If you are looking for a summer job in the United States during the semester, you will quickly come across the Summer Work Travel programme. It belongs to the J-1 exchange programme of the US State Department and is aimed at students. This guide explains who may take part, which steps come before departure, and which costs you need to clarify with your sponsor yourself.
Short answer: Summer Work Travel is a J-1 programme for students at universities outside the USA. You must be enrolled full-time, have completed at least one semester and be able to communicate in English. Participation lasts 1 to 3 months and runs through a designated sponsor. Last updated: November 2026. Visa fees and programme costs are not listed on the programme page and must be requested from your sponsor.
The most important points
- The programme is aimed at students enrolled full-time at an accredited university outside the USA.
- According to the programme page, you must have completed at least one semester or an equivalent period of study.
- Participation lasts 1 to 3 months and is designed around semester or summer breaks.
- Without a designated Summer Work Travel sponsor you cannot join the programme.
- Visa, sponsor fee, flight, insurance and accommodation need separate planning, because the programme page gives no figures for them.
Who may take part in Summer Work Travel?
The eligibility rules are set out on the programme page of the US State Department. They are narrow and address students, not people who have already completed their studies. The table below summarises the points that the page lists.
| Requirement | What the programme page says |
|---|---|
| Student status | Full-time enrolment at an accredited post-secondary institution outside the USA |
| Academic progress | At least one semester or an equivalent period of study completed |
| English | Sufficient proficiency to communicate in an English-speaking environment |
| Duration | 1 to 3 months |
| Timing | Semester or summer breaks; the page gives no specific dates |
| Sponsor | Participation only through a designated Summer Work Travel sponsor |
| Age limit | The page does not name an age limit |
Student status is the decisive point. Under the wording of the page, someone who has already finished their degree does not meet the requirement of actively pursuing a course of study. Recent graduates should therefore clarify their situation with the responsible US diplomatic mission before paying a deposit to any sponsor.
Do you need a job before you enter the USA?
The programme page generally requires you to be placed in a job before entry. According to the page, participants from visa waiver countries are not subject to this requirement. Your sponsor knows the procedure for its own programme, so ask it to confirm in writing which rule applies to your nationality.
How does the application work?
The route runs through three stages: the sponsor, the visa and the preparation for departure. For application details the programme page refers to the website J1 Visa. There you will find the current application information. Allow enough time between the sponsor confirmation and your departure, because visa appointments and documents need lead time in practice.
If you combine the application with an exchange semester, ask your university’s international office how the holiday period is credited to your study plan. An overview of preparing a stay in the USA is in our guide to the study abroad semester in the USA (in German).
Which costs should you plan for?
The programme page does not list visa fees or programme costs. To plan completely, it helps to list the items that usually arise in practice. Only enter amounts into your budget once you have them in writing from the sponsor, the consulate or the provider.
| Item | Where to find the amount |
|---|---|
| Sponsor fee | Written offer from the designated sponsor |
| Visa fee | Information from the US diplomatic mission and the J1 Visa website |
| Health insurance abroad | Offer from the insurer, including the scope of cover |
| Flight | Booking offer for the planned departure date |
| Accommodation on arrival | Offers from the sponsor or a landlord |
| Living costs and reserve | Your own calculation based on the offers |
Your reserve should be large enough to cover the time until your first pay cheque, which may come later than expected. How much this is depends on location, accommodation and your spending habits. That is why we do not name a flat sum.
Why insurance belongs in your preparation
The programme page does not list an insurance requirement. Whether your sponsor asks for proof is stated in its own documents. Medical costs in the USA can rise quickly, so check the scope of cover, the excess and repatriation carefully. Our guide to health insurance for Erasmus, the USA and Work and Travel (in German) explains what to look for.
Frequently asked questions about Summer Work Travel
Do I need a job before I travel?
The programme page generally requires a job before entry. It names an exception for participants from visa waiver countries. Ask your sponsor which rule applies to your nationality and get the answer in writing.
Is there a minimum or maximum age?
The programme page does not name an age limit. What matters is the student status you have to prove. If you are unsure whether your progress is enough, clarify this with your university and the sponsor before you register.
How good does my English need to be?
The page requires that you can communicate sufficiently in an English-speaking environment. It does not name a specific test or minimum score. Your sponsor can tell you directly whether it requires proof.
How long does the programme last?
According to the programme page, participation lasts 1 to 3 months. It is aligned with semester or summer breaks, but the page gives no concrete dates. Plan your departure with the sponsor and your study timetable, not only around your preferred date.
Is Summer Work Travel the same as a working holiday visa?
No. Working holiday visas are separate categories for other countries, with their own rules on age, duration and proof. Summer Work Travel is a J-1 exchange for students in the USA. An overview of offers in other countries is available in the Work and Travel hub.
Can I combine the programme with my studies?
The page describes the programme as work during the holidays. Whether the stay can be combined with your studies is decided by your university. Clarify credits, deadlines and examinations with the international office beforehand, so that no semester is lost.
What to do before you leave
Before you book your flight, check that your name, date of birth and passport number are identical in the sponsor documents, the visa application and the flight booking. Differences between these documents are a common reason for queries and delays, so keep a copy of all documents in a separate place. A list of contacts for the sponsor, the university, the insurer and the diplomatic mission is also useful.
Clarify how you will access your money during the holidays. Ask your bank whether your card works for payments in the USA and which fees apply when you withdraw cash. These costs are not part of the programme, but they belong in realistic planning.
After the programme
When you return, several questions remain open that are easy to underestimate. These include how the time abroad is recognised in your study plan, whether your insurance cover was continuous during the stay, and how any costs are handled with your university. Keep receipts, contracts and certificates from the sponsor so that you can show them to your health insurer, university or funding bodies.
If you want to use the programme as work experience, ask your US employer for a certificate that confirms your tasks and the period. Such a certificate can be useful for applications in Germany, even if the programme itself lasts only a few months.
So what should you do next?
- Check your student status and your academic progress against the table above.
- Ask at least two designated sponsors for written offers that show fees and services.
- Clarify the visa questions on the J1 Visa website and with the responsible US diplomatic mission.
- Book your flight and accommodation only once the sponsor confirmation and the visa are confirmed.
Related articles
- Work and Travel: The overview of countries, visas and budget
- Health insurance for Erasmus, the USA and Work and Travel (in German)
- Study abroad semester in the USA: health insurance, visa, costs (in German)
- Applying for a working holiday visa: steps, deadlines and age limits
Last updated: November 2026. This guide is general information, not individual advice.
