work travel to usa

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Summer Work Travel

College and University students enrolled full time and pursuing studies at post-secondary accredited academic institutions located outside the United States come to the United States to share their culture and ideas with people of the United States through temporary work and travel opportunities.

Participants

Ambassadors fund for summer work travel experience.

Bulgarian students Valeri Konicheva and Hristina Nikolova share their experience of living and working in the U.S. with Deputy Assistant Secretary Nicole Elkon.

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Summer Work Travel Students must be:

• Sufficiently proficient in English to successfully interact in an English speaking environment;
• Post-secondary school students enrolled in and actively pursuing a degree or other full-time course of study at an accredited classroom based, post-secondary educational institution outside the United States;
• Have successfully completed at least one semester or equivalent of post-secondary academic study; and
• Pre-placed in a job prior to entry unless from a visa waiver country.

The Summer Work Travel program provides foreign students with an opportunity to live and work in the United States during their summer vacation from college or university to experience and to be exposed to the people and way of life in the United States.

More information

Summer work travel 2024 season program dates by country, summer work travel community support groups.

Find SWT community support groups near you

Map of Summer Work Travel Participants

View the number and locations of Summer Work Travel participants across the U.S.

Readmittance, Program Length, and Returning Home

• Readmittance: Participants can be admitted to the program more than once;
• Program Length: The maximum length of the program is four months; and
• Returning Home: Students must return to their home country prior to the start date of their university or college.

Program Exclusions

Sponsors must not place participants:

• In positions that could bring notoriety or disrepute to the Exchange Visitor Program;
• In sales positions that require participants to purchase inventory that they must sell in order to support themselves;
• In domestic help positions in private homes (e.g., child care, elder care, gardener, chauffeur);
• As pedicab or rolling chair drivers or operators;
• As operators or drivers of vehicles or vessels for which drivers’ licenses are required regardless of whether they carry passengers or not;
• In positions related to clinical care that involves patient contact;
• In any position in the adult entertainment industry (including, but not limited to jobs with escort services, adult book/video stores, and strip clubs);
• In positions requiring work hours that fall predominantly between 10:00 pm and 6:00 am;
• In positions declared hazardous to youth by the Secretary of Labor at Subpart E of 29 CFR part 570;
• In positions that require sustained physical contact with other people and/or adherence to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Universal Blood and Body Fluid Precautions guidelines (e.g., body piercing, tattooing, massage, manicure);
• In positions that are substantially commission-based and thus do not guarantee that participants will be paid minimum wage in accordance with federal and state standards;
• In positions involved in gaming and gambling that include direct participation in wagering and/or betting;
• In positions in chemical pest control, warehousing, catalogue/online order distribution centers;
• In positions with traveling fairs or itinerant concessionaires;
• In jobs that do not allow participants to work alongside U.S. citizens and interact regularly with U.S. citizens and to experience U.S. culture during the workday portion of their Summer Work Travel programs;
• With employers that fill non-seasonal or non-temporary job openings with exchange visitors with staggered vacation schedules;
• In positions that require licensing;
• In positions for which there is another specific J visa category (e.g., Camp Counselor, Trainee, Intern);
• Participants must be employees of and paid by the staffing agencies
• Staffing agencies must provide full-time, primary, on-site supervision of the participants
• Staffing agencies must effectively control the work sites, e.g., have hands-on management responsibility for the participants
• After November 1, 2012, in positions in the North American Industry Classification System’s (NAICS) Goods-Producing Industries occupational categories industry sectors 11, 21, 23, 31-33 numbers (set forth at http://www.bls.gov/iag/tgs/iag_index_naics.htm ).

Sponsors must also:

• Use extra caution when placing students in positions at employers in lines of business that are frequently associated with trafficking persons (e.g., modeling agencies, housekeeping, janitorial services);
• Consider the availability of suitable, affordable housing (e.g., that meets local codes and ordinances) and reliable, affordable, and convenient transportation to and from work when making job placements;
• Actively and immediately assist participants with arranging appropriate housing and transportation, if employers do not provide or arrange housing and/or transportation, or if participants decline employer-provided housing or transportation;
• The number of job placements available with host employers
• That host employers will not displace domestic U.S. workers at worksites where they will place program participants
• That host employers have not experienced layoffs in the past 120 days and do not have workers on lockout or on strike

Sponsors may place participants only in jobs that:

• Are seasonal or temporary;
• Provide opportunities for regular communication and interaction with U.S. citizens and allow participants to experience U.S. culture.

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Summer Work Travel Resources

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Program Sponsors

Sponsors are required to:.

• A copy of the Department of State Summer Work Travel Program Brochure;
• The Department of State’s toll-free emergency hotline telephone number;
• The sponsor’s 24/7 immediate contact telephone number;
• Information advising participants of their obligation to notify their sponsor when they arrive in the United States and to provide information of any change in jobs or residence; and
• Information concerning any contractual obligations related to participants’ acceptance of paid employment in the United States, if pre-arranged.
• Ensure that participants entering the United States without prearranged employment have sufficient financial resources to support themselves during their search for employment;
• Provide such participants with information on how to seek employment and secure lodging in the United States before they depart their home countries; and
• Provide participants with a job directory that includes at least as many job listings as the number of participants in their program who are entering the United States without prearranged employment.
• Sponsors must undertake reasonable efforts to secure suitable employment for participants unable to find jobs on their own after one week;
• Sponsors must inform program participants of Federal Minimum Wage requirements and ensure that, at a minimum, participants are compensated at the prevailing local wage, which must meet the higher of either the applicable state or the Federal minimum wage requirement, including payment for overtime in accordance with state-specific employment; and
• Sponsors must maintain, at a minimum, a monthly schedule of personal contact with the program participants (in-person, by telephone or via-electronic mail), document such contact, and ensure that issues affecting the health, safety and welfare of participants are addressed immediately.

2024 Program Date Chart

2024 Program Date Chart (PDF)

• Summer Work Travel 2024 Season Program Dates by Country (PDF)

Host employers are required to:

• Provide participants the number of hours of paid employment per week as identified on the job offer and agreed to when the sponsor vetted the jobs;
• Pay those participants eligible for overtime worked in accordance with applicable state or federal law;
• Notify sponsors promptly when participants arrive at the work site and begins their programs; when there are any changes or deviations in the job placements during the participants’ programs; when participants are not meeting the requirements of job placements; or when participants leave their position ahead of their planned departure; and
• Contact sponsors immediately in the event of any emergency involving participants or any situation that impacts the health, safety or welfare of participants.

“As an employer of international kids, keep your door open and be proactive in solving their issues.” 

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Work & Travel USA

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The program is designed so that overseas students can become more than tourists, experiencing life in the U.S. first-hand by working alongside U.S. citizens in temporary employment. Not only does this unique opportunity allow for a genuine “U.S. experience,” it helps cover travel expenses!

For a time, the program was offered only in European and Central/South American countries and was introduced in Asia only in the 1990s to countries such as Japan, Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand. In Singapore, it officially took root in November 2000 and the program is available now in Malaysia, Australia, and Indonesia as well. A pioneer group of 30 students from Singapore embarked on this adventure in May 2001 through Speedwing and hundreds of other countries' students have participated in this program each year ever since.

Students on the program are employed in summer jobs in famous locations like amusement parks Cedar Point and Six Flags and national parks Yellowstone and Grand Canyon. Upon fulfilling their work agreement, they get to travel around the USA within a stipulated period as part of the program. In this way, they have in many seasons of the program formed meaningful friendships with people from many countries, acquired overseas work experience, and simply gained great memories.

This program is not for students to gain practical training, apply classroom knowledge, complete compulsory work attachment/internship programs unless otherwise stated by their institutions, or seek permanent work opportunities or long-term career in the USA. At the end of the program, all students must return to the country in which they are studying.

• Minimum employment period is 2 to 3 months. Maximum is 4 months.
• Duration of stay in the USA can be up to 5 months (maximum 4 months of employment followed by an optional maximum 30 days of travel within the US).
• Legal work document and visa are generally issued for only the work duration agreed between each participant and the employer. Participants cannot extend work duration when they are already in the USA.
• Participants who are required to return to school can only remain in the USA on the program until the last day of their school vacation and must return in time to start the new semester.
• be at least 18 and not more than 30 years of age
• be a full-time tertiary student in your local university with official semester break OR a final year, final semester student graduating from a full-time course
• Undergo an interview with secure job offer before you can be accepted on the program

Summer Intake

This program is offered in Singapore, Malaysia, and Indonesia.

In Singapore, Speedwing usually commences recruitment in August/September and organizes a recruitment roadshow in October/November for the program in the following summer.

From 2013 onward, Singapore participants who embark on the Summer Work & Travel USA will have to follow the set date given. No employment can start earlier or end later than this range: May 01 – August 31 (not May 15, effective 2016).

For Malaysia and Indonesia, applications usually commence in October/November with the recruitment roadshow in January/February for the program in the following summer. Participating employers will interview interested candidates at recruitment roadshows (Singapore and Malaysia mostly) or online hiring via SKYPE or Zoom.

From 2013 onward, Malaysia participants who embark on the Summer Work & Travel USA will have to follow the set date given. No employment can start earlier or end later than this range: May 25 – September 15 (not May 15, effective 2016)

Winter Intake This program applies to Malaysia and Australia.

The winter recruitment begins in June/July for one to depart in November/December the same year.

From 2013 onward, Malaysia participants who embark on the Winter Work & Travel USA will have to follow the set date given. No employment can start earlier or end later than this range: November 25 – March 15 (not November 15, effective 2016).

Click here to find out the set dates given by the US Department of State for each country.

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SUMMER W&T USA

CULTURAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM FOR STUDENTS

WHAT MAKES US SPECIAL

If a student does not get the visa we keep 0$!

The program price includes health insurance for the fifth month

Payment is possible in five installments, the last one you pay after getting the visa

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Free English language course with native speaker!

Job fairs and live interviews with employers!

Over 100 authentic student experience videos!

What is Work and Travel program?

“Summer Work and Travel USA” program is a cultural exchange program exclusively for students. The program has been approved and supported by the American government and it enables students to work in the USA during the summer break within a period of 4 months and after that, if they want, to use the fifth month for traveling. The aim of the program is to gain great experience, improve English language, meet the culture, customs and lifestyle, as well as, to get new friends.

What do we offer?

Summer Work and Travel Program is a complex program. Therefore, it is important that you have safety and all the program segments organized.

1. Safe job – interviews with the employers 2. Meeting the representative of the sponsor companies in the USA authorized by the State Department before departure to the USA. 3. Transport to the location of the employer or accommodation 4. Organization and help with getting SSN number in the USA which you cannot work without 5. Continuous support during your stay in the USA

See the necessary documentation

JOB LOCATIONS

See the full offer of jobs across the USA

For more student experiences visit

WORK AND TRAVEL GROUP APP

Find fellow travelers!

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Work and Travel USA

International Cultural Exchange Program

What is Work&Travel Program?

The Summer Work Travel program provides foreign students with an opportunity to live and work in the United States during their summer vacation from college or university to experience and to be exposed to the people and way of life in the United States

Work&Travel Participant Map

We are creating interactive map for Work&Travel Students. You can find Employer Reviews, Whatsapp Group Links.

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Work & Travel USA

Our work & travel program in the united states.

The Intrax Work Travel USA program gives you the opportunity to discover the United States from a local perspective. Don’t just travel as a tourist during your summer vacation, experience the American way of life and its rich culture firsthand as you work, live and travel alongside locals.

This is a unique opportunity for you to gain international work experience which you can include on your CV and also help cover some of your travel expenses. Create exciting new memories, learn the US culture, establish global long-lasting friendships, and improve your English skills for up to four months while you are on the program!

Let Intrax help you achieve this unique hands-on cultural and travel experience. As an official sponsor of the J1 visa program designated by the US Department of State for more than 25 years, we have worked with over 125,000 Work Travel participants from over 35 countries.

On this website you will find all necessary information and documentation about the program.

Why Intrax ?

Founded more than 30 years ago, Intrax is dedicated to fostering and advocating cultural exchange. Whether you already know exactly what you want to do with your career, looking to develop new skills, or seeking exciting cultural experiences, we can help you.

We operate in more than 100 countries and have welcomed over 350,000 participants into our various programs. We have created a reputation for quality programs, outstanding customer service with a central focus on our participants and their experience.

Experience the American Way of Life! Work with locals and travel throughout the USA.

Find out the prices for our two placement options as well as the included services.

Some eligibility criteria need to be fulfilled to participate in the Intrax Work Travel program.

Start your application!

Apply for the Intrax Work Travel program and experience the true American culture. This program allows you to earn money while also improving your english skills. Start your adventure with us.

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Exploring the U.S.

Travel after the program.

One of the great things about CIEE Work & Travel USA is the option to explore this amazing country on your own. Go anywhere you like – the only limits are your imagination, your budget, and the date by which you need to return home. Remember that if you want to take a short trip while still at your job, you will need to ask your employer for time off.

The program allows you to travel for up to 30 days. You will need to plan your travel dates before coming to the United States to make sure you have insurance coverage. You may not change these dates after you arrive. You must also be back in time for the start of the school year.

Traveling Before Your Job Ends You may also have the opportunity to travel while still at your job. You are expected to work for the entire length of your employment agreement. However, when you have approved time off from work, you should take advantage of it to travel and learn more about American culture.

Taking a few days off is the perfect way to see and experience some of what you’ll find in the monthly Culture Guides we send you, or the Top 10 Things to Do. Be sure to talk with your manager in advance about the possibility of taking time off.

Traveling Outside the United States

You can take a trip outside the United States during the program, but CIEE must approve it. There are important rules that you must follow.

Timing You may only travel outside the United States during the work dates in Box 3 of your DS-2019 and for no longer than 30 consecutive days.

Authorization You must be authorized to enter the United States on more than one occasion. The number of times you are allowed to enter the United States is indicated on your J-1 Visa under the section “entries.” You can have multiple entries if the letter “M” appears in this section; if it does not, you are only allowed to enter the United States the specific number of times indicated (usually one or two).

Notify CIEE by phone or email two weeks before any trip outside the United States to ensure you get your DS-2019 signed and returned.

Paperwork If you travel outside the United States, you must have your original DS-2019 signed for travel by CIEE and receive a Good Standing Letter. Send your DS-2019 and a note that explains your travel plans in an envelope to CIEE. Include a prepaid return envelope (from CIEE to your U.S. mailing address), and we will return it to you. Make sure to use a mail service that provides a tracking reference number for your package, like USPS or FedEx. Do not send money in the mail. For detailed instructions on how to obtain proper travel validation from CIEE, please call 1-888-268-6245 or email us at  [email protected] .

Do not travel without your signed DS-2019 form. Doing so will cause delays of 30 to 90 days before you may re-enter the country, while the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) processes your paperwork.

If you have multiple trips outside of the United States planned, please contact CIEE before sending in your DS-2019 form. Depending on your travel dates, you may not need to have your documents signed.

Insurance Coverage Travel to Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas) is covered by CIEE insurance. Travel anywhere else outside the United States is not covered by CIEE insurance.

J-1 Visa Your J-1 Visa must be valid and the dates on your DS-2019 must be current when re-entering the United States. You will not be allowed back into the United States with an expired DS-2019, even for connecting flights. It is your responsibility to make sure that you meet the re-entry requirements.

Depending on your home country, you may be required to have a visa for the country you are traveling to. Be sure to check with your embassy before you travel anywhere outside the United States.

Travel Tips & Resources

Your safety is very important to us. When you travel during your CIEE Work & Travel USA program, keep these tips in mind to make sure you travel smart.

- Travel with friends whenever possible. - Plan ahead. Research hotels, hostels, and transportation if you are traveling for more than one day. - Always tell friends and coworkers where you are going and when you will be back. - Make sure you have contact information for friends and employers, and give them your phone number as well. - Take your CIEE Work & Travel USA ID card with you, along with your important documents. - Protect your personal property by keeping it in a safe place; if there are safes where you are staying, lock up your valuables and important documents. - Never hitchhike! It is illegal in many states.

Travel Guides CIEE Work & Travel USA will email you some useful travel guides, including the regional Top 10 Things to Do and our monthly Culture Guide USA. Also, there are many useful websites with information about many American destinations. Many of them also offer guidebooks. Here are a few:

Budgettravel.com Letsgo.com Fodors.com Frommers.com Lonelyplanet.com Notfortourists.com Roughguides.com Tripadvisor.com Virtualtourist.com

Individual cities and states also have helpful tourism websites.

Lodging & Transportation Visit the  Housing  and  Transportation  pages for useful tips and links to find great, inexpensive places to stay, along with the best way to travel around the United States.

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Work and Travel in United States

Help us grow. share what you know about getting work in united states for travellers., volunteer and paid work opportunities in united states for travellers.

Work in United States All Year Round Work and travel in the United States is a dream that many harbour in order to extend their time in North America. Luckily, if you want to work in America there’s no better country when it comes to the diversity of work. The sheer size of the country means you’ll easily find work of all kinds in winter, summer, autumn, and spring. There are jobs in the USA for skilled working travellers and non-skilled working travellers. You can teach English in the US state of Florida, you can engage in environmental volunteer work around the Great Lakes and the various national parks around the country, or you can take charge of kids in a country with a wildly popular summer camp culture. This guide to work and travel in the USA is going to introduce you to the sort of work you can take advantage of in the US and what you need to actually get there.

VOLUNTEER WORK VISA / PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR UNITED STATES

People wonder whether they need a green card or whether they have to struggle through US immigration to legally volunteer in the United States. If you want to work in America the process is relatively easy. Your original tourist visa is sufficient for all nationalities to perform the vast majority of short-term work in America. The only exception is if you are planning to volunteer for more than 90 days. In this case you will be required to apply for a B1 or B2 visa before you enter the country. Take note that the definition of volunteering is performing work without expecting any form of compensation. This doesn’t include basics like lunch and your bed. The difficulty for some nationalities who want to volunteer in the USA will be getting into the country in the first place. Most EU nations, including the UK, have agreements where you can enter the USA without applying for a visa for up to 90 days. This also applies to Australians and volunteers from New Zealand. There are some exceptions for European nations, though. Russian citizens, for example, will have to apply for a visa prior to arriving in the United States. It isn’t necessary for Russians to apply for a separate permit to perform volunteer work in the USA, though.

SEASONAL BACKPACKER SKILLS NEEDED IN UNITED STATES

Spring work.

Spring jobs in the USA are in abundance because it’s actually the biggest hiring period, even eclipsing the number of summer volunteer jobs in America. The main seasonal jobs in spring revolve around parts of the local, state, and national parks. If you want to make a difference to the environment this is the place to go during spring. You do need qualifications in relevant fields, but if you’ve just left university with a relevant science degree this could be the work and travel job for you. There are a range of positions in national parks, including water quality research testers, replenishing stocks of plants, and even managing the maintenance of hiking trails. But there are still jobs to be found outside of national parks. For example, you could spend the spring maintaining gardens on a permaculture farm in Florida. The far north of the country will still have snow on the ground, so there may still be work in ski resorts, but a lot of places carry over their winter volunteers into the early months of spring.

SUMMER JOBS

Part of the culture of the USA is that during the long summer holidays the kids go away to summer camps. You might think that the volunteers there are exclusively drawn from the local community, but that’s not the case. You’ll find plenty of summer camp volunteering opportunities for both qualified and unqualified working travellers. If you love young people, this is the job for you. There are a fair share of both international programs and local positions available, so make sure you do your research. The majority of summer jobs revolve around the hospitality industry as hotels and hostels begin the busiest period of the year. You can easily find work and travel positions ranging from simple receptionist work to gardening and babysitting. You may even want to look into housesitting at this time of year. With most people taking a holiday they will be looking for reliable people to watch their homes. This is an all-year job in the United States, but you’ll notice an explosion in the number of opportunities during the summer.

Autumn is the harvest time. The hospitality industry is starting to wind down and the kids are going back home to start the new school year. This is also the time of year where picking jobs are in abundance. Farmers in the likes of Wyoming and Oklahoma are always searching for help during the busiest time of the year. And they’re willing to take on working travellers who’re willing to put in a hard day’s work. The work will depend on what you’re needed for. For example, you could be out in the fields or you could be taking care of household duties whilst everybody else manages the farm. One type of seasonal work in the United States you might have heard of is cannabis plant trimming. The trimming industry is one that has always been a favourite for travellers. You need to beware of which state you work in because in many areas it’s still illegal. Dave’s Travel Corner details how he worked in Northern California as a trimmer. Take note it’s still illegal here. We recommend sticking to Southern Oregon trimming jobs, where the legal marijuana industry has come into being. Colorado and Washington are other states where you can get legal seasonal jobs like this from September until November.

The primary seasonal job in the USA for working travellers is volunteering at a ski resort. The season usually runs from December to February, but can run longer if you’re in the far north. Alaska is always a favourite for skiing, but the majority of Americans stick to the Rockies mountain range. The ski resorts in Colorado, Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah are amongst the best in the country. You can also ski in the Sierra Nevada through California, but skiing here is less popular due to the fact snow is wetter and heavier. If you want to work and travel in America on the Atlantic coast you can find ski resorts in the states of New York and Vermont.

ATTITUDE TO FOREIGNERS WORKING OR VOLUNTEERING IN UNITED STATES

The attitude to foreigners working in the USA is generally warm and welcoming. It’s extremely common to see travellers volunteering so local people are more than used to it. Leave the big cities and you’ll be treated extremely well by locals who rarely greet working travellers.

Recent Contributors

• Edited on Jul 24 2017 by Artem

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J-1 Visa Summer Work Travel Program

• At-a-Glance

College and University students enrolled full time and pursuing studies at post-secondary accredited academic institutions located outside the United States come to the United States to share their culture and ideas with people of the United States through temporary work and travel opportunities.

The Summer Work Travel program provides foreign students with an opportunity to live and work in the United States during their summer vacation from college or university to experience and to be exposed to the people and way of life in the United States.

Program Length

Eligibility and application overview.

• Sufficiently proficient in English to successfully interact in an English speaking environment;
• Post-secondary school students enrolled in and actively pursuing a degree or other full-time course of study at an accredited classroom based, post-secondary educational institution outside the United States;
• Have successfully completed at least one semester or equivalent of post-secondary academic study; and
• Pre-placed in a job prior to entry unless from a visa waiver country.

Participants must first find a  Summer Work Travel Designated Sponsor .

Visit the   J1Visa website  for information on how to apply.  

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• American Summers

Summer Work & Travel Program

Expand your horizons — live and work in the us over your university break.

IENA’s Summer Work and Travel program provides the opportunity for university students to live, work and travel for up to 4-months in the US.

Living and working among Americans is a great opportunity to gain great insight into life and culture in the US, make friends, and improve your English skills. At the end of your program you’ll have the opportunity to travel around the US for up to 30 days. Summer Work and Travel programs last up to four months, with an opportunity for up to one month of travel after your job ends, depending upon your university schedule. IENA will be your program sponsor and provide support before and during your stay in the US.

Create lasting memories with Work & Travel!

In the US summer, you might work…

• At the beach
• In amusement or water parks
• In hospitality

In the US winter, you might work…

• At a ski resort
• In a restaurant

Application and Fees

Application information.

To apply to the Summer, Work and Travel Program, you must be:

• Proficient in English (oral and written)
• Enrolled full time in a college or university course
• Excited about experiencing American culture

What your program includes

• High quality service and support from start to finish
• Optional job placement
• 24/7 emergency line
• Visa assistance
• Insurance for your entire stay in the US

IENA works with certified international partners around   the world.   Please e-mail us at [email protected] to connect you with one of our partners who will guide you through the process in your home country

Travel Information

On the move in the us.

Aim to live close to where you work. Walking and biking allows you to get to know your neighborhood and city. You will stay physically active and save on transportation costs.

For longer trips, try public transportation in your area or rideshare services like Uber and Lyft. Local taxi services offer direct service.

Pre-arrival

Participants will arrange their own transportation to and from the US, and to their housing/destination Check with your recruiter for information on flight deals.

If your employer doesn’t have a shuttle, you may be able to arrange public transportation to/from the airport to your destination. Ask IENA or your recruiter for help in identifying public transportation options.

Participant Resources

What to see in the usa.

• Sporting events
• Historical sites
• Oceans, lakes, and rivers
• National/state/local parks and recreation areas
• Major cities/nearby cities
• Amusement/water parks

The following SEVIS Validation Information is for Exchange Visitors who are sponsored by IENA ONLY and participating in our Summer Work and Travel Program, including Summer Camp Support Staff.

If the Sponsor listed on your DS-2019 is not IENA, please STOP and contact your sponsor.

Frequently Asked Questions

We know traveling to a new country for work can raise a lot of questions. Check out our useful FAQs or reach out with questions

You are going to hear several terms for different forms etc. during the process. Here is our IENAipedia to those forms:

The J-1 Summer Work and Travel Visa:  This J-1 Visa is a government program that allows qualified full time students to share their cultures and ideas with the people of the United States. The J-1 Summer Work and Travel Visa is for individuals approved to participate in work-and study-based exchange visitor programs. This program is run by the US Department of State .

DS-2019 Form:  This form can only be issued by a US Department of State designated visa sponsor. IENA is one of those. It certifies that you are eligible to take part in the cultural exchange program and is a vital part of the application process. In essence, it is evidence that you have a bona-fide job offer in the USA. You will need it for your embassy appointment AND you will need it when you enter into the USA. Guard it as you would guard your passport.

SEVIS Receipt (or SEVIS I-901 Receipt):  SEVIS stands for “Student Exchange Visitor Information System”. It is a system by which the US Department of State keeps track of you on the program. You will need this form when you visit the embassy for your interview

WHAT PAPERWORK WILL THE EMPLOYER REQUIRE? Social Security:  The US Government requires all employees to apply for a Social Security Number. Your employer will help you do this upon your arrival, however, you MUST validate your arrival via your IENA account BEFORE you can apply. Once done, you will need to visit the local Social Security office. You must obtain a Social Security Card. If you already have one, then that’s yours for life.

Form I-9: All employees, foreign and domestic, are required to complete this form for each employer. It is a straightforward form and you will need your passport (including J-1 Visa) and your DS-2019. Your employer will help you complete this.

Form I-94: This is your arrival and departure record. It is a good idea to print this when you get settled and keep it with you. You cannot print it until after you have arrived in the USA. It can be printed here

W-4:  This form is for tax purposes. Your employer may withhold a small amount of taxes from your salary. You ARE entitled to claim some of this back because you are not a resident of the USA. IENA partner with taxback.com to make claiming back the taxes as simple as possible DO I HAVE HEALTHCARE IN AMERICA?

As you may be aware, health care is not free in the USA. You must have medical insurance. We have that covered for you. There are however some terminology and procedures it is handy to know:

Co-payment:  This is like your car insurance excess. Its an amount you always have to pay when you have treatment. For non-Emergency Room Visits, the Co-pay is $50. Whenever possible. You should always call the 800 number (free call) on the back of your insurance and discuss your symptoms before visiting a doctor. They can best advise you whether to visit a doctor and if so, where the closest clinic is.

Workers Compensation:  Whilst you are at work and carrying out your duties at work, you are covered by this insurance. This means if you have an injury/illness caused by or related to your work, you are covered by this insurance which is held by your employer. Our insurance is for non-work related cases, or injuries/illnesses that occur while on days off and while you are traveling.

Emergency Room: It’s the same thing as the A & E and is for serious injury or illness that requires immediate attention.  There is no co-pay or deductible for this if the injury/illness is deemed life threatening or requires an overnight stay. In all other cases, there will be a $350 Copay, so you should go to a walk-in clinic whenever possible.

Pre-Existing Conditions:  If you have a condition that has been treated, or you take regular medication for, in the past 6 months, it will NOT be covered by this insurance.

Here you can find more details on your insurance policy .

SOCIAL MEDIA AND YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE

When it comes to social media and American culture, there are a few things you need to be aware of. Employers have withdrawn job offers to participants before they have even arrived in the USA due to things they have found on social media. Please be aware of how you portray yourself. You are going to America to be professionally employed and your public presence should reflect that. We highly recommend you make all your social media private.

Remember, even something someone else tags you in or photos someone else posts of you can have an impact on someone’s impression of you. As a general rule of thumb, think “Would I want my parents or grandparents to see this?”

Each employer will have their own set of rules with regards to social media once you arrive.

CAN I LEAVE MY EMPLOYER OR SWITCH JOBS

IENA recognizes there are several reasons why you may leave your job.

Getting Fired

Break the rules and you may be fired. This is a job just like a job at home.  As with any job you take, there are rules that need to be followed.

If you have been fired, the first thing you must do is call IENA.  (888)724-4292 . Your employer are also instructed to call us.  Our goal is:

• For you to understand why you have been fired
• Get your version of events
• Ensure you are paid up to date
• To make a plan with you as to where you will go, if we can place you elsewhere or how you will get home

Just because you have been terminated from employment does not mean you are not part of our program. We want to make sure you are safe and taken care of.

You Decide to Leave

We understand there are a few reasons why you may decide to leave. All we ask is that if you have any problems at your place of employment, you follow the following steps:

• Please make sure you have given the job a chance – at least 2 weeks
• Speak with your supervisor about any problems first and give him or her the chance to resolve
• If this has not worked, call IENA who will advocate on your behalf

Remember as with any job, there are good days at work and bad days.  There are people you like working with, and people you don’t like working with.  Just as the employer has made a commitment to you via you job offer, you have made a commitment to the employer in acknowledging and agreeing to the terms of your job offer.

If you do decide to leave early, you MUST call IENA before you leave on (888) 724 4292 ext 4. We will want to help you make a plan to get home or find other employment.

CAN I GET A SECOND JOB

If you have the opportunity for a second job, please contact the IENA office and we will go through the process and contact your new employer. You  MUST  do this  BEFORE  you accept and begin working for your 2 nd  job employer.

ABOUT THE USA

The USA is a vast country.  People say that every state is almost like a country with its own culture and compare it to Europe.  Here are some handy tools to help you:

• Time Zones and Local Times
• US Public Holidays
• US Customs, Habits, and Etiquette
• Cost of Living

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Work and Travel USA 2023

• SALARY 12$/hour+%
• SC, North Myrtle Beach
• SALARY from 10$/hour
• SC, Myrtle beach
• SALARY from 700$/per week
• SC, Surfside beach
• FAQ interviews, program fees
• Job job search, second job, salary
• Documents Visa, flight tickets, job offer
• Life in USA Cash, first steps, transport, communication
• To parents Program benefit, support, insurance

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Malaysian Work & Travel USA Step-by-Step Guide 2020 Updated

Get Your Free "Ultimate Travel Bucket List" eBook!

It’s my first ever e-book, and I want to share it with you! 

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In the summer of 2018, I’ve spent a crazy and memory-packed summer in Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk in California under Malaysian Work & Travel USA program. It’s an unforgettable 2.5 months working together with friends from different countries all around the world and local Americans.

I’m a humble guy myself (or at least I like to think of it this way). And I always want to share my experiences and hopefully, inspire others to break out of their so-called cliché comfort zone. This is one of the main reasons I  started this travel blog in the first place, to lend a hand and inspire.

Although Malaysians might not have privileges as Taiwanese youngsters do (they have working holiday programs to more than 10 countries around the world), one program that is totally worth considering for Malaysian students is the  Malaysian Work & Travel USA Program .

Interested? Read on.

Not convinced? Read How It’s Like Working in Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk.

Note (1st April 2020): The following information had been proofread by Speedwing , so rest assured that you’re getting the most updated information possible. 

Convinced? Let’s dive in and see how you can apply for the Work & Travel USA Program too!

• 1 What is The Malaysian Work & Travel USA Program?
• 2 Eligibility for Malaysian Work & Travel Program
• 3 Choose Your Agency (Program Representative)
• 4 How much? What’s included in the price?
• 5 What’s not included in the price?
• 6 What You Need to Know
• 7 Work & Travel USA Program Application Procedures
• 8 Frequently Asked Questions
• 9 Ready For Malaysian Work & Travel USA Program?

What is The Malaysian Work & Travel USA Program?

Work & Travel USA Program provides the opportunity for foreign students to work and travel in the USA during their semester breaks. The program is administered by the US State Department to achieve the objectives of international cultural exchange.

The purpose of the Work & Travel USA Program is to allow foreign students to experience the American culture and way of living in America.

With Malaysian Work & Travel USA program, you will be able to work in the USA for a season (up to 3.5 months) during summer (25th May to 15th September) or winter (25th November to 15th March). After the work, you are legally allowed to travel around the country for one month before returning to your home country to continue your study or convocation.

There are more than 70 companies partnered with CIEE (Council of International Educational Exchange) alone. And there are more organizations than just CIEE that provide the Work & Travel USA Program.

Eligibility for Malaysian Work & Travel Program

• At least the age of 18 and not more than 30.
• A full-time tertiary student with official semester break or final year, final semester student graduating from a full-time course (which means you finished your studies and are waiting for your convocation).
• Undergo an interview before being accepted into the program.

Choose Your Agency (Program Representative)

There are three agents in offering Malaysian Work & Travel USA Program – Speedwing , Infinity Abroad , and Out of the Box.

I applied mine through Speedwing and was very happy with the process and their customer support. My emails were usually answered within a day or two by Speedwing. I’m not sure about others but most of my friends applied through Speedwing and were happy with it. 

Note that I’m not a partner of the agency, just promoting what I like. 

Check out  What I Learnt From New Zealand Working Holiday .

How much? What’s included in the price?

For summer 2019, the fee is $1285 which includes:

• Program fee
• Detailed information about the program
• Pre-departure orientation
• Obtaining legal documentation (Work Documents)
• Visa application fee
• Health and Medical Insurance Coverage provided by Cultural Exchange Visitor program sponsors
• Job placement
• A scheduled interview with the employer via Skype or with Speedwing agents

You can learn more about what’s included in the price here on Speedwing’s website.

What’s not included in the price?

You’ll have to dig your own wallet to pay for these:

• Flight ticket (around RM2,800 round trip depending on which part of the country you go)
• Accommodation (some accommodations will be arranged by the employers while you will need to find the accommodations yourself for some. However, you’ll have to pay the weekly rent yourself.)

Totaling the amount, you will roughly be spending RM8,000-10,000 or even slightly more before even boarding the plane. 

What You Need to Know

Pre-departure preparation: what to bring to usa.

In some parts of the country especially on the West Coast, it can be cold even in the summer.

The best example would be Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, where the night can reach 10 degrees Celsius with a bone-chilling sea breeze all the time.

Cold like crazy…

Sometimes it left me wondering why I chose here in the first place… Seriously.

So be sure to check the temperature and climate before you go . Just Google it, it’s not a difficult task at all. You don’t wanna mess up your summer.

For colder part of the country, bring yourself a thick jacket or down jacket if it’s really cold. The thin jacket you wear to the school library is probably not going to do you any good.

If you’re stingy like me, who hates spending on unnecessary stuff, bring yourself a brand new toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, moisturizer, and any toiletries you might need.

Some of my friends even packed Maggi in their luggage. 

I went there with a 43L backpack and a smaller backpack I bring to classes. So I didn’t have much space for anything extra.

Most of the participants prefer preparing their own meals during their stay there to save money. Eating out in restaurants can easily cost you more than $20 per meal. 

You will also be advised to bring a certain amount of US Dollars there. It was $800 when I participated, but I’m not sure whether they’ll change. You’re not likely to be checked when you pass the gate in the USA, but just in case. I have a friend who brought $500 cash only. 

Optional Stuff to Bring

Bringing your own sleeping bag is optional but if you love camping, it will definitely come in handy. Note that camping in the US during the summer can be difficult because the camping spots were booked out really quick. You’ll need to act fast.

Laptops and cameras are optional as well but I brought it because I got a travel blog to take care of (even though I didn’t touch it after my second week there, don’t be like me). If you have two full-time jobs, you probably don’t have much time to spend on the laptop anyway.

I certainly don’t recommend bringing too many things there because you’ll definitely buy something there. Amazon, eBay or premium outlets (which are abundant in the USA) will make sure you return with one more bag. Having too much luggage makes your travel harder too. 

Work & Travel USA Program Application Procedures

I applied for the Malaysian Work & Travel USA Program with Speedwing so I’ll refer everything to what I did with them.

Unlike New Zealand Working Holiday Visa , which I gave a lot of detailed and complete information because I did it myself, Speedwing settled most of my application procedures for the Malaysian Work & Travel USA Program.

So here we go.

Step 1: Choose Your Employer and Workplace

Refer to the list of employers in the Speedwing registration website and you’ll find a lot of employers with different amounts of wages, accommodations, and some brief information.

For some popular employers like Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Yellowstone National Park , you’ll need to grab it as soon as possible because they got filled up real quick. Don’t hesitate for too long. Things are going to be fine and if it’s not, it’s an adventure you’ll remember for life.

Step 2: Register and Pay Deposit

After you make up your mind, there is a register button at the bottom of the page where you get to register for the program.

You will then receive an email from the agent. Follow the instructions and pay the deposit ($100 for me in 2018). Then you’ll be able to choose your First and Second choice of employers from the list.

Feel free to just email the agent in case you have any doubts or questions.

Step 3: Hand in Your Resume

A resume form will be given to you by the agent, all you have to do is fill them up.

That’s an easy task I don’t think it needed further explanation.

Step 4: Skype Interview With Your Employer or Agent

After the resume, you’ll be arranged for an interview with the employer or with a Malaysian agent. In my case, I did my interview with a Speedwing agent.

Most of the time, you’ll pass the interview as long as you speak fluently or at least understand English. The agent told me later that the purpose of the interview is just to test your English communication skills .

So don’t worry too much about that. Just keep smiling. Yeah.

Step 5: Paying for the Program Fee & The Paperwork

Now that you have a job confirmation, you’ll be required to pay all the remaining program fee, which is around $1180 (total amount is around $1280).

If you’re wondering whether you’ll be able to pay off the program fee with the salary you earn in the USA, scroll down to the FAQ part.

After paying the full amount of program fee, you’ll have more paperwork coming up, in order to apply for the J-1 (Exchange Visitor) Visa.

The forms include:

• Medical declaration form
• Program condition agreement
• Insurance policy
• Job offer letter from US Employer
• Proof of student status letter (from your faculty office)
• Proof of English ability

Step 6: Meeting with Speedwing Agent

After paying for your program fee and finishing all those paperwork, you’ll be arranged a meeting with the agent. For West Malaysians, the meeting takes place in Kuala Lumpur.

Here you’ll receive a briefing and orientation to get you ready for your departure to the USA. Prepare all your questions before the meeting and solve them during the meeting.

And remember to take the phone number of the agent , in case you have more questions.

Step 7: Interview for J1 Visa in US Embassy

After all the paperwork, which will take you some time, you’ll be arranged an interview in US Embassy by your agent. Scroll down to the FAQ part for more information.

The procedure was easy, and the whole process usually won’t take longer than an hour. In fact, the interview at the counter itself takes less than 5 minutes for most participants.

Bring the documents required (Your agent will tell you which documents), and present in formal attire.

Now what’s left is buying the flight ticket. Scroll down to the FAQ part to see my recommended way of finding the cheapest flight deals. My return flight tickets were RM2,700.

If you’re interested, check out my exclusive Detailed Guide for Malaysians’ New Zealand Working Holiday Visa.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will i be able to pay off the malaysian work & travel usa program fee with the money earned in the usa.

Most likely, yes, under certain circumstances. In my case, I had $11 per hour working as Rides Operator in Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. Since the accommodation here is complimentary, and with 40 hours per week, I paid off the program fee within 1.5 months.

And I got myself a second job in my second month. If everything goes well and you found yourself a second job, you’ll be able to bring a handful of cash back to Malaysia, even after traveling in the USA after your job ended.

That being said, some people just love shopping and eating out in restaurants, it can’t be helped. So be sure to know what are your priorities, and keep in mind your expenses before overspending!

After talking so several past participants, here are some conclusions I made. If you’re departing to the USA at the end of June, you might not be able to pay off the program fee. There are not many weeks for you to work and earn money because all the jobs must end on 15th September. 

If you have to pay for your own accommodation, it makes it harder to pay off the program fee. Do the maths before you decide further. Be noted that some participants in 2019 were not able to pay off their program fees.

You might want to compare the fee between different agents too. From what I know, Speedwing has the best price, but every agent has different employers, so you’ll have to make the call. 

If money is not an issue for you, and you just want to experience the so-called American culture, then I definitely recommend joining the program. 

Do I Need to Pay Taxes?

You might have heard that Work & Travel participants do not have to pay taxes if they make less than $4,050. Well, that might be true for participants before 2018, before the new regulation under the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act 2017 which removes this allowance amount. 

Work & Travel Program participants now have to pay the federal tax , which is around 10% of our total earning . 

This percentage might change but the fact that we have to pay tax remains. 

There are two main taxes that you’ll notice in your paycheck – federal tax and state tax . As W&T participants, we do not have to pay the state tax . But the state tax will be automatically deducted from your paycheck. Which is why you’ll have to file for a tax refund after you got back to Malaysia. 

Every state has a different form for the state tax refunds, so you’ll have to look them up by yourself. 

Other than those, you’ll also have to pay local/city taxes depending on which state and city you’re working in. You don’t have to worry about this if you’re working in California. 

You might also notice the Social Security Tax and Medicare Tax being deducted from your paycheck. You do not have to pay these taxes and are eligible for tax refunds . Refer to Publication 519 , and go to page 44, and read under the heading ‘ Refund of Taxes Withheld in Error ‘. You’ll find what documents you need to file the tax refund there. 

In some cases, you might owe IRS federal tax and have to pay them more in the end. That was my case because the federal tax wasn’t deducted from my second job paycheck. 

Either you owe have to pay the remaining, or that you overpaid the tax and eligible for tax refund (which is not likely), you have to file the Form 1040NR-EZ (not Form 1040NR, which is a different form). Your agent will probably send this form to your email after your job ends. 

Just use the Contact Us form above if you have any other questions on this topic, I’ll try my best to help. 

Bringing $800 To Enter US?

Some of my friends did not bring the full amount and got past the security. None of my friends, including me, were checked whether we have $800 cash in pocket.

But I still highly recommend you bring it, $800 isn’t a lot compared to other countries. (It’s still hella crazy amount, more than RM3000! Well, at least for me, it is.)

Summer and Winter Work & Travel USA in the same year?

I’ve asked Speedwing the same question but unfortunately, it’s not possible to do the Work & Travel USA Program in the same year for both summer and winter season .

However, it’s possible to participate in the programs several times as long as they are not in the same year .

Going Before Convocation

I went for the program when I finished my second year in the public university. There was a 3-months long semester break so I went for the program and return for my third year in September. All you need is a student letter to prove you’re an active full-time tertiary student.

Note that if you’re having a gap year, you will not be accepted into the program.

It’s okay to participate in the program after your last semester as long as you applied during the application date.

Can I go during my gap year?

I’m having a 3-months semester break from my university, can i join the program.

Yes, absolutely. That’s what I did. Malaysian public university often offers a 3-months semester break in the summer (June to August).

But do understand that you’ll probably not be able to travel for a long time after your job ends, as you’ll have to rush back to start your new semester. (I skipped class for 2 weeks so I think you can consider it too, it’s not likely that you’ll have to chance to get back to the USA anyway. Might as well be the bad guy.)

How do I check for the cheapest flight?

I always use Skyscanner to check for the cheapest flight. Most of the time, United Airlines offers the cheapest return flight around RM2,800 depending on where you intend to go.

Booking super early isn’t necessarily cheaper because most of the time, the flight will not be booked out after all. Book your flight after everything is confirmed.

Having a transit in China is not recommended by the agent (from what I heard from my friend who went there in 2019). I’m not so sure what could go wrong, but it’s best if you ask your agent before booking your flight tickets. 

I’m from East Malaysia, how will I conduct the visa interview?

The interviews are only carried out in Kuala Lumpur. So you’ll have to expect yourself flying all the way from East Malaysia to Kuala Lumpur just for the short interview in the US Embassy.

Can I participate in the program for more than one time?

Yes, as long as it’s not within the same year, and you’re still a student.

Do I need to pay a deposit prior to registration?

Yes, $100 to show your sincere interest in the program. The deposit is non-refundable even if you changed your mind afterward.

It’s only refundable if somehow your application failed. But there’s T&C for this, so you’ll have to email Speedwing about that.

Which SIM Card should I buy in the US?

Different telecom companies have different connectivity in different parts of the country. Check here to see which company is ideal for your workplace location.

Some phones are not able to receive the frequency in the USA well. You can check whether your phone is compatible in the USA or not here .

Which kind of job is the best? What are your recommendations?

I personally love working in theme parks. There is much more fun there and you will definitely have a lot of friends from different nations around the world. Great for cultural exchange.

I hate housekeeping, dishwashing, janitor or similar jobs. They are boring and extremely physically demanding. You will probably have fewer friends than participants working in theme parks. But in the end, it’s still yours to decide.

If you’re up for making lots of cash in the USA, be sure to check the offered wages before applying. And also, ask the past participants (if you could find them) on whether it’s possible to work OT for the 1.5x pay. Most employers do not allow OT though. 

I had two jobs – primary job in Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and a second job in a fast-food restaurant, Jack in the Box. I worked 80 hours a week (surprisingly a lot of Work & Travel USA participants are hardcore workers), and I’m happy with both of the jobs.

So good luck in finding your ideal jobs, or second jobs.

How many nationalities will be participating in the program?

A lot. If you really want to know how many countries, visit this CIEE site .

Can I request to be in the same room with other Malaysians or my friends?

Some employers allow special requests on accommodations so you can request whatever you need there. Most Malaysians request to be in the same room with Malaysians because the culture is similar.

At least you won’t have European roommates blasting EDMs in your room, which most of them do.

Should I go with my friends?

Yea, why not? Some employers in the Malaysian Work & Travel Program allow participants to come in pairs, friends or couples. Remember to check beforehand!

Can I Join The W&T Winter Program?

Yes, as long as you’re in your final year. The application date for the Winter program starts around June or July. During that time, you’re still a student so you should have no problem asking for the proof of student status from your faculty. 

The program requires you to be a student  during your application.  If you graduate and have convocation in November, but the program starts in December, it’s no problem. 

The reason why you must be in your final year is that you have classes from December to March so it’s not possible to participate. I’m talking from the perspective of a public university student, your university might work differently. 

Ready For Malaysian Work & Travel USA Program?

The USA has been a dream for a lot of tertiary students in Malaysia. Most Malaysians never set foot in this country their entire lifetime. It’s a great privilege to be able to participate in this program and it did bring positive impacts to my life and perspectives.

I had a lot more stories to tell and I had a lot of self-improvements. That’s why I want to help more people to make this a reality instead of a dream we tell our bestie on Facebook. If you have any suggestions, feel free to comment below!

Please share it with those who are interested. As usual, happy traveling and have a nice day ahead.

Yen is a university student from Malaysia and a huge fan of Blues music and photography. His passion for travel can be traced back to 2016 when he spent 6 months traveling New Zealand. By blending into the locals and traveling long-term, he shares all the comprehensive and detailed travel ideas and guides for the countries with his footprints.

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30 thoughts on “Malaysian Work & Travel USA Step-by-Step Guide 2020 Updated”

Him I would like to ask that, if i graduated in march 2019, but my convocation is one november. Probably mid of november. Then i would like to register for the program on july, am i still eligible for the program?

Hey Sam, as long as you haven’t attended the convocation, you’re still a student. So yea, you’re still eligible for the program. But unfortunately, the application closed a month or two ago, it’s too late to apply for the program now. The application opens around December every year and closes around February depending on the slots.

Wow 2 jobs and 80 hours week! What job pay the most? Is it waiter because they tip?

Probably due to peer pressure haha, majority of my friends there (not only Malaysians) are working two jobs, and some of them are making double my wages. The waiter job in fast food restaurant pay $0.50 more per hour, but it’s not that common to receive tips in fast food restaurants. It’s much easier to get tips when you’re working in cafes or some dining restaurants.

What job would you recommend to maximise profit?

if I have applied leave of absence in university, can I still apply for this program?

Do you mean something like gap year? As far as I know, gap year does not make you eligible for the program. But I suggest you email Speedwing or other agents to ask for more information about that. Hope this helps. 🙂

Hi, if my convocation in aug 2020, and I would like to register the summer season WAT 2020, which means that I have to sacrifice to attend my convo?

Every employer has a different start date and end date. But most of the jobs do end in August to early September. If you’re taking your travel into account, say, maybe 10 days of traveling around the country after your job ends, you might not be able to make it for your convo. If your convo is in early August, you might have to sacrifice that. But still, I think it’s better if you wait until the application opens, and see which employer suits your time best. Hope this helps. 🙂

Hi Yen, ur information was very helpful..U even made me became more determined to enroll with WAT program. btw, I’m curious abt the working hours. Did u asked ur employer abt OT during interview? one more question, may I know how much was ur weekly spending for food and housing? Cause wonder if I can guarantee to get back the whole program fee.

Hey Catherine, thanks for reading! For my job in Santa Cruz last year, I never interviewed with the employer, but instead with the Malaysian agent. I didn’t ask her about OT back then. For the working hours, most of the employers don’t allow more than 40 hours per week (Overtime). But I heard there are very little employers who don’t mind. Most of the time, you’ll get to work 30-40 hours per week. I spend very little on food since I rarely ate in restaurants. I cooked most of my meals or brought back from my second job place (fast food restaurant). And for accommodation, I did not have to pay because there is free accommodation for Santa Cruz. Most of the employers do charge for accommodation while for some, you have to find your own place to stay. So, for my case, the rough weekly spendings on food and accommodation are less than $20. For other employers, housing fee varies a lot, but usually, it won’t exceed $100 per week. From what I calculated last time, it’s almost a guarantee that you’ll get back the whole program fee and flight ticket as long as you don’t spend too much on travel or shopping. If you need more help just use the Contact Us form above, and I’ll help you as much as I can. 🙂

Hi thanks for this post i really get informed from this, I want to ask a few more things I read this ‘Participants who are required to return to school can only remain in the USA on the program until the last day of their school vacation and must return in time to start the new semester.’ but you have skipped the class 2 weeks how is that possible can you give me some tips and also for the filght tickets i should buy it before i got my visa or after i got my visa. thanks

Replied through an email, check your inbox! 😀

Hi, asking about step 6 the proof of english ability, how can i prove it? And for the proof of student status, is it having university verification letter will do or need to give your results too?

Hey Melissa, there will be a part in the form where you have to find someone to prove your English ability. I asked for help from my English lecturer for that. For proof of student status, university verification letter will do, you don’t have to submit your results. Just make sure it’s not outdated.

Hi, I would like to ask whether I am available to join WAT summer 2021 if my exam week ends in last week of June? When is the application date?

Yes, you can join, but maybe you’ll start a bit later because most of the applicants start around early or mid-June. The downside is that you’ll have a harder time getting a second job, but it’s still possible to get one. Also, you might not be able to cover back the initial cost (registration fee, program fee, flight ticket, etc). The application starts around early November every year. 🙂

Hi yen , I would like to know like myself just this year 2019 September graduate and have already convocation this year September 2019 is it still possible for apply work and travel in USA And one more question is my friend have graduate 2018 is it also still available for apply? Thanks

Unfortunately, you got to have student status during the application. Since you’ve graduated and no longer a student, it’s not possible to apply for W&T USA program. There are other programs you can check out, like New Zealand Working Holiday, which I covered in another article. Hope this helps. 🙂

Thanks for the useful information. Are you still traveling around the world? LEt’s say, I am successfully applied for this program and work there. Can I buy a new camera over there and bring it back to Malaysia? Am I able to pass the kastam(gate at USA to Malaysia)?

Hey, thanks for reading! I’m not traveling right now, gotta be saving up first haha! Sure you can buy a new camera there and bring back without any problems. I got myself a GoPro and an electric guitar there too. Most of the people who went for W&T program will do a ton of shopping, there are so many outlets there to buy things. Online shopping is also super easy there, it’s kinda hard to resist, to be honest. 😀

Wow, You reply within 5 minutes! I had read this for a several times hahaha! to be familiar with the program I gonna apply! You mentioned the second job, meaning that we have to find our second job by ourselves? Also we can travel for one month, but did you use that month to work instead? hahaha. This is my final year in university, and I probably going for the summer season. But, I also secretly wish that I can bring some cash back Malaysia.

Hey, I was on the laptop anyway haha. Yup, you’ll have to find the second job all by yourself, mostly through friends or cold walk-in interviews. Not so easy if you’re not lucky. For the one month, it’s not possible to work because the work visa is only valid until the day you end the job. The work visa doesn’t work for the one month, so you have to either travel there for one whole month or get home any time within that one month. I traveled for 2 weeks, and I think that was enough since the expenses are quite high there. Kinda impossible to do budget backpack travel. If you’re final year student, I’m afraid it might be too late to apply now. The summer season application opens in November 2019, and it’s long closed now. You can still apply for the winter season though, the job starts around November 2020 until March 2021. The application starts around May or June this year when you’re still a student.

Hi! I have messaged Speedwing. I mean I gonna apply for 2021 summer! Btw, What you wear at Santa Clauz Broadwalk since the temperature is quite cold there. Packing: What should I bring there? One month for travel: How do you travel from one place to another? Money Earn: How to save those money since we don’t have a bank account oversea? Break: The break is only 10-15minutes? :O That’s very little. Do you mean lunch break?

Oh nice, good for you. It’s Santa Cruz by the way. They will provide a uniform and long trouser along with a thick jacket for all employees. I would suggest bringing an extra jacket there though. As for what else to pack, I pack quite minimal but I’ve seen people bringing food from Malaysia, Maggi etc. I traveled for 2 weeks and we rented a car, it’s quite cheap to be honest. You’ll have to open a bank account there in order to receive your wages from the employer, most of us opened Wells Fargo or Bank of America. Lunch break would be 30 minutes, the 15 minutes break were short breaks before and after your lunch break, each. Hope these help. 🙂

I know it’s way too early to ask you this but I’m planning ahead for this WAT program probably in Summer 2022 where I’ll be finishing my degree, so better I plan out early so that I can be financially prepared for it.

You have stated that you can pay off the remaining fee with the salary earned there. My question is: Is it compulsory for us to pay full beforehand or is there a minimum amount that can be paid first and you can pay the remaining amount when you’re in the States? Since I’m planning to save up and use my own money, I don’t want to rely on my old folks hahah. I know my question sounds complicated but I do hope you can assist me. Thank you in advance, Ken.

You will have to pay them a $100 deposit first, then, after you finished interviewing with them, you’ll have to pay in full amount before you get to fly to USA. 🙂

Understood. Thank you for the prompt reply, Ken!

Hi, Yen! May i ask if i have US passport, i need to pay 1280 as well? Since i born in New York but never stay there before.

Hey Grace, apologies for the late response. As far as I know, this program is for Malaysians only. If you insist on joining the program, I would suggest getting in touch with agents like Speedwing and get some ideas from them. Hope this helps! 😀

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Has remote work changed how people travel in the US?

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The prevalence of remote work since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic has significantly changed urban transportation patterns in the U.S., according to new study led by MIT researchers.

The research finds significant variation between the effects of remote work on vehicle miles driven and on mass-transit ridership across the U.S.

“A 1 percent decrease in onsite workers leads to a roughly 1 percent reduction in [automobile] vehicle miles driven, but a 2.3 percent reduction in mass transit ridership,” says Yunhan Zheng SM ’21, PhD ’24, an MIT postdoc who is co-author of a the study.

“This is one of the first studies that identifies the causal effect of remote work on vehicle miles traveled and transit ridership across the U.S.,” adds Jinhua Zhao, an MIT professor and another co-author of the paper.

By accounting for many of the nuances of the issue, across the lower 48 states and the District of Columbia as well as 217 metropolitan areas, the scholars believe they have arrived at a robust conclusion demonstrating the effects of working from home on larger mobility patterns.

The paper, “ Impacts of remote work on vehicle miles traveled and transit ridership in the USA ,” appears today in the journal Nature Cities . The authors are Zheng, a doctoral graduate of MIT’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering and a postdoc at the Singapore–MIT Alliance for Research and Technology (SMART); Shenhao Wang PhD ’20, an assistant professor at the University of Florida; Lun Liu, an assistant professor at Peking University; Jim Aloisi, a lecturer in MIT’s Department of Urban Studies and Planning (DUSP); and Zhao, the Professor of Cities and Transportation, founder of the MIT Mobility Initiative, and director of MIT’s JTL Urban Mobility Lab and Transit Lab.

The researchers gathered data on the prevalence of remote work from multiple sources, including Google location data, travel data from the U.S. Federal Highway Administration and the National Transit Database, and the monthly U.S. Survey of Working Arrangements and Attitudes (run jointly by Stanford University, the University of Chicago, ITAM, and MIT).

The study reveals significant variation among U.S. states when it comes to how much the rise of remote work has affected mileage driven.

“The impact of a 1 percent change in remote work on the reduction of vehicle miles traveled in New York state is only about one-quarter of that in Texas,” Zheng observes. “There is real variation there.”

At the same time, remote work has had the biggest effect on mass-transit revenues in places with widely used systems, with New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, Boston, and Philadelphia making up the top five hardest-hit metro areas.

The overall effect is surprisingly consistent over time, from early 2020 through late 2022.

“In terms of the temporal variation, we found that the effect is quite consistent across our whole study period,” Zheng says. “It’s not just significant in the early stage of the pandemic, when remote work was a necessity for many. The magnitude remains consistent into the later period, when many people have the flexibility to choose where they want to work. We think this may have long-term implications.”

Additionally, the study estimates the impact that still larger numbers of remote workers could have on the environment and mass transit.

“On a national basis, we estimate that a 10 percent decrease in the number of onsite workers compared to prepandemic levels will reduce the annual total vehicle-related CO2 emissions by 191.8 million metric tons,” Wang says.

The study also projects that across the 217 metropolitan areas in the study, a 10 percent decrease in the number of onsite workers, compared to prepandemic levels, would lead to an annual loss of 2.4 billion transit trips and $3.7 billion in fare revenue — equal to roughly 27 percent of the annual transit ridership and fare revenue in 2019.

“The substantial influence of remote work on transit ridership highlights the need for transit agencies to adapt their services accordingly, investing in services tailored to noncommuting trips and implementing more flexible schedules to better accommodate the new demand patterns,” Zhao says.

The research received support from the MIT Energy Initiative; the Barr Foundation; the National Research Foundation, Prime Minister’s Office, Singapore under its Campus for Research Excellence and Technological Enterprise program; the Research Opportunity Seed Fund 2023 from the University of Florida; and the Beijing Social Science Foundation.

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USCIS Increases Automatic Extension of Certain Employment Authorization Documents to Improve Access to Work Permits

WASHINGTON — Building on extensive modernization efforts that have streamlined and improved access to work permits for eligible noncitizens, USCIS today announced a  temporary final rule (TFR) to increase the automatic extension period for certain employment authorization documents (EADs) from up to 180 days to up to 540 days. This announcement follows improvements that have reduced processing times for EADs significantly over the past year.

The temporary measure announced today will prevent already work-authorized noncitizens from having their employment authorization and documentation lapse while waiting for USCIS to adjudicate their pending EAD renewal applications and better ensure continuity of operations for U.S. employers. This is the latest step by the Biden-Harris Administration to get work-authorized individuals into the workforce, supporting the economies where they live.

“Over the last year, the USCIS workforce reduced processing times for most EAD categories, supporting an overall goal to improve work access to eligible individuals.  However, we also received a record number of employment authorization applications, impacting our renewal mechanisms,” said USCIS Director Ur M. Jaddou. “Temporarily lengthening the existing automatic extension up to 540 days will avoid lapses in employment authorizations. At the same time, this rule provides DHS with an additional window to consider long-term solutions by soliciting public comments, and identifying new strategies to ensure those noncitizens eligible for employment authorization can maintain that benefit.”

This TFR aligns with an ongoing effort at USCIS to support employment authorized individuals’ access to work. USCIS has reduced EAD processing times overall and streamlined adjudication processing, including:

• Reducing by half EAD processing times of individuals with pending green card applications from FY2021 to date,
• Processing a record number of EAD applications in the past year, outpacing prior years,
• Engaging with communities to educate work-eligible individuals who were not accessing the process and provide on-the-ground intake support of applications,
• Reducing processing time for EADs for asylum applicants and certain parolees to less than or equal to 30-day median,
• Extending EAD validity period for certain categories from 2 years to 5 years,
• Streamlining the process for refugee EADs, and
• Expanding online filing for EADs to asylum applications and parolees.

This temporary measure will apply to eligible applicants who timely and properly filed an EAD renewal application on or after Oct. 27, 2023, if the application is still pending on the date of publication in the Federal Register. The temporary final rule will also apply to eligible EAD renewal applicants who timely and properly file their Form I-765 application during a 540-day period that begins with the rule’s publication in the Federal Register.

Absent this measure, nearly 800,000 EAD renewal applicants – including those eligible for employment authorization as asylees or asylum applicants, Temporary Protected Status (TPS) applicants or recipients, and green card applicants – would be in danger of experiencing a lapse in their employment authorization, and approximately 60,000 to 80,000 employers would be negatively impacted as a result of such a lapse. EADs are generally valid for the length of the authorized parole period. This TFR does not extend the length of parole.

Since May 12, 2023 to March 13, 2024, DHS has removed or returned over 617,000 individuals, the vast majority of whom crossed the Southwest Border, including more than 97,000 individual family members. The majority of all individuals encountered at the southwest border over the past three years have been removed, returned, or expelled. Total removals and returns since mid-May exceed removals and returns in every full fiscal year since 2011.

As part of this temporary final rule, USCIS is soliciting feedback from the public that would inform potential future regulatory action. For more information, visit our  Automatic Employment Authorization Document Extension page .

For more information about USCIS, please visit  uscis.gov  or follow us on  Twitter ,  Instagram ,  YouTube ,  Facebook , and  LinkedIn .

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Planning to Combine Business and Leisure Travel? You’re Not Alone.

As employees increasingly add leisure time to their business trips, companies are trying to figure out where their duty of care obligations begin and end.

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By Amy Zipkin

• April 7, 2024

On a Sunday in late January, Melinda Buchmann, who lives in Florida and supervises client relations for RevShoppe, a 30-person remote company advising organizations on sales techniques and strategies, arrived in Banff, Alberta, to help set up a four-day company meeting.

The last day of the event, her husband, Josh, a director of strategic partnerships for the delivery company DoorDash , who also works remotely, joined her. They spent two leisurely days hiking in Banff National Park and visiting Lake Louise.

“I take advantage, because I don’t know when I’m going to return,” Ms. Buchmann said of the decision to combine downtime with a business trip.

As postpandemic work life has changed, and arrangements now include full-time office attendance as well as hybrid and remote work, so, too, has business travel. The phenomenon known as bleisure, or blended business and leisure travel, was initially embraced largely by digital nomads . But such combined travel is now also popular with people outside that group . Allied Market Research, a subsidiary of Allied Analytics, based in Portland, Ore., estimated that the bleisure travel market was $315.3 billion in 2022 and would reach $731.4 billion by 2032.

As employees increasingly add leisure time to their business trips, companies are struggling to determine where their legal obligation to protect employees from harm — their so-called duty of care — begins and ends. And workers may think that because their trip started with business, they will get all the help they need if something goes wrong on the leisure end. Instead, they should generally consider the leisure part of a trip as a regular vacation where they cover all expenses and contingencies.

Companies are responsible for knowing where their employees are during a business trip, covering expenses if an accident or emergency occurs, securing new lodging if a hotel is damaged, even swapping out a broken down rental car. Still, it’s not entirely clear if that coverage ends completely after the conference or the last client meeting.

Companies recognize that threats are increasing, said Robert Cole, senior research analyst focusing on lodging and leisure travel at Phocuswright, a market research company. They are trying to figure out how to take care of a valuable company resource, the employee, without leaving themselves open to financial risk or potential litigation.

“Crafting a comprehensive policy that balances business objectives, employee well-being and legal considerations can be challenging,” Nikolaos Gkolfinopoulos, head of tourism at ICF, a consulting and technology services company in Reston, Va., wrote in an email.

Employees may be on their own without realizing it and may be surprised by out-of-pocket expenses if they require hospital care abroad or evacuation, said Suzanne Morrow, chief executive of InsureMyTrip , an online insurance travel comparison site in Warwick, R.I.

Ms. Morrow said medical coverage provided by a company “is generally only for the dates of the actual business trip abroad.” If travelers are extending the trip for personal travel, she added, “they would want to secure emergency medical coverage for that additional time abroad.”

Employers and employees are left to figure out when the business portion of the trip ends and the leisure segment begins, a significant detail if an employee has a medical emergency. “Where does the corporation liability end?” said Kathy Bedell, senior vice president at BCD Travel, a travel management company.

Companies have varying policies to deal with the new travel amalgam. The chief executive of RevShoppe, Patricia McLaren, based in Austin, Texas, said the company provided flexible travel options and allowed employees to work anywhere they choose.

Even so, there are constraints. The company requires all employees, including executives, to sign liability and insurance waivers when they are on a voluntary company-sponsored trip, such as an off-site meeting. Such waivers typically place responsibility on employees for their own well-being. And if they bring someone, they are responsible for that person’s expenses.

Employees are responsible for requesting the paid time off and notifying their managers of their whereabouts, although that part is not a requirement. Managers have to ensure adequate staffing, Ms. McLaren said.

Elsewhere, employees may not bother to mention the leisure portion of their trip. Eliot Lees, a vice president and managing director at ICF, said he had been on trips as a child with his parents when they combined business and leisure. His parents were academics, who would piggyback vacations onto conferences.

Now he does the same. “I don’t think I ever asked for approval,” he said. (ICF has no formal business-leisure travel policy. It’s allowed as part of personal time off.) After a conference in the Netherlands last year, he spent four days hiking in the northern part of the country.

“I go anywhere, and take more risks than I should,” he said. He said he didn’t carry personal travel or accident insurance.

Any nonchalance may quickly evaporate if a threat emerges. Security experts say even low-risk locations can become high-risk for a few days or weeks of the year.

“Companies are concerned about losing visibility into a traveler’s whereabouts if they booked flights and hotels outside their corporate travel management company,” Benjamin Thorne, senior intelligence manager in London for Crisis24, a subsidiary of GardaWorld, wrote in an email. “The company may think the traveler is in one city when, in reality, they could have booked a holiday package to another nearby city. This lack of visibility by the company makes it difficult to support travelers when a disaster occurs.”

He also raised the possibility that “a traveler with bleisure travel reservations and expectations may find their work trip canceled due to changes in the risk environment or company policy, disrupting their leisure plans.”

Will a company step in off hours if there’s a problem? “That depends on how you are booked,” Mr. Cole, the senior research analyst at Phocuswright, said. A rule of thumb is the further you get from corporate control, the greater the gray area gets.

Half of GoldSpring Consulting’s clients take the responsibility for the entire trip, said Will Tate, a partner at the consultancy based in Cross Roads, Texas, and a certified public accountant. They don’t want the reputational risk. The other half say: “The business trip ended Friday. That’s when we end our duty of care.”

Some companies are trying to define and narrow the gray area. “If you are clearly on personal time, there is no legal requirement for your employer to provide for you,” said Nicole Page, a lawyer whose practice includes employment law at Reavis Page Jump in New York.

Uber provides employees with advisories before a trip, travel assessments, safety tips while traveling and emergency travel assistance, including medical aid, airport travel support, urgent and emergency assistance, and lost or stolen personal property insurance whether they are on business or pleasure travel or a combination.

And at DoorDash, Chris Cherry, head of global safety and security, wrote in an email that “while personal travel is not something we track, we have received requests to extend our travel support capabilities to personal travel.” Mr. Cherry said in those cases, the company has manually added employee leisure itineraries to its travel risk management system and “provided the same level of overwatch that we do for regular business travel.”

The Buchmanns plan to travel this month to Barcelona, Spain, for the McDonald’s Worldwide Convention. DoorDash will have a booth, and Mr. Buchmann will work on the exhibit floor and also entertain clients.

Ms. Buchmann will accompany him. She plans to go sightseeing in the morning, and work in the afternoons and evenings Barcelona time. She will also take three days of paid time off and has shared her plans with Ms. McLaren, the RevShoppe chief executive.

They will stay a day after the conference and plan to visit the Dalí Theater and Museum in Figueres. “I’m sure there will be no shortage of tapas and window shopping along way,” Mr. Buchmann said. He expects to be back at work the next Monday.

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Breaking news, dc ranked the hardest-working city in us — with nyc coming in at just no. 99.

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New York has a lot of work to do to rise on this list.

Washington, DC, has been named the hardest-working city in America — ranking high above New York, which came in just 99th on the list, according to a study done by WalletHub.

Even Jersey City and Columbus, Ohio, outranked the City That Never Sleeps, pulling in at 56 and 68, respectively.

“Most everybody in this country are hard workers, but Washington, DC? I mean, they’re hard workers, too, but still…” David Owens, 79, who owns a vintage shop in the Lower East Side, told The Post.

“I’m surprised that NY is number 99. I’m sure most New Yorkers would feel they’re No. 1.” 

DC pulled a total score of 76.97 compared to New York’s score of 53.70.

The capital took the crown due to factors such as having the “highest share of workers who leave vacation time unused,” with 64% of workers doing so, according to the study.

The study determined a city’s rank based on 11 metrics that were divided into two sections: “Direct Work Factors,” which took up 80% of the score, and “Indirect Work Factors.” The study also included a city from every state.

Some direct working factors included an average number of hours worked per week, employment rate, and shares of households where no adults worked, among others.

Indirect factors included those working multiple jobs and the average commute time, among others.

The country’s capital ranked third for highest hours worked per week on average, although the study did not say how many hours that included.

The average American works roughly 35 hours per week, WalletHub said.

Another reason the District of Columbia residents ranked high is because many have a commute longer than 30 minutes to the office.

The average commuter in the Big Apple takes more than 60 minutes to get to work, with 15.5% of travelers falling in this category, according to 2022 US Census data. The average travel time is 31.4 minutes.

According to Census data, the average commute in DC is 30.1 minutes, with 21.5% of commuters falling in the 20 to 25-minute range. Compared to NYC, only 7.7% of commuters take more than 60 minutes to get to work.

Many might be surprised to see Irving, Texas, taking the second spot on the list, but WalletHub explains the Southern city is there due to having the lowest share of households where no adults work, with 11% falling in that category.

It also ranked ninth in the country for longest hours worked and having a lower amount of leisure time, according to the study.

Cheyenne, Wyoming, takes third, as 97% of adults work.

Although it did not explain why NYC ranked so low, many residents told The Post they disagreed.

“I don’t know how it’s possible for NYC to rank so low given how expensive life here is and how long and hard people have to work in order to afford to live here,” NYU professor Zhana Vrangalova, 42, said.

“This year I’ve been working an average of 10 hours a day, six days a week, sometimes seven.”

Carol, 69, who works in publishing, said: “New Yorkers work really hard. I think that must be wrong.”

One New Yorker, however, agreed with the study.

“The problem with New York is that a lot of people don’t work because the state helps out so much — it makes people lazy,” said Johnny Garcia, a 55-year-old Lyft driver who moved to the Bronx from the Dominican Republic eight years ago.

“The state gives money for everything. Here everyone walks around with coupons. That’s why no one works.”

The Post has reached out to WalletHub for comment.

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Solar Eclipse Will Pass Over Every US City Named Nineveh on April 8, 2024?

A total solar eclipse is caused by the moon and the sun being in exactly the right place at exactly the right time., published april 6, 2024.

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For a couple of minutes on April 8, 2024 , in a narrow, curved band across North America, one of the greatest spectacles in nature will occur: a total solar eclipse. Being in that path at exactly the right time is the only way people on the continent will be able to look directly at the sun without damaging their eyeballs until the next North American eclipse in 2044, and so millions of people from around the world will flock to cities in the path of totality, including Dallas and Indianapolis.

Eclipses do not discriminate, so anyone in the path of totality will be able to see the sun fully obstructed by the moon. However, some people  have claimed online that there's one interesting coincidence about the eclipse's path of totality: It will pass through every city in the United States named Nineveh. That name is shared by an ancient city in modern-day Iraq that was described in the bible as "evil." 

Snopes received an email from a reader who requested that we check the claim about cities named Nineveh in the eclipse path. In our research, we discovered that many of the people making the claim were Christians who were interpreting the eclipse as a bad omen . 

Contrary to the claims, Snopes discovered that the path of totality in the eclipse does not pass through seven cities in the United States named Nineveh — it passes through just two. But before counting places named Nineveh, we must first briefly clarify how eclipses work.

How Eclipses Work

A total solar eclipse is caused by the moon and the sun being in exactly the right place at exactly the right time. The moon fully blocks the light from the sun, casting a large shadow on the earth.

Those completely inside the moon's shadow, called the umbra, are the only ones who will be able to look directly at the sun without eye protection. It's the small path of the umbra that people travel to in order to see the total solar eclipse. The website GreatAmericanEclipse.com created a visualization of the shadow's path across North America.

Outside the umbra, in a much larger area where the moon blocks only some of the sun, viewers will experience a partial solar eclipse, where the sun looks like it has a giant bite taken out of it. You cannot view a partial solar eclipse without special eclipse glasses. The entirety of the continental United States will be able to see a partial solar eclipse on April 8, just as the entirety of the United States (even Alaska and Hawaii) was able to see a partial solar eclipse in  2017 . 

The cool part (partial) of an eclipse can be seen from a very large area, as long as you wear eclipse glasses. The really cool part (total) of an eclipse can be seen only in a small area. It is the total eclipse that people have thought held religious significance since practically as long as humans have had eyes to see and religions to follow.

To quote the essayist Annie Dillard :

A partial eclipse is very interesting. It bears almost no relation to a total eclipse. Seeing a partial eclipse bears the same relation to seeing a total eclipse as kissing a man does to marrying him, or as flying in an airplane does to falling out of an airplane. Although the one experience precedes the other, it in no way prepares you for it. 

Places Named Nineveh

We started with Wikipedia's list of places named Nineveh to get a general idea of where to look. Of course, we cross checked those results with more-reliable sources of knowledge, including Google Maps and data from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Wikipedia listed just six places in the U.S. named Nineveh, which made our claim of seven dubious to begin with. Checking the locations of those places on Google Maps, we found that three were actually townships, a term used for county subdivisons in some states. 

The first was the largest, Indiana's Nineveh Township (south of Indianapolis), which contains a small hamlet of the same name. Both the township and the hamlet will indeed fall in the path of the total eclipse.

Next, Wikipedia listed two townships in Missouri — one in Adair County (about halfway between Kansas City and Davenport, Iowa) and one in Lincoln County (about an hour northwest of St. Louis). But neither of the two townships contained a village named Nineveh on any of the maps we looked at. Furthermore, neither of the townships fell in the path of the total eclipse. 

The fourth place on Wikipedia's list, Nineveh, New York, is about 30 minutes east of Binghamton. We found it marked on maps but, again, it did not lie in the path of totality.

Fifth: Nineveh, Pennsylvania, roughly halfway between Pittsburgh and Morgantown, West Virginia. This Nineveh was marked on maps, but it was also outside of the total eclipse. It was also the last Nineveh listed by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Sixth, we found Nineveh, Virginia, an hour and a half west of Washington, D.C. This was the easiest to check: Nobody in the state of Virginia will be able to see full totality during the eclipse. We did not find a label for Nineveh on maps, and buildings located in the area had their postal addresses listed as White Post, Virginia.

That completed the Wikipedia list, but various posts about the supposed line-up listed two more Ninevehs located in the U.S.: one in Texas and one in Ohio.

Nineveh, Texas, was not marked on maps, nor did it have a post office. It was located not far off of Interstate 45 halfway between Houston and Dallas. This one was close, but we eventually confirmed that it would be outside of the zone of totality by referencing nearby cities that also were outside of totality.

Nineveh, Ohio, was a similar story: not found on maps, no post office, no Census data. But this Nineveh, 30 minutes northwest of Dayton, was finally our second hit.

In total, we counted two places named Nineveh in the United States that could be found in the path of totality.

2024 Total Eclipse . https://science.nasa.gov/eclipses/future-eclipses/eclipse-2024/. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

"A Total Eclipse Is near. For Some, It's Evidence of Higher Power. For Others It's a Warning." USA TODAY , https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2024/03/23/2024-total-solar-exclipse-religious-implications/72869724007/. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

April 8, 2024 Eclipse Will Pass Over 7 United States Cities Named Nineveh . www.youtube.com , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3n6dp85XynY. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

April 8 Eclipse and Third-Day Events in Scripture . https://www.biblejournalclasses.com/blog/april-8-eclipse-and-third-day-events-in-scripture-2. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Dawson, Brandon. "THE JONAH ECLIPSE - 40 DAYS - GODS URGENT WARNING TO AMERICA!" Tribe of Christians , 2 Mar. 2024, https://www.tribeofchristians.com/single-post/the-jonah-eclipse-god-s-great-warning-to-america-april-8th-2024.

Dillard, Annie. "Total Eclipse." The Atlantic , 8 Aug. 2017, https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2017/08/annie-dillards-total-eclipse/536148/.

Eclipse 2017 . https://eclipse2017.nasa.gov/. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Mark, Joshua J. "Nineveh." World History Encyclopedia , https://www.worldhistory.org/nineveh/. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

"Nineveh (Disambiguation)." Wikipedia , 29 Oct. 2023. Wikipedia , https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nineveh_(disambiguation)&oldid=1182408744.

Noah. "The Upcoming U.S. Eclipse Just Got Even Stranger!" WLT Report , 4 Mar. 2024, https://wltreport.com/2024/03/04/upcoming-u-s-eclipse-just-got-even-stranger/.

The APRIL 8, 2024 ECLIPSE & The 7 Cities Named Nineveh | The APRIL 8, 2024 ECLIPSE & The 7 Cities Named Nineveh | By Messiah GuguFacebook . www.facebook.com , https://www.facebook.com/100067092253715/videos/the-april-8-2024-eclipse-the-7-cities-named-nineveh/397509926249711/. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

The April 8 2024 Eclipse and the 7 Cities Named Nineveh . www.youtube.com , https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eLkxKT65IFc. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

"Total Solar Eclipse 2024 US." Great American Eclipse , https://www.greatamericaneclipse.com/april-8-2024. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

By Jack Izzo

Jack Izzo is a Chicago-based journalist and two-time "Jeopardy!" alumnus.

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Want to see the next total solar eclipse in 2026? An expert recommends booking travel now.

• 2026 will be Europe's first total solar eclipse in 27 years.
• Travelers worldwide will likely head to Spain, Iceland, and Greenland for the event.
• A hotel expert encouraged travelers to start planning and booking their trips now.

It'll be two decades before the next total solar eclipse hits the US .

Another option: hop on a plane to Europe and turn the 2026 total solar eclipse into a viewing vacation.

Eclipse cartographer Michael Zeiler at GreatAmericanEclipse.com told Space.com that up to 3.7 million people likely traveled for the solar eclipse on Monday.

HotelPlanner's chief communication officer, Philip Ballard, told Business Insider that the eclipse was a major revenue generator for many cities. For places like Austin, Texas, and Rochester, New York, it could have created $1 billion in revenue, Vox reported.

"I would say the total solar eclipse has become a global phenomenon," Ballard said.

Ballard added that the next solar eclipse , which will pass through Iceland, Greenland, and Spain on August 12, 2026, could result in similar tourism and revenue influxes.

And if travelers are considering a trip to Europe for the solar eclipse, Ballard recommends planning your trip now.

Determine your eclipse viewing destination

According to Space.com , 2026 will be Europe's first total solar eclipse in 27 years. Its path will go through Greenland, parts of western Iceland, and northern Spain.

Choosing where to watch the eclipse will be a tough and important decision for travelers.

Iceland and Greenland have some positives. These regions will experience longer totality times, so viewers can watch the eclipse longer. Plus, the sun will be higher in the sky, so finding a spot to watch the eclipse will be less challenging, Space.com reported.

The downside is that these regions are more likely to be cloudy, according to the outlet.

Related stories

While parts of Spain are likely to offer clearer skies, the eclipse's timing will be shorter and closer to the horizon, which means travelers will need to plan and track down a viewing location with unobstructed views of the western horizon, Space.com reported.

Regardless of the destination, according to the outlet, one bonus is that the strongest meteor shower in the Northern Hemisphere will happen the following night, so travelers can pack two events into one trip.

Book flights and hotels far in advance

Ballard encouraged people to book their hotels in their destination of choice as far in advance as possible.

"You should start looking now and booking hotels now because those cities in the path are already going to be at peak season," Ballard said.

Ballard said it's similar to when a Super Bowl city is determined or a Taylor Swift tour date is announced — you immediately see spikes in bookings. He predicts hotel occupancy rates will hit near-record highs, and room prices may double around the solar eclipse date.

Ballard's general rule of thumb is to book international travel at least three months in advance, but since this is such an anticipated event, booking earlier is smart. His advice is to start discussing plans with friends and family. If you decide on a destination, book a refundable room to keep your options open if plans change.

Regarding purchasing a plane ticket, a study from Expedia states that international travel's sweet spot is at least six months in advance.

According to Expedia, travelers who book six months in advance save an average of 10% more than travelers booking within two months or less.

Skip the hassle of planning altogether and book a solar eclipse tour

Another option is to let a tour operator do the work for you. A handful of tour companies have seen the increased interest in the solar eclipse and launched tours designed around the event.

These tours will have predetermined locations to view the eclipse, hotel blocks reserved, and itineraries highlighting both the region and the eclipse.

However, these can sell out quickly. For example, Space and Telescope created an 11-day tour of Spain around viewing the 2026 solar eclipse. The tour has already sold out as of Wednesday, and the waitlist is full.

Other operators, such as Wilderness Travel and Eclipse Traveler, have similar itineraries for the total eclipse in 2026.

Watch: A small Australian town was treated to a rare hybrid solar eclipse

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April 11, 2024 - Israel-Hamas war

By Heather Chen , Antoinette Radford, Tori B. Powell , Aditi Sangal and Elise Hammond , CNN

Our live coverage of Israel's war on Hamas in Gaza has moved  here .

UN committee fails to reach consensus on full Palestinian membership, Security Council president says

From CNN’s Richard Roth and Michael Rios

A specialized UN committee failed to reach a consensus Thursday on Palestinian membership in the United Nations, according to the president of the UN Security Council.

Two-thirds of the committee members were in favor of moving on with membership, with many countries arguing that “Palestine fulfills all the criteria that are required” to be granted full state member status, Malta's Ambassador and Security Council President Vanessa Frazier said. 

She added that no one explicitly objected to the membership qualifications.

Frazier also said she would circulate a draft report on the deliberations as soon as Friday. If the committee doesn’t agree on the report, it could hold another meeting to iron out any differences.

Asked whether the process of deliberating Palestinian membership in the committee is now over, Frazier said, “Unless the next step of agreeing (to) the report of the committee warrants another meeting to iron out the differences, it’s not foreseen that there would be any further committee action.”

But she noted that any UN Security Council member can still table a resolution to vote on Palestinian membership at any time, regardless of the committee's report.

The US and Middle East brace for a possible Iran attack that could escalate the conflict. Here's the latest

From CNN staff

Concerns about a possible Iranian attack against Israel has prompted many diplomatic conversations around the globe.

Here are some developments on diplomacy around the threat of an attack:

• Iran's statement: The imperative for Tehran to "punish" Israel for the deadly strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus last week might have been avoided if the attack had been condemned at the United Nations, Iran’s Mission to the UN said Thursday.
• US and UK diplomacy: US Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with the foreign ministers of Turkey, China and Saudi Arabia on Wednesday night and Thursday morning to tell them that countries should be urging Iran not to escalate the conflict in the Middle East after  threats made by Tehran against Israel,  according to a State Department spokesperson. The top US general for the Middle East is also in Israel . Additionally, Britain's foreign secretary warned his Iranian counterpart on Thursday that Tehran “must not draw” the Middle East into a wider conflict .
• Israel receives US support: Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant spoke with Blinken and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin. The US officials expressed the country's support for Israel against Iranian threats. Gallant warned that such an attack could lead to a regional escalation.
• Travel restrictions: The US State Department restricted the travel of US government personnel in Israel in the wake of public threats against Israel by Iran. “The security environment remains complex and can change quickly depending on the political situation and recent events,” the alert noted. US officials  are on high alert  for a potential retaliatory strike by Iran or its proxies against Israel.

Meanwhile, here's some other updates:

• Hamas on hostages: A member of Hamas' political bureau said   a prisoner-hostage exchange is being discussed as part of larger ceasefire negotiations. "Part of negotiations is to reach a ceasefire agreement to have enough time and safety to collect final and more precise data" on the hostages held in Gaza, Basem Naim said in a statement on Thursday. "Because they (hostages) are in different palaces, (being held) by different groups, some of them are under the rubble killed with our own people, and we negotiate to get heavy equipment for this purpose."
• Updates on aid to Gaza: It is clear that Israel is working to ramp up humanitarian aid to Gaza, but it has not yet implemented all of the measures it has announced, a top United Nations humanitarian official said. Aid coming in trucks from Israel has to be "segregated from water, from food, from medical items" before it goes into Gaza, said Jamie McGoldrick, the UN’s humanitarian coordinator in Jerusalem. “Getting 400 trucks from Kerem Shalom doesn't mean 400 trucks go into Gaza,” he said, adding that the logistical complications are numerous, and take time to resolve. He also said Israel’s restrictions on movement inside the strip complicate matters.

Anera charity resumes work in Gaza after pausing when Israeli strike killed 7 World Central Kitchen staff

From CNN's Tala Alrajjal and Mohammed Tawfeeq

American Near East Refugee Aid (Anera) has resumed Gaza operations "after a temporary pause" following an airstrike that killed seven World Central Kitchen (WCK) aid workers on April 1.

"As you know, the decision to temporarily pause our operations was not an easy one. We followed the direction of our staff in Gaza, who've faced death, loss, and destruction since the start of the war," Sean Carroll, the president and CEO of Anera, said in a statement on Thursday. "After the killing of Anera staff member Mousa Shawwa , followed by the attack that killed seven aid workers from World Central Kitchen, we made the difficult but necessary decision to pause aid operations on April 2," Carroll added in the statement.

Carroll said Israeli authorities informed him during a meeting Thursday that "certain measures would be taken to protect humanitarian aid workers in Gaza – including Anera's staff."

"With the full support of our Gaza team, we have determined that the circumstances have changed sufficiently to resume our vital humanitarian work in Gaza," Carroll said. 

Anera on Thursday resumed "full operations in Gaza to deliver meals, food parcels, hygiene kits, tents, medical treatments, and more to families in dire need," according to the statement.

Iran says its imperative to punish Israel could have been avoided had UN Security Council condemned attack

From CNN’s Natalie Barr and Adam Pourahmadi

The imperative for Tehran to "punish" Israel for the deadly strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus last week might have been avoided if the attack had been condemned at the United Nations, Iran’s Mission to the UN said Thursday.

“Had the UN Security Council condemned the Zionist regime’s reprehensible act of aggression on our diplomatic premises in Damascus and subsequently brought to justice its perpetrators, the imperative for Iran to punish this rogue regime might have been obviated," the  mission said on X.

The UN Secretary-General António Guterres condemned the attack on April 1, according to a statement from the UN spokesperson Stephan Dujarric. A Security Council discussion was held on April 2 to discuss the attack, but differences among members prevented any formal action or condemnation from taking place.

The United States is on high alert and actively preparing for a “significant” attack by Iran targeting Israeli or American assets in the region  in response to the strike in Damascus  that killed top Iranian commanders.

UK foreign secretary warns Iran not to draw Middle East into wider conflict

From CNN's Natalie Barr

Britain's foreign secretary warned his Iranian counterpart on Thursday that Tehran “must not draw” the Middle East into a wider conflict following a series of escalating threats made by Iran toward Israel.

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron told Iran's Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian that the United Kingdom was "deeply concerned about the potential for miscalculation leading to further violence. Iran should instead work to de-escalate and prevent further attacks," according to a post on X .

Iran's state-aligned Tasnim news agency on Thursday reported that Amir-Abdollahian had told Cameron that the silence from the UK and the United States following Israel’s attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus last week only served to encourage Israel to continue waging war in Gaza and expand its conflict in the region.

US and Israeli defense leaders discuss fears of Iranian attack

From CNN’s Michael Conte in Washington, DC, Tamar Michaelis in Jerusalem and Larry Register in Atlanta

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant today to “reaffirm the US ironclad commitment to Israel’s security against threats from Iran and its proxies,” according to a Pentagon spokesperson.

The call comes a day after Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Israel " must be punished and it will be" following a strike on an Iranian embassy compound in Syria that killed seven Iranian officials.

Israel “will not tolerate an Iranian attack on its territory,” the statement read, adding that the two defense leaders also discussed detailed preparations “for an Iranian attack against the State of Israel.”

Gallant said an Iranian attack on Israel could lead to a regional escalation.

It is the second discussion held between Gallant and Austin over the past week, according to the statement. Gallant expressed his appreciation for Austin’s personal commitment to the security of the State of Israel and for the deepening cooperation between the defense establishments of both countries, as well as between the Israel Defense Forces and US CENTCOM.

State Department restricts personnel travel in Israel amid concerns over Iranian threats

From CNN's Jennifer Hansler

The US State Department has restricted the travel of US government personnel in Israel in the wake of public threats against Israel by Iran.

“Out of an abundance of caution, U.S. government employees and their family members are restricted from personal travel outside the greater Tel Aviv (including Herzliya, Netanya, and Even Yehuda), Jerusalem, and Be’er Sheva areas until further notice,” a  security alert  posted by the US Embassy Thursday said. “U.S. government personnel are authorized to transit between these three areas for personal travel.” “The security environment remains complex and can change quickly depending on the political situation and recent events,” the alert noted.

State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller said he would not “speak to the specific assessments that led to us to restrict our employees and family members’ personal travel, but clearly we are monitoring the threat environment in the Middle East and specifically in Israel.”

“We have seen Iran making public threats against Israel in the past few days,” Miller said. “Israel is in a very tough neighborhood and we have been monitoring the security situation. You saw us slightly adjust for travel warnings at the beginning of this conflict and we conduct ongoing assessments all the time about the situation on the ground.”

US officials are on high alert for a potential retaliatory strike by Iran or its proxies against Israel.

Hamas says ceasefire with Israel is essential to collect data on hostages held in Gaza by different groups

From CNN's Abeer Salman and Mohammed Tawfeeq

A member of Hamas' political bureau said   a prisoner-hostage exchange is being discussed as part of larger ceasefire negotiations.

"Part of negotiations is to reach a ceasefire agreement to have enough time and safety to collect final and more precise data" on the hostages held in Gaza Basem Naim said in a statement on Thursday. "Because they (hostages) are in different palaces, (being held) by different groups, some of them are under the rubble killed with our own people, and we negotiate to get heavy equipment for this purpose," he added.

Naim's statement was in response to questions from media outlets about whether Hamas has been rejecting the latest proposal, which was made in Cairo over the weekend, because it can not release 40 hostages in the first phase of a three-stage ceasefire deal.

According to an Israeli official and a source familiar with the discussions, Hamas indicated it is currently unable to identify and track down those 40 Israeli hostages, raising fears that more hostages may be dead than are publicly known. 

CNN's record of the conditions of the hostages also suggests there are fewer than 40 living hostages who meet the proposed criteria.

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