Why do I need a US Job Offer?

From 2016 onwards all J1 applicants. regardless of what country they originate from, are required to have a US Job confirmed and listed on their DS-2019*.

*The DS-2019 is a very important and unique document that allows SAYIT to apply for a J1 Visa on your behalf.  This is a Government document and cannot be replaced.  The DS-2019 is one white sheet.  The front of the form contains your personal details, name and date/place of birth.  Read through the form to ensure that all details are correct and sign, place and date the bottom.  If this is not done correctly and precisely it will be returned to you and this may delay your visa application. Your work start and end dates will be printed on your DS-2019. Your work permit only allows you to work from the 15th May until the 15th September if you are studying in R.O.I. If you are studying in Northern Ireland or UK your work permit only allows you to work from the 1st of Jun until the 15th September.

Can I work in any job that I find and how many working hours are required?

J1 applicants are only entitled to be employed in seasonal positions in the touristic areas only within the US. The majority of J1 applicants end up finding employment in the tourism or sales industry (hotels, restaurants, pubs, beach clubs, yacht clubs, souvenir shops, etc) 

There are a number of industries that J1 applicants are prohibited from working in.

Number of Work Hours - Weekly: 33 - 40 hours per week

Every tourist resort area has its “high” and “low” seasons. Students should expect to work fewer hours during the lowest part of the season (perhaps as few as 20 to 25 hours per week for a week or two). They may be expected to work more during the busier times (up to 55 to 60 hours per week). Students will often be working many more hours on the weekends compared to the weekdays.

Employers cannot guarantee hours if there is unexpected bad weather that affects tourist activity.

Students are not permitted to work overnight shifts or more than 12 hours in one day.

Please see below a list of prohibited employers.

•   Hands On Labor
•   Unlimited Bikes
•   YMCA
•   Tour Central Park Inc. (www.bikerent.ync)
•   Pier 66 Maritime
•   Dickey's Barbecue Pit, San Diego
•   Reunion by Chef Art Smith, Chicago 
•   Lakeshore Sport and Fitness at Maggie Daley Park, Chicago 
•   Life Time Fitness, Chicago 
•   16 Handles, Brooklyn 
•   Catering by Michaels
•   Stone Street Tavern ltd (added March 2023)
•   Arimaw Productions (added March 2023)
•   Dee's Concessions (added March 2023)
•   Watermark Concessions (Added March 2023)
•   Nikolas Pizza (Added March 2023)
•   Annie’s Hot Dogs (added April 2023)
•   Dorrians Red Hand (added April 2023)
•   Earl's Restaurant Somerville, Massachusetts (added May 2023)
•   Twisted Spoke, Chicago (added May 2023)
•   Cream, Bearkley (added May 2023)
•   Primark (added May 2023)
•   Kite Loft, Ocean City, MD (added Sept 2023)
•   Yacht Rental LLC - Chicago Party Yacht (added Jun 2024)

Can I change my approved employer before I travel to the US?

You can only change your employer if you have not attended your US Embassy Interview.

If you have already attended your US Embassy Interview, you will not be allowed to change your employer until you travel to the US, submit your new job offer form to your sponsor to vett and then work with your original employer for the minimum of the 2 weeks notice required.

If you have not attended your US Embassy Interview you will be allowed to have your second  job offer vetted by your US Sponsor but will have to pay a €60 DS2019 replacement fee and admin fee of €50.

*Please note that this fee must be paid upfront before your second job offer will be vetted by your US Sponsor. Your first job offer will be automatically cancelled and there is no guarantee offered that your second job offer will be approved.

Can I change my job while in the USA?

If you wish to change jobs after you have started work you may do so provided you have your new job vetted by your US Sponsor in advance of starting the new position. You must give your employer two weeks notice before leaving. More in formation you will find in the J1 Final Pack.

Can I have more than one job in the US?

The US State Department only allows one employer to be listed on your DS-2019 so unfortunately you are not allowed to have a second job approved before you go to the US Embassy or travel to the US. However once you are in the US, you can provide the second job offer to your sponsor and they will vett the position*.

* You must not begin work with the second employer until this job is approved by your sponsor on behalf of the US State Department.

Are there restricted area's where I can't travel to and get a job?

There are areas which been deemed unsuitable by the US Department of State to get a job.  The list is

The list is:

•    Mason, Ohio
•    Pennsylvania
•    North Dakota
•    Nebraska
•    Inland Maryland
•    Key West & Miami, Florida
•    Iowa
•    Las Vegas, Nevada
•    New Orleans, Louisiana
•    Hawaii

A comprehensive list of Zip codes within the US that are allowed on the J1 are listed: https://batchgeo.com/map/b2988a05fbd0b3dbdc821221a48fb547 . You should note that being in these approved areas does not guarantee that a job offer will be approved. 

I’ve found my own job, How long will it take to be approved?

This depends on how soon your sponsor can get in touch with your employer. Once InterExchange review your Job offer form they will contact your employer for a copy of the company business licence, EIN federal tax Id number  and workers compensation policy. How quickly your job is approved will depend on your employer sending your sponsor copies of those documents.

Is there anything I can do to ensure my job is approved faster?

You can contact your employer and inform them that your US sponsor will be contacting them to request their business licenese, EIN Federal Tax ID number, and valid workers compensation insurance certificate.

Where do I send my completed job offer form?

There are 2 ways you can provide your complted job offer form to us:

1.    Login to your SAYIT J1 account and upload the complted form in the Student Uploads section
2.    Email a completed form to j1visa@sayit.ie

Can I work in an office, construction or moving company?

No. You are not allowed to work in an office, as a construction worker or for a moving company do not fall under Seasonal positions and so are prohibited positions under the J1 Summer Work and Travel visa programme. Other prohibit jobs are listed HERE

How much can I expect to be paid?

Participants are compensated at the higher of:

(i) The applicable federal, state, or local minimum wage (including overtime); or

(ii) Pay and benefits commensurate with those offered to their similarly situated U.S. counterparts.

The national minimum wage is currently $7.25 per hour for non-tipped positions. For tipped positions (such as waitstaff), the national minimum wage is $2.13 per hour. Minimum wage requirements may be higher in some states.

Paychecks are typically given out every two weeks.

Students should be prepared to cover their expenses before they receive their first paycheck. (We recommend $1000 or more for these initial expenses, including housing costs or travel to job site.)

Students who receive their final paychecks while traveling in the U.S. or after returning to their home countries may have trouble cashing these checks at out-of-state banks or banks outside the U.S. Arrangements should be made with the employer to prevent this occurrence.

What are the changes to tax refund system set by the US Government from 2018 onwards?

Starting January 1, 2018 (until 2026) the personal exemption has been suspended. In the past participants may have received refunds from the federal government. Due to the change  (IRS Publication 515) participants will not receive any federal refunds if they have earned less than $9,525. State taxes are not affected by this act, and are dependent on the state that the participant worked in. Participants may still be eligible for a State refund regardless of the amount they earned earned. All participants must file Federal Tax Forms so as not to adversely impact any state refunds or future programme participation.

April 15 is the deadline to file tax returns for all exchange visitors who received wages in the United States during the previous year.

Please note: Neither SAYIT J1 nor InterExchange staff are tax experts and do not provide tax advisory services. The information provided here is merely a reminder to participants about basic information needed to file taxes and other resources available to them.

For more information on tax regulations for exchange visitors to the U.S., please visit the IRS webpage on Taxation of Nonresident Aliens.

What taxes will I be subject to in the US?

U.S. law requires that you pay federal, state, and local taxes. Generally, your employer will deduct money from your paycheck every pay period. As an income-earning individual, you will be taxed on income from salaries, wages, and tips. Your employer will submit the amount withheld directly to the federal government. Deductions for state and local taxes will vary. Some states do not have a personal income tax; others may tax income as much as 8%. Similarly, local taxes will vary but will be significantly less. If no taxes are withheld from your pay, please contact InterExchange.

You do pay: Federal income tax, State income tax, Local or city income tax

You do not pay: Social Security (S.S.), Medicare tax (FICA), Federal Unemployment Tax (FUTA)

If you see deductions that say FICA, FUTA, S.S. or Social Security, please notify your employer promptly. If your employer is unable to issue a refund, contact the Internal Revenue Service Center and request IRS Form 843 Claim for Refund and Request for Abatement. You will need to submit the completed IRS forms to the Internal Revenue Service Center. Please note: some states may deduct state unemployment taxes, which you are required to pay.