Programs & Services > Summer Work & Travel > USA > For Participants who are Studying in Mainland China
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FAQ

About Job | About Travel | About Form and Visa | About Housing | About Tax | General Questions
About Job | Do I have to stay at one job? What if I don't like my job after I've started working? By
signing the employment contract, it means you agree to work for that
employer. If you cannot work for that employer for any reasons, you must
contact us and your sponsor for assistance. If you do not show up at
work without notifying BOTH Intrinsic and your sponsor in advance, you
will be dismissed from the Program and have to return home immediately.
Your refundable administration fee and certificate of completion will be forfeited.
Make sure you contact us and your sponsor if you encounter any
difficulties at work. We will work with you and your employer to resolve
your doubts. However, if, for any reason, a change of
employer becomes necessary, you must contact your sponsor to obtain the
approval before changing a job.
Can I be placed at the same employer as my friend? Yes. Just choose the same employer, but it is not guaranteed since the final decision is made by the employer.
Can I find a second job? Yes,
in addition to the first job, you might be able to work as a part-time
employee for another employer. By doing so, you will have to inform your
sponsor first. Always make sure your second job will not affect the
working schedule of your first job.
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About Travel | When will I leave hometown to the U.S.? Most
of the WATUSA participants will leave hometown to the U.S. from mid June to early July. Your employer will let you know the exact work dates
once you’re hired. The minimum work duration is 2.5 months and usually
employers would expect students staying at work for 3 months.
Can I travel around in the U.S. upon arrival before my job starts? Students
should report to employer upon arrival. You may not enter the U.S. more
than 30 days before the program start date shown on your DS-2019. We
are not responsible for any denied entrance into the U.S. under any
circumstances. Generally, you should depart from hometown within five
days before the work start date.
Can I extend my stay in USA? No
extension is allowed for the J-1 Work/Travel Program including the
visa. By signing your copy of the Terms and Conditions of the Program,
you agree to return home within 30 days after the expiration date of
your US visa. Failure to return home by that time will result in out of
Program status, and you will be subject to arrest and deportation. Do
not jeopardize your future by breaking the law! Return home at the end
of your Program!
Can I travel before I return to hometown? Yes.
You are permitted to travel within the U.S. after your work Program has
ended (the end date on your DS-2019 form). Though your J-1 Work/Travel
visa expires at the end of your employment, in theory you are still
permitted to stay in the country for traveling purpose for up to 30
days. This is known as the “grace period.” However, you will no longer
be covered by Program insurance at that time. Also, you are required to
return to hometown before the start of the new academic year set by
your university. The
other thing you must pay special attention is,
you are STRICTLY PROHIBITED from traveling outside the U.S during the grace period. If you leave
the U.S. after the end date on your DS-2019 form, you will not be
permitted to re-enter the U.S. with the expired J-1 visa. This rule
applies even for airport layovers. So make sure your international air
travel plans do not include stops in the U.S. after you have departed
the country.
Can I travel to other countries during my program? You can travel outside USA only if you can fullfill all three of the follwoing condition,
- Have a multiple-entry visa
- In good standing with the Program
and
- Able to obtain a visa for the country you wish to visit
However,
before you start planning your trip, you will need to send your
DS-2019 form, a copy of your J-1 visa, a self addressed, prepaid and
trackable envelope (e.g.. Fed Ex), with a note stating your travel
dates, U.S. mailing address & phone number to your sponsor at least
TWO WEEKS PRIOR to your trip. The responsible officer will sign the back
of your DS-2019 and attach a “Letter of Good Standing” so that you can
re-enter the country at the end of your trip. You cannot re-enter USA
with the J-1 visa after your Program end date listed in section 3 on
your DS-2019 form. You will not be able to re-enter the U.S. after your
Program has ended. NEVER spend more than 30 days outside the U.S. during
your work period. If you do this, you may have trouble re-entering the
country, your Program may be terminated, or you may be deported. |
About Form and Visa | What is a DS-2019 form? The
DS-2019 form is one of the documents required for the J-1 Work/Travel
Visa application. Without this form, you cannot apply for a J-1 Visa.
And, in order to obtain this form, one must be sponsored by an
organization designated by U.S. Department of State.
What is a J-1 Work/Travel Visa? A J-1 Work/Travel Visa allows your entry to the U.S. as a participant of Summer Work and Travel Program to work for up to 4 months.
Am I guaranteed a J-1 Work/Travel Visa? No.
In addition to the visa application fee, complete forms and various
required documents, you will be required to attend an interview at U.S.
Consulate and discuss the purpose of your visit which will determine the
result of your visa application.
What happens if my visa application is rejected? In
the case of a visa denial, a certain amount of the Program Fee will be charged as placement cost
and the rest of your Program Fee and part of administration fee (RMB1,000) that you have paid
will be refunded. Your administration fee is non-refundable. In order
to collect the refund, you will need to return the original DS-2019
form, along with proof from U.S. Consulate showing your visa application
is rejected.
What is SEVIS? SEVIS (Student
and Exchange Visitor Information System) has been set up by the U.S.
government in an effort to keep track of all J-1 participants'
whereabouts. Therefore, it is VERY IMPORTANT that you register with
SEVIS no later than 10 days after the start date of your DS 2019 form.
If you do not register for SEVIS, you are in danger of losing your visa
sponsorship and being terminated from the program!
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About Housing
| How do I find housing? You
are responsible for your accommodation while in USA. While some
employers may provide housing for employees, you should always get
prepared to arrange your own accommodation. Make sure you have a safe
place to stay in the U.S. before departure. If you cannot manage to
reserve housing for the entire summer, you should arrange short-term
housing for the first week. Though it is your responsibility to make
your housing arrangement, your sponsor and employer will try their best
to assist you if necessary. Once you have secured a place to stay in
USA, you must notify us of where you will be staying. You must do this
before you leave home.
What if I don't like my housing? In
most cases, you are asked to sign a lease or housing agreement with the
landlord for protecting both parties' interests. Before you decide to
move to another housing, please make sure you can take care of any
possible fallout. Check out the terms and conditions of the housing
lease you signed. For example, you may have to give up the housing
deposit you’ve paid. In fact, to avoid such kind of difficult situation,
you are advised to carefully consider your housing options before
making any commitment. Also, if you move to a new place, you need to
notify us and your sponsor of your latest address as soon as possible.
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About Tax | Should I pay tax in the U.S.? Yes!
In the U.S., income taxes are imposed by the federal, state and local
governments. Your employer generally withholds income tax from your
salary and pays it directly to the government. Approximately 10 to 15
percent of your salary will be charged for federal income tax. According
to local laws, states and cities may charge approximately 5 to 8
percent for extra income tax, which will also be withheld from your
paycheck, if applicable. Ask your employer about the local tax
situation. You MUST pay U.S. income tax. Failure to pay any taxes you
owe could cause problems for your U.S. visa application in the future.
Please make sure that these taxes are being withheld from your paycheck.
You may be able to claim back a portion of income taxes as a refund at
the end of the year. To get your tax refund, you must go through a
process called ‘tax filing’ after you have completed the program.
When should I file for the tax return? The
U.S. tax year begins on January 1 and ends on December 31. At the end
of the tax year, which is around the end of February, you will receive the W-2 form. The W-2 form
is an important document for tax filing which details your total wages
and the amount of each tax that was withheld. If you do not receive your W-2
form by the end of March, you should contact your employer directly and request
replacements. To file a tax return, you must complete separate forms for
federal taxes and state/local taxes. Therefore, you are required to file your U.S.
tax returns by April 15.
How am I supposed to do that? For federal tax filing, forms can be found
on the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) website: www.irs.gov. Unlike China, United States income tax laws are considered to be complicated, so
most people and corporations do seek outside assistance with taxes. You
may also contact some tax return agents who will help you file your
taxes with a processing fee. Information of these agents will be given
upon your return from the program. |
General Questions
| How much money should I bring? You
should bring enough money to settle the initial expenses early in your
program. This is very important because it may take you 2 to 3 weeks
before
you receive your first pay check. You will have to pay for the food,
first month’s rent, security deposit for housing, transportation to
workplace, uniform for your job, etc. As a general rule, you should
think about how much money you will need before the first pay-check
arrives and we suggest you to bring around USD1,000 or more when you
arrive.
What does my insurance cover? The
United States Information Agency requires that all visitors be insured
for illness and emergencies. The medical
insurance provided to you by your sponsor is specifically designed to
cover all of the above requirements. Health insurance in the U.S. is
complicated. Visiting your sponsor’s website to understand the coverage
and exclusions of your insurance can prevent you paying a lot of money
when you need medical attention in the U.S. To cover non-medical
aspects, lost baggage for example, you are strongly advised to purchase a
separate personal insurance for your stay in USA.
What if I decide to withdraw the program? Can I get a refund? For the program policy, please refer to Program Confirmation Form (PCF).
What should I do if I need help in USA? There’s a 24-hour emergency support line for Program participants. Emergencies are defined as the following:- Death or medical emergency
- If you are a victim of a serious crime
- If you have been arrested
- Urgent Counseling
For other concerns, you may contact your sponsor during office hours. Examples of problems that they can help you with are: - Loss of DS-2019 and/or I-94 form
- Loss of passport - contact your home country's consulate
- Tenant/Landlord concerns
- Basic legal information and advice for procedures and contacts
- Victim of theft or a non-violent crime
- Employee/Employer concerns
- Social Security and tax problems
- Forwarding your Social Security card
- General information about jobs and housing
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