YOUR WORK USA 12-MONTH PROGRAM CONDITIONS
The Work USA 12-month program is offered by JENZA (the “Company”) and supported by a regulated US State Department sponsor. The Company acts as an international representative for the Visa sponsor (“the sponsor”). The program is designed to support participants to complete the steps required to obtain a DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) form which permits them to apply for a 12-month J1 Summer Work Travel Pilot Program (the “J1”) which is issued separately by the US Embassy.
By joining the program you are bound by the company’s general terms and conditions which are listed HERE.
1. PROGRAM INCLUSIONS
All customers will receive: eligibility screening, access to a jobs database, J1 visa assistance and DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document), medical insurance and in-country support.
2. PROGRAM COSTS AND PAYMENTS
The cost of the program is outlined on our website at the time of your booking. The relevant payments will be shown on the payments page of your online account.
The below table shows the payment schedule and what is included during each phase of the application for a first-timer/direct placement:
Deposit 1
What fees will you need to pay to third parties?
- A police check
- US Embassy fee
- Travel to and from the US embassy
- Return flights
- Transport from the airport once you arrive in the USA
- $2,000 USD in support funds
- Accommodation
- Spending money
Regardless of the circumstances, we are unable to refund any of these fees.
Cost increase notice
In the event of a cost increase for the program, the Company will provide customers with at least 30 days notice before the new cost takes effect. Customers are responsible for paying the increased cost as specified in the notice.
By continuing to use the program after the specified notice period, customers acknowledge and agree to the revised cost.
The Company reserves the right to adjust the program costs as necessary to reflect changes in operational expenses, market conditions, or other factors that may affect the overall service provision. Any such adjustments will be communicated to customers in a timely manner, allowing them to make informed decisions regarding their continued participation in the program.
3. TRANSFERRING OR CHANGING YOUR BOOKING
The deposit is transferable to any Company program up until the initial interview with a member of our team. After this, your deposit will be considered as used and therefore be non-transferable.
Your deposit is protected for life, however, is not transferable to another person. Your DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) must be printed with your correct name, date of birth, place and country of birth. It is your responsibility to provide details on all application forms that exactly match your passport. The DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document )replacement cost, due to misinformation or loss by the applicant is $250 AUD/ $270 NZD.
4. PROGRAM CANCELLATION
Cancellations requests will not be acted on until written confirmation by email has been received by the Company. If a DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) has been issued it must be returned to the Company before any refunds are given.
Program Deposit - The program deposit is a non-refundable fee unless your application is rejected by the Company before your application is submitted to the visa sponsor, in which case you will be refunded minus a $50 AUD / $50 NZD administration fee. Your program will be considered cancelled if you request to withdraw, do not engage with your application or respond to the Company’s communications or are not able to continue with the program giving rise to your requesting to withdraw.
The below amounts will be held by the Company when cancelling at specific stages. Any non-refundable fees as stated above are not included in the below amounts:
- If you cancel before your application is submitted to the visa sponsor: your non refundable deposit will be held
- If you cancel after your application is submitted to the visa sponsor but before your DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) has been issued: 30%
- If you cancel after your DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) has been issued: 100% (no refund due)
- If your J1 visa is refused or held for additional processing: 100% (no refund due)
The Company is not liable for and cannot refund third party costs including: police checks, travel costs, medical costs, and visa costs under any circumstances.
Dormant Application
If you have not submitted your online application within 3 months of making your deposit, your application will be marked as dormant and withdrawn from the program. Regular cancellation fees will apply.
5. VISA
J1 12-month Summer Work Travel Pilot Program Eligibility
- Available only to Australian or New Zealand Citizens.
- Full time university student currently enrolled full time on campus. Must have completed a minimum of 12 months (two consecutive semesters) of the course before departure.
- Graduating or graduated student. Needs to have entered the USA within 12 months of completing their degree requirements (final coursework/exam).
- Vocational students (TAFE/Polytechnic) pursuing studies at an accredited educational institution are eligible for participation.
VISA SUPPORT FUNDS: $2000 USD
USA J-1 Visas are issued at the discretion of the US Embassy and the US Embassy can change visa application processes at any time. You are responsible for submitting a correct and complete visa application on time. You may experience delays or a denial if you:
- Have a caution, been arrested or convicted of a crime, have previously experienced US visa/immigration problems or overstayed a visit to the US. You must inform the Company in writing if any of these statuses apply to you at the beginning of the application. Failure to declare such issues resulting in visa denial will result in a 100% cancellation fee.
- All applicants must present their documents in person at the US Embassy.
- The US Embassy will hold your passport until processing has been completed. Do not book any travel abroad during the visa application stage.
- Average processing time for J1 visa applications with the US consulate is 10-15 business days but may take longer. The US Embassy will not prioritise or ‘fast track’ any visa applications. The company cannot be held responsible for any delays to your application at the embassy.
- Do not book your US embassy interview until you have been told to book your interview by the Company
- Wait until you have received confirmation of your visa appointment from the US Embassy before booking transport to your interview.
US Embassy appointments
It is the responsibility of the participant to book, and pay for, their US embassy appointment. Whilst we will send participants their DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) and a visa guidance document, it is the sole responsibility of the participant to book and attend an interview at the US embassy. Any fees associated with booking the embassy appointment are paid for by the participant. Under no circumstances can we refund payments that were made directly to the US embassy.
The US Embassy will hold an applicant’s passport for a minimum of 5 working days for processing of Visa after Interview. It is at the discretion of the US Embassy to hold a passport and application for longer than the above minimum if extra processing is required. The Company, the Sponsor and the US Embassy will not be held responsible for any delays, and subsequent fees incurred due to delays/ extra processing at the US Embassy Interview stage. Under no circumstances can a passport be requested back from the US Embassy quicker than the standard processing times laid out above.
Availability of visa appointments is at the discretion of the US embassy in the country you are applying from. The company does not guarantee your ability to apply for or attend a US embassy appointment.
Arriving in the USA
- The Company aims to assist you with your arrival to America before your visa start date but is not responsible for delays caused by yourself, the US Embassy, the postal service or the courier company.
- Your arrival in the USA can only be a maximum of 30 days before the start date on your work authorisation documents (DS2019). This is inclusive of the date start on your documents. You cannot enter the USA before this date
- On arrival in the USA, you are required to apply for a US social security number. Your employer will help with this process as well as the visa sponsor.
DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document)
- Only one original physical copy of your DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) will be issued at any time by the Sponsor and this is the only valid version.
- If you lose or damage your DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) a new valid version must be issued by the Sponsor and you will be required to cover the costs of issuance and delivery.
- If you lose or damage your DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) please contact the Company at the earliest opportunity.
- Your DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) must be kept with your passport whilst in the USA.
- If you forget or lose your DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) you may be denied entry to the US or may invalidate your visa and be at risk of deportation. The company are not responsible if immigration deny entry or propose deportation due to insufficient documentation.
- You will be responsible for any additional costs incurred reissuing documentation.
- The Company does not keep a copy of your DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document), and you may be asked to present it during any future applications to visit or work in the USA.
- The Company aims to assist you with your arrival to America before your visa start date but is not responsible for delays caused by yourself, the US Embassy, the postal service or the courier company.
The Company is unable to provide refunds paid to the US Embassy under any circumstances.
6. ADDITIONAL PROGRAM DOCUMENTATION AND FEES
To participate in the Grad USA program, you will incur additional third-party fees which are outlined in section 2.
7. FLIGHTS
Flights are not included as part of the program and you will be responsible for booking them. You should not arrange travel until you have been issued a 12-month J1 Summer Work Travel Pilot Program visa. You must provide your booked travel information to the Company at least 72 hours before you intend to fly.
The applicant agrees that we will not be held responsible for any costs incurred if a flight change needs to be made. Examples of this include, but not limited to, visa delays, placement cancellations or extra processing by the US embassy.
8. INSURANCE
Medical insurance is provided as part of the Grad USA program through your visa sponsor.
Full information on your Insurance plan and the claims procedure will be available to you once you receive your DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document).
You should always carry the insurance information details in case treatment is needed in the USA.
The Company arranges this insurance as an agent of the visa sponsor and is not liable for any policy claims, coverage or refunds
Note: there are exclusions on the insurance health policy for pre-existing health conditions. If you have a pre-existing health condition you will need to purchase additional coverage to ensure you are fully covered for your trip.
9. JOB SUPPORT
- It is up to the participant to find their own job; it is recommended you do research on the area you are travelling to, to ensure you are travelling to an area where placements are readily available
- Although you do not need to have a job organised before you travel to the USA on this programme, the Company recommend that you try your best to arrange a position before you travel to give yourself the best chance of success on the programme.
- For participants availing of job assistance, we do not guarantee any job locations in the USA. We will make available to all participants who avail of job assistance a job interview with an American employer but make no guarantee that you will receive an interview, or job, in your preferred location.
- Please also note, by signing up to a job interview through your online account, there is no guarantee that you will be hired. Hiring is at the sole discretion of the employer.
- It is up to each participant who has availed of job assistance to apply for an interview for their American job through the employer database released to them once their application materials have been received by and fully processed by the J1 programme team. We do not allocate interviews to participants, you must sign up for an interview yourself. All job interviews listed on the jobs database are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
10. YOUR GRAD PROGRAM
Pre departure
- All travel before, during and after the Programme is at the applicant’s own risk. Any applicant who chooses to operate motorized vehicles is responsible for obtaining the necessary license, permission and insurance and does so at their own risk.
- Under no circumstances are jobs guaranteed. Even for jobs sourced through the Company, under no circumstances are jobs guaranteed. Even in the case when an employer represents that a job is being held, this does not constitute a binding contract that the job will be available when the applicant arrives. The employer’s commitment is one of good faith only.
- It is the participant's responsibility to ensure they check the details of the contract of employment, to research availability of suitable housing in the location of work and ensure they are satisfied with all conditions outlined in the employment contract. The Company are not liable for any issues that may arise on matters deemed to be the responsibility of the participant.
- If you choose to travel to the USA up to 30 days before your DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) start date, please note the following:
- You cannot register your details with SEVIS until your DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document)start date.
- You cannot apply for a social security number until your DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) start date (and at least 2 days after registering with SEVIS).
- This 30 day period is not subjected to the ‘multiple entry’ condition on your visa. This means that you must not exit and re-enter the USA within these 30 days.
During your placement
- The participant understands that neither the Company or the visa sponsor are to be held responsible for any difficulties with participants receiving their Social Security Numbers/Cards, and any expenses incurred due to delays arising from the above.
- If, during the programe, the participant encounters any difficulties with Social Security, safety, health, the job, housing, including charges or fees for housing, sanitary conditions, overcrowding, etc. or any other problem, the participant must notify the visa sponsor as soon as possible.
- Participants are required to comply with all US laws while inside the United States. If a participant violates any US law, the visa sponsor reserves the right to revoke their legal sponsorship, which will result in the withdrawal or termination of their programme. A terminated participant also loses their legal right to remain in the US Employment or Job-Related Conditions
- The applicant must adhere to the mandatory SEVIS requirements whilst in country. This includes validating your visa, reporting/updating your current address, getting your job approved your sponsor and completing all feedback forms. Failure to comply with these requirements may result in your visa being cancelled.
- The applicant must agree to behave ethically and responsibly while in the USA. They understand that their DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) can be cancelled at the discretion of the visa sponsor if they behave in a way that is in violation of the programme rules or can be deemed unethical.
- The applicant is responsible for reading and carefully considering all materials made available that relate to safety, health, legal, environmental, political, cultural and religious customs and conditions in the US. Each applicant must take full responsibility in the event that laws, regulations, or customs are broken, regardless of foreknowledge.
- Participants should note that they are not, under any circumstances, permitted to travel to the Tijuana metropolitan area in Mexico.
- Please note that the 12-month visa cannot be extended under any circumstances.
- If you choose to stay in the USA up to 30 days after your visa and DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) end, please note the following:
- You may not work in any capacity during this period – these 30 days are for travel purposes only.
- You cannot leave the continental USA and re-enter during this period as your visa will have expired. If you travel outside of the USA during this time, you will not be able to return without a valid visa. You will have to return to your home country in this instance.
11. DECLARATION
Any dispute or claim against the sponsor will be subject to the sponsor agreement, and may be exclusively arbitrated in a specific location within the USA. I know of no reason why I may be refused a visa (e.g. have given misleading information regarding eligibility for the program, have been arrested or convicted of a crime; have applied to migrate to the US; previously experienced US visa/immigration problems; or have overstayed on a previous visit). If I suspect that I may have problems, I will disclose these reasons in writing to the company. If a visa is refused for reasons previously undisclosed, no refund will be given.