Work and Travel USA 2027
What is Work and Travel USA
The Summer Work and Travel program was created and is regulated by the U.S. Department of State, with its origins in the mid‑20th century. It is one of the easiest and safest ways to live and work in the U.S. during your summer break.
You’ll visit iconic places, gain valuable experience, and meet new people. You’ll earn enough to cover your travel costs, rent, and food, and still have money left for travelling, shopping, new experiences, and plenty of great memories
The Work and Travel USA program in brief
Created by the US State Department, the programme gives you the chance to obtain a J1 visa and a work permit easily, and to be far more than a tourist.
You can only join Work & Travel USA through organisations licensed by the US State Department – the so-called “sponsors” – and Usit Colours as their representative.
The Work and Travel USA programme runs during the student summer holiday. As a participant you may work for up to 4 months between 1 May and 30 September, and stay in the USA as a tourist for a further 30 days after the work period ends. You decide whether to work 2, 3 or 4 months.
Before your J1 visa is issued and you leave for the USA, you must have a job offer from an American employer that fits the aims and terms of the programme. You can find one yourself, or take part in the interviews with American employers arranged by our partners – online or in person in Bulgaria.
Once the program is over you must return to Bulgaria, and you can take part again the following summer as long as you are still a full-time student.
What the programme gives you
The programme gives you a rare chance to see America not through the lens of Hollywood, but through your own – to learn how Americans work, live, have fun and celebrate.
VALUABLE EXPERIENCE
More and more companies look for staff with professional experience in an international setting. Having been part of the team at an American company is experience that certainly sets you apart.
You will build real skills: teamwork, communicating in English, adaptability, independence – the things employers value.
INDEPENDENCE
The chance to live completely independently in another country for five months, to work and to cope on your own, is certainly one of the greatest benefits, and it will make you more confident and self-reliant.
NEW FRIENDSHIPS
During your time in the States you will meet people from all over the world. Some will remain a fond memory of that summer; others will become friends for life. You will work together, travel, have fun and support each other – which is exactly how lasting friendships are made.
And some even grow into personal or business partnerships.
Why students choose Usit for the program
At Usit we are professionals with many years of experience in Work and Travel. We believe in what we do, because we have been on the programme ourselves. Over the years we keep refining it, so that it matches your expectations and needs as closely as possible.
We are Usit
We have 25 years of experience and have helped tens of thousands of students go to the USA on the programme. We know how to make your route to America easy and enjoyable. We have been on it ourselves - more than once.
We have good prices
We are a licensed travel agency with considerable experience in selling flight tickets. We can also offer special student fares.
We are here for you
We are here for you all year round - at our offices in Bulgaria's larger cities and online.
We can even arrange your place on the programme entirely online.
We work with the largest American sponsor
Our main partner is CIEE, the largest sponsor for the American cultural exchange programmes (BridgeUSA) run by the US State Department.
We keep you informed
We believe in open, straightforward communication, so we will always tell you the details and the news exactly as they are.
With us it is secure
Because we never run out of DS forms and we have a guaranteed slot for you.
What students say
Read a few reviews from students who experienced America trought Work and Travel program with Usit
Our partner is one of the largest American sponsors
Sponsors (sponsoring organisations) are American companies and non-governmental organisations authorised by the US State Department to organise and run cultural exchange programmes.
Their job is to help secure a job offer, to vet employers where the participant has found work independently, to issue the work permits needed to apply for a J1 visa, to support students during their stay in the USA, and more.
Our main partner is CIEE – the Council on International Educational Exchange. Founded in 1947, they have invaluable experience in running student programmes: not only Work and Travel, but also Internship USA, Professional Career Training USA, Camp Exchange USA and others.
CIEE are the ones who will support you throughout the programme. From them you can expect:
Job offer
Help finding the job offer that suits you best – they arrange meetings with American employers in Bulgaria as well as online interviews. If you have decided to look for work on your own, they will check your offer and approve it once it meets all the programme conditions and the State Department requirements.
Documents
To issue all the documents you need for your US visa application as quickly as possible.
Insurance
To provide you with one of the best travel insurance policies, covering the whole five-month programme rather than only the four months you are permitted to work.
24/7
To give you full support throughout your programme in America, plus a 24-hour helpline, seven days a week, for emergencies.
The application stages for Work and Travel USA
From start to finish: what to expect when applying for the student summer work programme in the USA
Ask us anything
Have questions about the program? Ask away. Our consultants will answer everything – even the questions you didn’t know you had.
Register in the program
We’ll create your profile in our online system. It’s quick and easy: just bring your ID, sign the program agreement, and pay your deposit (part of your total program fee).
Choose how you'll find a job
You can look for a job on your own or use our services. Our team will help you decide which option fits you best.
Get a job and apply for a DS-2019
After your job is secured the next step is to have your DS-2019 program and work certificate issued. We make this as simple as possible. You’ll just answer a few questions about why you want to join the Work and Travel Program and what you plan to do during your months in the US.
Pay the rest of your fee and book your flight
It makes sense to book your flight only after your visa is approved, but we strongly recommend booking earlier. The sooner you book, the lower the price – and you’ll get the travel dates that suit your plans.
Flights from Europe to the US fill up fast at this time of year. If anything goes wrong with your visa, we’ll refund your ticket costs.
Apply for your visa
The visa process can feel overwhelming, but we’re here to guide you with a high level of care and professionalism. We’ll complete your visa application, check your supporting documents, and schedule your appointment.
Your part: a short interview with the Consular Officer.
Travel to the US
Fly to the US and enjoy your American experience!
Enjoy your
What is your next step?
Fill in the registration form, drop into one of our offices or book an online consultation.
Free consultation in our office
Come to whichever Usit office suits you best and ask a consultant everything you want to know about Work and Travel USA.
Free online consultation
Book a free online consultation with a Usit consultant - held on weekdays at a time that suits you.
Register for the program
Ready for the next step? Secure your place on the program now - the earlier you sign up, the more job choice you have.
FAQ: The Summer Work and Travel USA Program
Some of the questions we are asked most often about Work and Travel USA
Is this just ordinary seasonal work abroad?
No. This is not simply a job abroad arranged by an employment agency. Work and Travel is an official US government cultural exchange programme, created during the Cold War (in 1961, under the Fulbright-Hays Act). Its purpose is diplomatic: to let students from around the world get to know American culture, way of life and values by living in the USA for a few months, with the right to work to support themselves.
How does the J-1 visa differ from a tourist visa?
The J-1 is a special non-immigrant Exchange Visitor Visa.
Unlike a tourist visa (B1/B2), it gives you the full legal right to work in the USA, to have an American social security number (SSN) and to be paid on the same footing as American citizens.
The difference from a work visa (H-1B) is that the J-1 is strictly limited in time (to the summer season only) and cannot be extended or converted into another type of visa.
What does "American sponsor" mean?
A “sponsor” is often taken to mean someone who gives money for a project, an education or a cause. In the Work and Travel context, the sponsor is an American non-governmental organisation authorised by the US government (CIEE or Greenheart, for example) to run cultural exchange programmes. Their role is to be your guarantor, guardian and administrator while you are in America. They vet employers, help with finding work, monitor compliance with the programme rules, provide your medical insurance and maintain a 24/7 emergency line for help and advice throughout.
Why is the programme split into two parts - Work and Travel?
It is built into the structure of the visa itself:
The “Work” part lasts a maximum of 4 months (between May and the end of October). During that period you may work only for the employer recorded in your documents, plus any second job approved by the sponsor.
The “Travel” part is the 30-day grace period, which begins the day after your work contract ends. During that month the right to work falls away automatically, and you can use the time for trips and shopping in the USA before heading home.
Can I extend my programme?
No, this type of visa and programme does not allow the stay to be extended, either the work period or the travel part. The good news is that you can go every summer for as long as you are a student.