CIEE- council on international educational exchange

You didn’t come to the U.S. just to work! One of the many benefits of CIEE Work & Travel USA is that you can explore the U.S. after your work ends! However, before you take off on your trip of a lifetime, make sure you’re eligible. Talk with your employer and CIEE to make sure you meet all of the requirements. Where will you go? What will you see? What will your story be?

Traveling Outside the U.S.

If you plan to travel outside the U.S. during the program, you may only do so during the work dates in Box 3 of your DS-2019 and for no longer than 30 days. If you travel outside the U.S., you must have your original DS-2019 signed for travel by CIEE and receive a Good Standing Letter. For detailed instructions on how to obtain proper travel validation from CIEE, please call or email CIEE.

Important Rules for Travel Outside the U.S.

Notify CIEE two weeks before any trip outside the U.S. to ensure you get your DS-2019 signed and returned.
Travel to Mexico, Canada, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands (St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas) is covered by CIEE insurance. Travel anywhere else outside the U.S. is not covered by CIEE insurance.
Your J-1 Visa must be valid and the dates on your DS-2019 must be current when re-entering the U.S. It is your responsibility to make sure that you meet the re-entry requirements.
Do not travel without your signed DS-2019. Doing so will cause delays of 30 to 90 days for Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to process your paperwork and mail it to CIEE.
Depending on your home country, you may be required to have a visa for the country you are traveling to. Be sure to check with the embassy before you travel anywhere outside the U.S.
You must be authorized to enter the U.S. on more than one occasion. The number of times you are allowed to enter the United States is indicated on your J-1 Visa under the section “entries.” You can have multiple entries if the letter “M” appears in this section; if it does not, you are only allowed to enter the U.S. the specific number of times indicated (usually 1 or 2).
Mail your DS-2019 and a note that explains your travel plans in an envelope to CIEE, using the U.S. Postal Service, FedEx, or UPS. Include a prepaid return envelope (from CIEE to your U.S. mailing address) using the same mail service. Do not send money in the mail.
If you have multiple trips outside of the U.S. planned, please call or email CIEE before sending in your DS-2019.Depending on your travel dates, you may not need to have your documents signed.

Should I lock my luggage?

In some cases screeners will have to open your baggage as part of the screening process. If you decide to lock your checked baggage and TSA cannot open your checked baggage through other means, then the locks may have to be broken.

TSA suggests that you help prevent the need to break your locks by using a TSA recognized locking mechanism.

A Youth Hostel is good quality budget accommodation that offers a comfortable night's sleep in friendly surroundings at an affordable price.

The Youth Hostel Association provides a very comprehensive web site which provides details concerning accommodations, prices, hours of operation, and other details.

CIEE

Traveling Outside the U.S.

WYSE Work Abroad: Expand Your Horizons Video Contest

CIEE Extras