Student Summer Exchange Program 2027
Who can participate in Work&Travel USA
Every full-time student up to 28 years of age. You only need to have a level of English that allows you to carry out ordinary everyday conversations, and of course, the desire to spend your summer in the USA!
Full-time student
Intermediate level in English
Willing to visit the States
Aged between 18 and 28
Can I travel with friends?
Of course you can! There are no limitations on the number of people that can travel together. We will find positions for you with an employer that is capable of hiring large groups. Another option is to work for multiple employers in the same city – this is a preferred option when the language capabilities of the people in the group differs one from another.
You can travel with friends that you study with but not only. If you want to be in a group with friends that study in other cities/universities you just have to let us know so that we can process your documents simultaneously. We have offices in almost all cities with higher educational institutions in their area, so you don’t have to sign up in the same office. Even more you can travel with a friend that studies abroad, as long as he signs up with us and you plan your travel dates accordingly. The only requirement for students abroad is to be a Bulgarian citizen.
If you are scared to travel alone – don’t be! We can get you in touch with other students that are working either for the same employer or in the same area.
Can I take part in my first year of study?
Of course you can! You are already a student so why miss on all the benefits that go along with the title. The Work and Travel program is one of those benefits.
Sign up now and secure a job offer as early as possible but keep in mind that in order to go on a visa interview you need have gone through your first semester final exams, ideally passing most of them successfully.
Can I go in my senior year?
Of course you can! All full time students, bachelors and masters degree alike, can participate in the Work and Travel USA program, regardless of the year of study.
All you need to do to get the visa is having clear plans for your immediate future in Bulgaria after the summer in the States.
When can I travel to the USA?
Applies to students studying in Bulgaria.
- 3 May – 1 October
In comparison to many other counties, where the universities have fixed summer breaks, in Bulgaria each university has its own academic calendar. The American consulate has set a time frame in which you can travel – 3 May – 1 October.
One of the first important steps, right after you sign up for the program is checking with your university whether there are any special rules for students traveling to the US, like an early exams session. A lot of students simply negotiate an individual exam date with their professors, which allows them to travel to the US as early as possible. We would advise talking with your fellow students that have been on the program before how they managed to work around their exam dates.
It is important to have a clear idea when you will be able to travel, taking into consideration the date requirements of the employers you want to apply with.
Studying abroad?
The Work and Travel USA programme is open to both Bulgarian citizens studying abroad and foreign nationals studying in Bulgaria.
The US State Department and the consulates in each country set the dates on which students may travel on the Work and Travel programme.
Permitted Work and Travel USA dates by country
Below you can see the permitted dates for the countries where our participants most often study.
If you cannot find the dates for the country where you study, get in touch with whichever Usit office suits you and we will tell you.
| Country | Start date | End date |
| Austria | 1 July | 30 September |
| Denmark | 1 July | 1 September |
| Finland | 14 May | 1 September |
| France | 1 June | 30 September |
| Germany | 1 July | 31 October |
| Ireland | 15 May | 15 September |
| Italy | 15 June | 15 September |
| Netherlands | 15 May | 15 September |
| Norway | 16 June | 14 August |
| Portugal | 24 May | 7 October |
| Spain | 24 May | 7 October |
| Sweden | 6 June | 30 August |
| Switzerland | 30 May | 15 September |
| United Kingdom | 1 June | 30 September |
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 partner is the largest sponsor of U.S. cultural exchange programs (BridgeUSA), designated by the U.S. Department of State.
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 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: Who takes part in Work&Travel USA
Some of the questions we are asked most often about who can participate in the program
Who exactly is eligible to participate based on student status?
To be eligible to participate, your student status must meet these three conditions simultaneously:
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You must be enrolled as a full-time student.
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Your university must be accredited by the Ministry of Education and Science (MES).
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You must be pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree.
Are part-time students, distance learners, or college students eligible?
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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.
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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.
Can I go if I only have state exams or a thesis defense left?
No, because you are finishing your education and are no longer attending regular classes.
What happens with failed exams?
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.
What document do I need from the university to prove my student status?
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.
Is there a limit on how many times I can participate in the Work and Travel USA program?
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.
Do I need to have previous work experience?
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.
Is there an age limit for participants?
Most U.S. sponsors set a recommended age range between 18 and 28–30 years old.