J1 email sent 12/12/13

13 December, 2013

Dear J1 student,

We thought we would drop you a mail to bring you up to speed on a number of different items.

J1 LOUNGE ACCESS
In order to log in please visit www.j1.ie/login
 

Your username is the 6 digit numerical code that you would have received in your confirmation email.

Your password is your email address.
 

You are now able to make all payments online through the J1 Lounge.

PASSPORT COPY, STAMPED & SIGNED APPLICATION FORM, FLIGHTS and SEVIS
Please ensure that you have submitted to SAYIT a copy of your passport, your application form stamped and signed and contacted the J1 Department on 021 4279190/ 1850 518 472 to reserve your flights. If you have not paid the SEVIS payment (the next €30 off your balance), we recommend that you do so immediately. Your application is on hold and your DS2019 (work permit) cannot be ordered until these steps have been completed.

INTEREXCHANGE
You will receive an email from the US Sponsor InterExchange which will advise you to confirm you your participation in the J1 Program. Your DS2019 will not be released from the US until this is completed.


EMBASSY INTERVIEWS

The US Embassy has advised a new procedure for 2014 going forward.

Firstly the embassy no longer accepts payment on the interview day but payment must be made at time of scheduling. To this end, we will now be taking the Embassy Fee of €130 from all students before we make the embassy appointments. Therefore all invoices will now be updated with this amount and an up-to-date copy will be emailed through to you. We will be unable to schedule your appointment if you have not made this payment.

Secondly the embassy will no longer allow appointments to be scheduled without the student completing the DS160 (Visa Application Form). At this early stage we would recommend that students begin the DS160 https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/  

Please refer to the ‘US Embassy Interview’ section in the J1 Lounge for information on the procedure on starting the DS160. You must not finish the DS160 without receiving you SEVIS & Program Numbers from us. These numbers will be on your DS2019 forms and will be advised to you in your embassy pack.

J1 DEPOSIT INCREASE 
Due to changes made by the US Embassy we will be increasing our deposit from €50 to €80 so that the SEVIS amount will be taken with the deposit. This will take affect from the 1st January 2014. This will not affect you in any way but if your friends have not booked so far, you should advise them to book on the low cost deposit of €50 on or before the 31st December 2013.

EMPLOYMENT IN THE USA

Under new US State Department regulations (2012) all jobs must be vetted by our US co-operator; InterExchange before you commence work.  This process can take anything up to 72 hours.
Therefore we strongly recommend you actively seek a job now and have it in place before you arrive in the USA.

In the J1 Lounge we have listed employers who have hired J1 participants in the past. Be pro-active and contact these employers, set up an interview via Skype and do your best to secure a position. If you secure employment please contact us with the details. InterExchange will then vet your employer and will contact them to confirm the position and request additional information such as a copy of their Business License and Workers Compensation. You will then be notified that your US Job has been approved/declined.

Please note you CANNOT begin working until your job has been approved by InterExchange. Failure to abide by this programme regulation can result in your visa/sponsorship being revoked and your immediate return to Ireland. A revoked visa will have a negative impact on all future visa applications to the USA.

We cannot emphasise enough how important it is to secure a job before you travel. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact us on 021 4279190 | 1850 518 472.

Many thanks
The SAYIT J1 Team
j1visa@sayit.ie