Uni Gap Year Work & Travel
Imagine spending a whole year travelling and working in America?
We pre-place Kiwis and Australians into amazing paid positions for 12 months across America in some of the best Resorts and Employers!
Gain amazing work experience for your career.
This visa is so secret hardly anyone knows about it!
Uni Gap 12 Month Work & Travel USA Program & Visa
If you found this page you’re one of the few that now know about this working holiday visa for America!
What’s included?
- Guaranteed placement in an amazing resort in America (all types of jobs for all types of people)
- A 12 month Work & Travel J1 Visa sponsorship (for current or recent tertiary students)
- Pay ranges from $10US to $20US+ per hour + tips
- Medical and Baggage Insurance for your entire stay (up to 13 months)
- A freephone number for 24/7 emergency support in USA
- Support in USA throughout your year
- A local NZ Facebook group/Discord to hook up with other kiwis doing the same things
- A handbook to guide you through your arrival, visa and your year ahead
- Exclusive ultimate Resort experience for your CV and career or just spend a year chilling on a working holiday that has nothing to do with your study.
- Assistance with flights through our own travel department – we can get you some awesome deals
- Work experience related to your field of study can be hard to get – this gets you not only in the door but experience at top level American Resorts.
Locations include:
Why is this visa so secret?
We actually had the US Consulate Consular General a few years ago do a combined talk with us about this visa at the Auckland University because he felt it was so under utilised. Universities and US Employers often don’t know about it.
What type of visa do I need in order to enter America on the 12-month Student Work and Travel Program?
The 12-month Student Work and Travel Pilot Program falls under the existing exchange visitor category. Under this visa category, NZ and Australian passport holders experience and contribute to U.S. culture by participating in programs approved by the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The Student Work and Travel Pilot Program allows participants to combine work, and travel in the United States for up to 12 months.
What are the eligibility requirements for the 12 Month J1 visa?
The Student Work and Travel Pilot Program is based on the existing Exchange Visitor Program. In addition to the requirements for other exchange visa programs, participants traveling to the U.S. on the Student Work and Travel Pilot Program must also:
- Be a citizen of New Zealand or Australia
- Be a bona fide post-secondary student or recent graduate (within the last 12 months), and provide evidence from post-secondary institution to this effect; and
- Not be accompanied by dependents.
- Unlike participants in other exchange visa programs, Student Work and Travel Program participants are not required to return home in time for the academic school year to begin.
What is "post-secondary education" for this 12 Month J1 Visa program?
To be considered a bona fide post-secondary student, you must have completed your first semester of a post-high school (tertiary level) approved 12+ month program such as a Bachelor’s degree program or other course which will lead to the issuance of a degree or Diploma (Level 4, 5 or 6 NZQA).
How long can I stay in America on this 12 Month J1 Visa for USA?
The visa is for a total of 12 months work and 30 days grace to travel and leave the country.
What is the difference between the B-1/B-2 business and tourist visa and the Student Work and Travel Pilot Program visa?
Australian and New Zealand participants in the Student Work and Travel Pilot Program may work and travel in the U.S. for up to 12 months. Hardly anyone knows about this visa!
The B-1/B-2 business and tourist visa allows short stays to conduct business meetings, attend conferences, visit family, or engage in other temporary business or tourist activities.
B-1/B-2 visa holders may not work or study in the U.S.
How recent does my graduation need to be for the 12 Month Work & Travel Visa for America?
A recent graduate is a New Zealand or Australian passport holder who has graduated from a post-secondary college/university (tertiary level) in your home country within the last 12 months. You must provide evidence of student status – we can help you with the paperwork.
If I am attending a Polytech type school am I eligible for participation in this 12 Month J1 Visa program?
The requirements are that an Australian or NZ citizen wishing to travel to the United States must qualify as a student; that is, someone who is currently enrolled in a bona fide post-secondary course of study or who has completed/graduated from a bona fide post-secondary course of study within the last 12 months. Evidence to this effect must be provided.
Students attending vocational studies at TAFE (AU) and Polytech (NZ) are also eligible to participate in the Student Work and Travel Program. The U.S. State Department has determined that TAFE and Polytechs meet the educational requirements of the Student Work and Travel Program.
Is there an upper age limit for the 12 Month Work & Travel Visa?
No but if you are 30+ the US Consulate (and us) may question your reasons for wanting to work in America now, so we will work with you to make sure you are eligible and likely to get your visa declined BEFORE you apply
How do I get started with the application process and how long does it take to get the visa?
To pre-apply (we make sure you qualify for the 12 Month J1 Work & Travel USA Visa before you pay anything – please complete this application form.
Once we have accepted you onto the program we can help pre-place you with a screened and approved employer or you can just apply for the visa and take the gamble of getting your own job on arrival.
The visa process takes about 4-5 weeks.
Matching you with your perfect job may take a bit longer depending on interview schedules of the employer.
Do I need a visa to work in America?
YES!
Without sponsorship from an approved sponsor like ours you cannot work legally in America. This 12 Month Work & Travel Visa is the closest thing to a working holiday visa for America.
Can I return to America on the 12 Month Work & Travel Visa
As long as you…
- Return home to get your new visa
- Still meet the eligibility for the visa
then yes you can return to America on a new 12 Month Work & Travel Visa.
You will still need to show strong ties to home.
What do I need to apply?
- You need to be a full time tertiary student (course needs to be 12+ months long) or a recent tertiary graduate (last 12 months) from a full-time course – online courses are not accepted.
- You need to hold a current NZ or Australian passport for the 12 month Work & Travel Visa
- You will need to be aged 18 or over.
- We do accept International Passport holders for our Internship Visa also
- Please contact us with a brief background on any qualifications you hold and work experience to confirm that you will be accepted into the programme if you are unsure.
In order to qualify as a graduate or current student you will need to meet the following criteria:
- Hold a NZ or Australian passport for the 12 month USA J1 Work & Travel Visa
- We have a J1 Internship visa available for other passport holders
- Be a tertiary student or recent tertiary graduate.
- A recent graduate is defined as someone who has graduated from a post-secondary college/university in their home country within the last 12 months. The applicant must provide evidence of student status.
- Vocational students pursuing studies at a tertiary level accredited educational institution are eligible for participation.
- Applicants must provide proof of sufficient financial resources, prior to coming to the United States, to support themselves during a search for employment or between breaks in employment.
How much will it cost?
We have financial assistance options available for this program.
Please fill out an enquiry form below & we will be able to discuss your options.