Q: What are the requirements to be eligible for the J-1 Summer Work and Travel (SWT) visa?

A: The US Embassy in Jamaica adjudicates the largest number of SWT applicants worldwide. The following are required to be eligible:

You must be currently enrolled as a full-time student at an accredited, post-secondary, classroom-based academic institution

You must have completed at least one semester

Your J-1 SWT programme must not exceed four months.

Please be prepared to present a progress report or official transcript to the consular officer at the time of your interview.

Q: What do I need for my SWT visa application?

A: You will receive and must present a DS-2019 form that supports your application for a J-1 “exchange visitor visa”. All applicants must fill out the DS-160 visa application, pay the application fee and the (SEVIS) fee, and schedule a visa appointment. Please make sure to bring the following documentation to the interview:

Valid passport

DS-160 (confirmation page)

2 passport-size photos (taken less than 6 months ago on a white background)

DS-2019

SEVIS receipt

Insurance coverage letter from prospective employer

Current proof of full-time student status from academic institution: current registration/status letter

For those who have graduated: proof of graduation date.

You should wait until you have all of the required documentation before scheduling your visa interview.

We have increased the availability of appointments for J-1 exchange visitor visa applicants in an effort to accommodate as many applicants as possible this season. We advise J-1 SWT applicants to apply well in advance of their scheduled departure dates. We will not approve emergency appointments for exchange visitor SWT applicants. If you wait too long to schedule your appointment, you may not be able to secure a time slot in advance of your programme start date.

You can find more information about how to travel to the United States on our website, https://jm.usembassy.gov/ and the website of our authorised service provider at www.usvisa-info.com http://www.usvisa-info.com. Keep on top of embassy news on our Facebook page, www.facebook.com/pages/US-Embassy-Jamaica http://www.facebook.com/pages/US-Embassy-Jamaica and by following @USEmbassyJA on Twitter. We also answer general visa questions on our Facebook and Twitter pages.