Working holidays in the USA

This is the mothership of the J-1 visa family. Unlike the four-month J1 visa for summer camp and ski seasons, this student and grad USA visa allows you to work for up to 12 months and stay for 14. When you apply, you’ll select a start date that will be printed on your work permit, and you can enter the USA up to 30 days before and after to travel.

You must be an Australia or New Zealand passport holder, be aged 18-35, and either be:

• A full-time tertiary level student currently in a nationally accredited institution of higher education studying on campus, who has completed one year of study before entering the USA. OR
• A recent graduate from full-time tertiary study who has studied on campus, and who has had their application approved and entered the USA within 12 months of completing their degree requirements (final coursework/exam).

In order to apply for your visa, you need to have a US sponsor. That’s where JENZA and our US partner IENA (our trusted sponsor in America) come in to provide all the necessary checks and paperwork.

The J-1 visa consists of an online application and in-person visa appointment at the US Embassy or Consulate in your home country. The visa cost is currently USD $160, plus an additional $105 reciprocity fee for Australian passport holders. Your visa fee is paid directly to the embassy.

It can take anywhere between two weeks and three months to get your visa approved. We advise applying as soon as possible to ensure you don’t miss the eligibility window.

The ability to move to America without a job lined up is a one-time opportunity. You can also work for the same US employer for the full 12 months, giving you the chance to make your mark – learning from leaders in your field, building your network and putting your resume on the map.

Aside from a few restricted professions (including the medical profession, farming, childcare, domestic help, working in a casino, driving with passengers, starting your own business or being self-employed) you can work in any industry.

If you’re looking to advance your career and find your own job, your package will be negotiated directly with your employer and so your earning potential will be uncapped.

If you're looking to do casual work, the minimum wage differs per state, from USD $7.25 to $15.74 an hour. Working in hospitality can reap lucrative rewards in tips, but be aware that some states are legally allowed to use tip money to make up staff wages.

1. Apply online First, check you’re eligible for a J-1 visa in the tab above, pay your deposit, and wait for us to get in touch to arrange your pre-departure screening and initial interview. This is a US sponsorship requirement where we assess your eligibility for the J-1 program, take you through the visa requirements and find out more about why you want to work and travel in the USA

2. Sponsorship application We’ll start the sponsorship process to secure your DS2019 form (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor status) which is needed to apply for your visa. This can take up to eight weeks. We’ll then guide you through the J-1 visa application process.

3. Embassy interview We’ll help you arrange and prepare for your in-person embassy interview. Wait times for appointments vary depending on the embassy or consulate you are visiting. You can check wait times here. Be prepared for them to keep your passport for around two weeks. Once approved, you can collect your passport or have it couriered – depending on what you’ve arranged.

4. Land a job (optional) A pre-arranged job isn’t a condition of this visa, but if you’d rather have something lined up while you find your feet, we’ll set you up on the JENZA Job Hub where you can search, apply and interview via video for pre-vetted casual and seasonal jobs.

5. Living room dance Virtual high fives with the team. We run a pre-departure call to answer all your questions. Plus, loop you up with other travellers in the States via our JENZA Discord group chats.