Frequently asked questions about the summer work programme in the USA

• Sponsor Assisted  (Full Placement) : The sponsoring organization offers a variety of placement offers to choose from. They often come with pre-arranged housing as well, or at least rental leads. Job interviews are held online or in-person.You pay more, but you have fewer headaches.
• Self‑Arranged: You find your employer yourself (through friends, job boards, direct contacts), and submit it to the  agency  to be vetted and approved  by the sponsor. This option is cheaper, but requires more effort from you.

People often think of a “sponsor” as someone who provides money for a project, education, or cause. In the context of Work and Travel, the sponsor is a U.S. non-profit organization authorized by the U.S. Government (e.g., CIEE, Greenheart) to run cultural exchange programs. Their role is to act as your guarantor, guardian, and administrator while you are in America. They vet employers, assist with job placement, ensure program rules are followed, provide your health insurance, and maintain a 24/7 emergency hotline for assistance and advice throughout your stay.

This is built into the visa structure itself:

• “Work” Part: Lasts up to a maximum of 4 months (typically running from May through the end of October). During this period, you are legally permitted to work only for the employer listed in your documentation (or an approved second job vetted by your sponsor).

• “Travel” Part: This is the so-called Grace Period of 30 days, which begins the day after your employment contract ends. During this month, your authorization to work automatically expires, and you can use this time to travel, explore the U.S., and go shopping before returning home.

No, this type of visa (J-1) and program do not allow for an extension of your stay—neither for the work period nor for the travel portion. The great news is that you can participate every summer as long as you remain a student.

• Part-time and Distance Learning: The answer is no. The eligibility rules are set by the U.S. Department of State, and part-time or distance learning formats are not recognized as eligible for Work and Travel.

• Vocational Colleges: Yes, provided the program leads to a “Professional Bachelor’s” degree (3 years) at a college that is part of an accredited university structure recognized by the Ministry of Education and Science.

No, because you are finishing your education and are no longer attending regular classes.

If you have been allowed to enrol for the next academic year or semester despite the outstanding exams, you can take part in the program.

Even so, we strongly recommend trying to pass some of those exams at a resit session before applying for your visa, to show that you take your education seriously.

You need an official certificate of student status (уверение) stating that you are enrolled as a full-time student to be eligible for the program.

For your visa interview, you will need a recently issued certificate of student status that is current as of your application date, along with your student record book (студентска книжка) and/or an official academic transcript.

Please note that a transcript printed directly from your online student portal profile is not accepted.

No, you can participate every year of your studies as long as you maintain full-time student status. Once you complete your coursework (semesterial graduation), you no longer meet the eligibility requirements for the program.

No, the program is designed for students without requiring any professional experience. However, having prior experience can be an advantage for certain positions such as bartender, server, or cook if you have already worked in those roles.

Most U.S. sponsors set a recommended age range between 18 and 28–30 years old.

Yes, it is recommended to have around $1,000 to cover your living expenses in the U.S. before receiving your first paycheck. In practice, your actual costs may be well below this amount, as you will likely have already paid your housing deposit, and your rent for the first two weeks will most likely be deducted directly from your paycheck.

Yes, tremendously – early registration gives you the advantage of paying a lower overall program fee.

• Lower Program Costs: Registering in October or November gets you the best possible rate. In the following months, the program price gradually increases by $200–$300.

• Cheaper Flights: Booking your airfare earlier guarantees a wider selection of flight options and much better ticket prices.

• Better Job Selection: Early registration is an investment in access to the best job offers – as time goes on, the most attractive positions fill up quickly and are no longer available.

You do not need to pay the entire amount at once. Depending on your financial plan, costs are structured in one of three options:

• Staged Payments: You sign up with an initial deposit. Subsequent installments are due as you reach specific milestones in the application process.

• Equal Monthly Installments: You split the total program fee into equal monthly payments, determined by the month you register. This option can also be applied to cover your airfare.

• Specialized Usit Credit: You enroll with a deposit, and your monthly installments only begin after you arrive in the U.S. and receive your first few paychecks. This is an in-house service provided directly by Usit rather than a bank loan product (details available at Usit offices).

If a visa is refused without an optional protection plan, standard administrative and processing fees (typically around $300–$350 / ~€350) plus non-refundable state fees (such as the SEVIS and Embassy visa fees) are retained to cover the documentation and processing services already rendered.

However, options like Easy Program Cancellation ($135) protect your investment: if your visa is denied or your plans change, all core program payments are refunded, with only the initial deposit ($199) and mandatory non-refundable third-party fees (such as embassy/SEVIS charges) withheld.

Yes, Usit offers its own specialized program credit designed specifically for participants. This is an in-house financing plan – not a bank loan – tailored around the structure of the Work & Travel program to make it as convenient as possible.

• Initial Outlay: Upon approval and signing the agreement, you only pay an initial deposit of $199. All other remaining program fees are covered by the financing.

• Flight Ticket: You can also extend this financing option to cover your round-trip airfare.

• Deferred Repayment: Monthly installments are due in July, August, and September—when you are already working in the U.S., receiving paychecks, and able to comfortably pay off the loan.

Yes, you can pay in interest-free installments for both the program fee and your round-trip airfare.

• Equal Monthly Payments: The total cost is divided into equal monthly installments spread over the period from your registration date until your departure for the U.S.

• Zero Markup: There are no added fees, interest, or hidden charges—you pay the exact standard price of the program and flight.

Yes, Usit offers an optional program add-on called Easy Program Cancellation for $135.

• Coverage: It guarantees that if your plans change and you are unable to travel to the U.S., or if your J-1 visa is denied, the amount retained from your program fee will not exceed your initial $199 deposit.

• Deadline: This protection option can be added when you register or at any point before advancing to the second stage of the program.

The ideal window to choose your job offer is between November and January. Major employers typically publish their available positions for the following summer around late October or early November, and interviews begin in mid-November, running through April.

Benefits of selecting an offer early include:

• Access to Top Positions: Premium employers offering high wages, cheap housing, and guaranteed overtime post their vacancies first. Options diminish as slots fill up.

• Lower Program Fees: You qualify for early-bird program pricing, saving money upfront.

• Cheaper Flights: Securing your placement early allows you to book round-trip flights by January or February, avoiding steep spring price spikes.

• Smaller Monthly Installments: Choosing a payment plan early spreads total costs over more months, keeping monthly payments low.

Before you sign, check:

1. Guaranteed Hours – how many hours per week the employer guarantees you (aim for at least 32–35 hours).
2. Housing – whether housing is provided, how much it costs per week,what is included ( utilities, wf-fi, linens)  and what are the policies in regards with  security deposit.
3. Perks – could be performance or end of season bonus, free meals, or a meal plan included, discounts, free usage of amenities or attractions, free tours.
4. Start and end Date – usually there is a range of both, but check whether they match your academic schedule and  travel plans.
5. Fees/uniforms – whether there are any deductions from your salary for uniforms, training, or other costs.

Overtime is not the same as  extra hours.
In the US, anything over 40 hours per week with one employer counts as overtime and is paid at 1.5 times your regular hourly rate (e.g. $16/hour → $24/hour for overtime). Not all employers offer overtime –.those whose businesses are strictly seasonal are not obligated to pay a higher rate if you work over 40 hours per week. However you may get extra hours at a regular rate.

Yes, it’s completely legal, with one condition:
Before you start a second job, you must send your job offer to your US sponsor (the organization named on your DS‑2019) for review and approval. If you start a second job without approval, you risk having your program terminated.

When looking for a second job, you should choose a position that offers flexible hours (evening shifts or weekends only) so that it doesn’t conflict with the hours of your first/ primary job. The best options are:

•  Fast Food Crew – The Fast Food restaurants are always looking for people for evening shifts or closing shifts. 
• Housekeeper: Hotels often look for extra staff just for the weekends, when there’s a large turnover of guests and rooms need to be cleaned quickly 
• Kitchen staff: Restaurant positions are ideal for the evening – from 5:00 PM to 10:00–11:00 PM.  
• Salesperson at an ice cream or souvenir shop: These resort shops stay open very late into the evening and often hire J-1 students for 3–4 hours a day after their main job.

Opt for jobs with morning shifts. Housekeeping is a good option, because the shifts usually start around 8am and by 3-4pm, after the checkins are done you will be done with your assignments. Another good option are bakeries and coffee shops. The morning shifts start very early at about 5-6AM, and you can clock out by 2 pm, giving you plenty of time for a second job. 

No, securing a second job before departure is generally impossible and not recommended.

The best strategy is to look for a second job after arriving in the U.S., once you receive your primary work schedule, assess your living area, and obtain your Social Security Number (SSN).

Usit’s partner sponsor, CIEE, provides a dedicated portal called One World Crossroads, which lists local, verified second-job openings in your area starting in late May or early June.

This depends entirely on the sector you work in:

• In restaurants and fast food: Most employers provide one free meal during the shift or a major discount on the menu (e.g., 50%).

• In hotels and parks: Usually, you bring your own food. By law, during an 8-hour workday, you are entitled to one 30-minute unpaid lunch break (for which you clock out) and one or two short 10-15 minute paid coffee/rest breaks.

It depends entirely on the position and the hours you work:

• Positions like Housekeeping and Cooks are the most physically demanding.

• Positions like Lifeguard, Ride Operator, or Salesperson require more concentration and social energy, but are not physically taxative.

• Positions like Server or Busser require you to spend your entire shift on your feet and moving.

After the first few shifts, you get used to the pace and workload, and motivation kicks in after that first paycheck. The most important thing when choosing a job is to consider any allergies or other limitations that might prevent you from doing a specific type of position.

The schedule is set by the manager on a week-to-week basis. Typically, you will work 5 or 6 days a week. In the tourism industry, peak times for visitors are the busiest for staff. Periods overlapping with school holidays and long weekends during national holidays are especially demanding, making it unlikely you will be able to take days off then. If you want to fit a second job into your schedule, the best approach is to speak with your manager about the possibilities after your first few weeks.

In the U.S., time tracking is digitized and extremely strict. Upon arriving at work, you log into the system (by swiping a card or entering a PIN on a tablet)—this is Clock In. When you go on a break or leave for the day, you Clock Out. Every minute is tracked down to the second, and you are paid strictly based on your worked time. If you are even 3 minutes late, the system records it, which can reduce your pay for the day or lead to a warning from your manager.

Yes. The U.S. Department of State strictly regulates permitted job roles to prevent exploitation and unsafe working conditions, ensuring the program remains a safe cultural exchange.

Prohibited job roles fall into six main categories:

• Domestic & Personal Care: Au Pair/nanny roles, home cleaning/cooking, and elderly care in private homes.

• Transport & Driving: Taxi, Uber/Lyft, shuttle, or delivery driving (e.g., DoorDash), as well as operating heavy machinery (forklifts, tractors).

• Night Shifts & Hazardous Environments: Standard night shifts (10 PM to 6 AM), industrial warehouses/factories, and construction/roofing work.

• Adult Entertainment, Security & Gambling: Security guards/bouncers, card dealers/croupiers at casino tables (hotel/restaurant roles within casinos are allowed), and adult entertainment venues.

• Medical, Cosmetic & Chemical Roles: Direct patient care in clinics, crop spraying/chemical handling, and roles in salons, tattoo shops, or fitness centers.

• Commission-Only & Door-to-Door Sales: Traveling sales, street vending, and positions without a guaranteed minimum hourly base wage.

The officer would like to know whether:

• you are a genuine student;
• you have reasons to return home after your program ends (school, job, family);
• you understand that this is a cultural exchange program, not a money-making program or way to stay in the US permanently;
• your English level is sufficient to work and manage on your own.

Not at all – many students do. In most cases, their program is in a completely different location, and they only meet their relatives during the travel period after work ends.

If you have relatives in the US, just be honest at the visa interview: say who they are, where they live, and explain that you’ll be working in a different location under the Work and Travel program.

No. Being a first-year student is not a reason for visa refusal. What matters most is your performance during the consular interview, your ability to carry out a brief conversation in English, and demonstrating strong ties to return and complete your university degree.

Usit has been organizing Work & Travel programs in the U.S. for 25 years. Over that quarter-century, they have helped more than 40,000 Bulgarian students experience their American summer.

Usit operates a network of physical offices in major university hubs across Bulgaria:

• Sofia

• Plovdiv

• Varna

• Burgas

• Blagoevgrad

• Veliko Tarnovo

• Ruse

If you are located in or near any of these cities, you can drop by in person for a free consultation. Alternatively, the entire consultation and application process can be conducted fully online based on your preferences and schedule.

What kind of support do you receive while in the U.S.?

Throughout your entire stay in the U.S., you have round-the-clock backing from both your U.S. sponsor and Usit

• 24/7 Emergency Sponsor Assistance: U.S. sponsors (such as CIEE, Greenheart, or others) provide dedicated 24-hour toll-free hotlines for urgent issues, legal coverage guidance, housing disputes, or job-related concerns.

• Health & Safety Insurance: Comprehensive medical insurance coverage (up to $100,000) coordinated directly through your U.S. sponsor for any unexpected medical needs.

• Usit Guidance: Home-base support from the Bulgarian team to assist you or your family with documentation, communication, or advice during your program..

Many Usit consultants are former Work & Travel USA participants themselves. Having completed the program firsthand, they provide authentic, practical advice based on real personal experience across every stage of the journey:

• Firsthand Experience: They have personally navigated job fairs, embassy visa interviews, travel logistics, and everyday life and work in the U.S.

• Practical Guidance: Instead of generic sales talk, they offer realistic expectations, insider tips on budgeting and housing, and genuine insights on local work environments.

• Relatable Support: They understand the common worries and questions of first-time applicants, offering personalized, empathetic guidance throughout the process.

Usit collaborates strictly with official, U.S. Department of State–designated sponsoring organizations to ensure full compliance and security for all participants:

• Primary Sponsor (CIEE): Usit’s main partner is CIEE (Council on International Educational Exchange), the largest, oldest, and most established J-1 exchange sponsor in the U.S. (founded in 1947).

• Other Official Sponsors: Usit also works with select smaller, officially recognized U.S. sponsors to offer a diverse variety of job locations and options across the United States.

• Vetted U.S. Employers: All job placements – whether provided via sponsor-assisted job fairs/interviews or self-arranged by students – undergo rigorous background checks to guarantee fair wages, safe working environments, and complete compliance with U.S. Department of State regulations.

As a leading travel agency, Usit assists with a complete package of supporting services:

• Student Airfare: Cost-effective student flight tickets featuring flexible change policies and tailored baggage allowances.

• Student Identification: Issuance of official ISIC (International Student Identity Card) cards for global discounts and benefits.

• Travel Insurance: Comprehensive medical and travel insurance policies tailored for international stays.

• Personal & Leisure Travel: Complete travel arrangements for leisure trips, vacations, and custom itineraries both within Bulgaria and worldwide.

Usit operates as a fully licensed tour operator and travel agent. Complete transparency is maintained across all financial and procedural aspects:

• Clear Contracts: Every condition, deadline, and program fee is explicitly defined in your official participation agreement, ensuring there are no hidden costs or surprise charges.

• Defined Refund Policies: Clear and straightforward refund rules are established in advance in the event of a visa denial or cancellation.

• Investment Protection: Options like the Easy Program Cancellation add-on ($135) limit financial risk by capping potential losses to the initial $199 deposit if you are unable to travel.

A US organization designated by the State Department to run cultural exchange programs. They pre‑screen applicants, verify jobs, and support students during their stay. We work with sponsors as your local representative.

The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. The first thing to do  upon your arrival in the US is to contact your sponsor and get your SEVIS record activated. Remember – you need to register not later than the start date of your DS-2019 certificate and you must update your address, phone, or email within 10 days of any change.

Issued by the Social Security Administration. You need it to work legally and get paid in the US. You should apply for your SSN as soon as possible, but not earlier than 3-5 days after registering in SEVIS.

After your program ends, you get a 30‑day travel period (grace period) to settle your affairs and travel within the US. You can no longer work, and it’s best not to leave the US during this time.

Electronic arrival/departure record generated when you enter the US. You may need a printout when applying for your Social Security Number.

Tax form you give to each employer so they withhold the correct amount of tax from your paycheck. As J‑1 participants, you’re exempt from some taxes (e.g., Social Security, Medicare, Federal Unemployment Tax, depending on state).

End‑of‑year tax form from your employer showing your total earnings and taxes withheld. It determines whether you get a refund or owe taxes when you file your declaration.