98102 USA Phone: 206-957-7112 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.cicdgo.com 5 of 37 Chapter 1: The Basics 1.1 Your Sponsor: Center for International Career Development (CICD) CICD is your U.S. Department of State designated J-1 visa sponsor based in Seattle, WA, USA. We are responsible for all aspects of your exchange program. This includes screening and selecting eligible applicants, issuing documents which are necessary to apply for a visa, and monitoring participants throughout their exchange visitor program in the United States. You alone are responsible for doing what it takes to maintain your good standing in the program and your J-1 status. As your J-1 visa sponsor, CICD updates your status accordingly. We are here to help you and to do our best to ensure that you have a successful and rewarding experience. 1.2 CICD Contact Information Communication Expectations CICD will contact you at least once per month primarily by email. You must check your email often, ensuring that we have the best email address for you and that CICD’s email is in your “Safe Sender “ list. We will send confidential information to your e-mail address so make sure that it is secure. You are welcome to contact us by phone, Skype, or through Facebook or Instagram (for non-confidential matters) as well. Emergency Phone Number CICD’s 24-Hour Emergency Phone line is (206) 683-3100. Use this phone line ONLY for very urgent issues. Contact Information Assuming it can wait until business hours (Monday through Friday 9am to 5pm PACIFIC time) please use our main phone line: (206) 957-7112, or email: [email protected]. Get answers to frequently asked questions and general program information on our website: www.cicdgo.com 1.3 Work and Travel Program Purpose The Exchange Visitor Program fosters global understanding through foreign diplomacy in the form of educational and cultural exchanges. The Work and Travel program provides international students with the unique opportunity to live, work and travel in the United States. Our hope is that every particpant has a positive, fulfilling and rewarding experience in the U.S., and that they share their cultural exchange experiences upon returning home. Program Dates The program allows participants to take seasonal or temporary employment for a minimum of six weeks up to a maximum of four months during their official university vacations. Participants may not work at any other time except during the “Program dates” period authorized on their DS-2019 form (officially known as a “Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status”). The U.S. Department of State provides a program date list for each country; though please note that these dates only reflect the maximum allowable date range for program participation. Within the timeframe listed for each country, participants (including final-year students) are still subject to their university’s official academic break schedule. Please see the J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program website for information regarding country specific program dates: http://j1visa.state.gov/programs/summer-work-travel Extensions of program participation beyond four months and/or your University Break dates are not permitted on the Work and Travel Program. CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL CAREER DEVELOPMENT 3302 Fuhrman Ave E, Suite 300 Seattle, WA 98102 USA Phone: 206-957-7112 E-mail: [email protected] Web: www.cicdgo.com 6 of 37 Chapter 2: Work and Travel Application Process 2.1 Home Agent Responsibilities CICD cooperates with partner agencies in many countries. Our partners screen, select and inform participating university students and recent graduates about the Work and Travel Program. Together, we strive to make your experience as positive and fulfilling as possible. Our partner is responsible for helping you apply for the program and prepare you for your Work and Travel experience. They will assist you with the application process, provide orientation and coordinate your program with CICD. 2.2 Application Documents In addition to submitting your biographical information online, you will submit a number of documents to your home agency (our partner agency) in order to apply for the program. These documents include: 1. Completed and signed CICD Work and Travel Applicant Contract (includes Medical Records Release Authorization, Terms and Conditions, and Hold Harmless Agreement). 2. A copy of your current passport that must be valid at least 6 months past your program end date. 3. Confirmation of Dates - CICD requires confirmation of break dates directly from the university. Preferably, this is verified by the university's academic calendar. 4. Enrollment confirmation letter from your university. 5. A current résumé/CV (if you do not have one, then you are welcome to use CICD’s template CV, simply ask your agency for a copy). 6. Introductory Letter (explaining why you would like to participate in the Work and Travel program and why you would be a good candidate). 7. Interview Form signed by you and your agency representative. 8. Pre-departure Orientation Confirmation signed by you and your agency representative. 9. CICD may also require letters of reference based on your qualifications. 10. English Assessment to be completed by a University or English Language School representative (not required for native English speakers). 11. Employment Verification (job offer) form. Applicants with pre-arranged job placements in the U.S. must supply their home agency with a signed CICD Employment Verification form. When communicating with your potential host company, remember to tell them that CICD is your sponsoring organization in the U.S. Freestyle or “Non-Prearranged Programs” Only participants from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries are allowed to enter the United States without pre- arranged employment. If you plan on participating in a Work and Travel Program without pre-arranged employment (i.e., the “Freestyle” option), your home agency and/or CICD may be able to help you find you an employment situation that best fits your needs after you arrive in the U.S.
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