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Summer Work USA

Summer working holidays USA

Pre-arranged 2-3 month summer job

Full-time student? Spend your university summer holidays earning and exploring in the USA – complete with a pre-arranged hospitality job, medical insurance, visa support and more.

LET'S TALK
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Two girls on the beach in California
From Cape Cod to Cali, we annually add 1,000+ summer jobs to our Job Hub
Not a student? Check out Summer Camp USA with our sibling brand, BUNAC
Looking to save your summer salary? Ask us about roles that include housing!

Swap your uni holidays for a summer job in the States

Why should Canadians do a working holiday in USA?

Need to know

What is Summer Work USA?

ASK US ANYTHING

At a glance

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$1,650

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18-28 + full-time student

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3-4 months (Jun-Sep)

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Pre-arranged summer job

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60 days to travel

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Staff housing often included

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5 months’ medical insurance

Why work and travel in America

Iconic locations

Resume experience

Funded summer

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Visa + cost

USA working holiday requirements

Am I eligible for a USA working holiday J-1 visa?

  • You need to be 18-28 years old and a current full-time student in a Canadian post-secondary institution
  • Have no criminal record
  • Be able to commit to the full summer season of your J-1 employer, usually 8-12 weeks from Jun-Aug
  • Have a passport that’s valid for at least six months beyond your stay with a free double page for your paper visa
  • Be able to provide proof of supporting funds of USD $1,200 at the time of your visa application

Deposit


$100

Second payment


$200

Final payment


$1,350

Total

$1,650

Secure your spot with a $100 deposit
  • Pre-arranged 2-3 month summer job (May-Aug)
  • 5 months’ medical insurance
  • J-1 legal work papers (DS-2019)
  • Digital handbook packed with pre-departure tips, guides + local knowledge
  • Step-by-step J-1 visa guidance
  • SEVIS US Government fee
  • Pre-departure orientation for all the intel
  • Discord group for all the friends
  • 1-on-1 support before you go
  • 24/7 support on the ground

*Please note, the cost is the same whether you go through our US employers or find your own job

I-94 arrival fee

Paid directly to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and currently costs USD $24

Support funds

You may be required to show proof that you can access USD $1,200

Travel insurance

Medical cover is included, but travel insurance is required to cover the rest of your trip

Flights

We don’t recommend booking flights until your visa is approved

Balancing profit with purpose, SWAP only works for us if it works for others too. As part of the JENZA Travel Group, we donate 5% of profits to our JENZA Youth Access Scholarship Fund – helping 18-30s from under-represented groups and lower-income backgrounds to experience a SWAP working holiday or overseas internship. Find out more and apply for scholarship funding.

Swapportunities

What type of jobs can Canadians do on a USA summer working holiday?

America in numbers

50

The years we've run SWAP cultural exchanges

1,000

Number of jobs we add to our Job Hub

$7,680

The amount you could earn in USD

100%

The best thing you can do with your uni holidays

How to find a summer job

The Job Hub

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Reasons to do a summer working holiday in the USA

Swap it like it's hot

1

The Capes

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The Capes

Lifeguarding and lobster shacks
Not all heroes wear capes, but all Capes need heroes. From Cape May in New Jersey to Cape Cod in Massachussets, these seaside holiday spots come alive in summer and are in need of lifeguards, seafood servers and marina staff. On evenings and days off, you'll be rewarded with white sand beaches, sailing adventures, and both Cape Cod and Cape May are an easy road trip away from the bright lights of either Boston or New York.

1

Girls and booys on the beach in the sun

The Capes

Lifeguarding and lobster shacks
Not all heroes wear capes, but all Capes need heroes. From Cape May in New Jersey to Cape Cod in Massachussets, these seaside holiday spots come alive in summer and are in need of lifeguards, seafood servers and marina staff. On evenings and days off, you'll be rewarded with white sand beaches, sailing adventures, and both Cape Cod and Cape May are an easy road trip away from the bright lights of either Boston or New York.
Girl walking down in hill in San Francisco

California

Sunny beaches and surf towns
California is iconic. The beaches of the Golden State are, surprise surprise, gold standard. Our pick of the bunch is applying for a job on Catalina Island. Home to wooded hills, swaying palms and golden beaches – it's a dream of a job destination. Plus, it's a quick ferry to Newport Beach in the OC – home of TV, real housewife and bougie billionaire fame. And beyond that, road trip heaven along the Cali coast via either LA or San Diego.

2

Girl walking down in hill in San Francisco

California

Sunny beaches and surf towns
California is iconic. The beaches of the Golden State are, surprise surprise, gold standard. Our pick of the bunch is applying for a job on Catalina Island. Home to wooded hills, swaying palms and golden beaches – it's a dream of a job destination. Plus, it's a quick ferry to Newport Beach in the OC – home of TV, real housewife and bougie billionaire fame. And beyond that, road trip heaven along the Cali coast via either LA or San Diego.
Two girls in red bikinis on the beach

Long Island resorts

The Hamptons and Montauk
Known as Manhattan's beachfront backyard, Long Island is the go-to summer destination for New Yorkers and beach-lovers all over. With lakeside country clubs, hotels and wineries catering for America's socialites, celebs and surfers – there's plenty of work in working holiday season. Whether you're serving small plates in The Hamptons or lifeguarding in Montauk, life in Long Island is as good as it gets.

3

Two girls in red bikinis on the beach

Long Island resorts

The Hamptons and Montauk
Known as Manhattan's beachfront backyard, Long Island is the go-to summer destination for New Yorkers and beach-lovers all over. With lakeside country clubs, hotels and wineries catering for America's socialites, celebs and surfers – there's plenty of work in working holiday season. Whether you're serving small plates in The Hamptons or lifeguarding in Montauk, life in Long Island is as good as it gets.
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Find out more about USA work and holiday

Got questions?

SWAP have been doing working holidays for Canadians for 50+ years. We know our stuff and we love talking about travel. So, if you still have questions about working holidays in USA – visa requirements, types of jobs, which beach has the best surf – give us a call. We'll figure it out together.
BOOK A CALL

How it works

Applying for your visa and getting hired

Countdown to summer

  • Check your eligibility, hit ‘Apply now’ and create your profile to start your application. You can then access your online account anytime from the top of this page. Once you’ve paid your deposit, book a time to have your phone interview with our US team. Nothing scary – this is a US Government requirement to check your eligibility for the J-1 work program.

    1 day

  • Before your interview, you’ll need to start filling out your sponsorship application. This includes starting to upload your documents – including your CV, passport copy and proof of student status. Your phone interview will last around 20 minutes and is a good time to get all your questions answered. After your interview, you’ll need to make your second payment.

    1-7 days

  • You'll then get access to the SWAP Job Hub where you can search, apply and video interview with employers. If you’re a solo traveller, travelling with friends or don’t want the hassle of finding accommodation – focus on country clubs. They typically recruit for multiple positions and provide staff accommodation.

    14+ days

  • Once hired, your job will need to be approved by our US sponsor. We’ll then start working on your sponsorship paperwork. This can take 2-3 weeks. Once you’ve paid in full, your sponsorship paperwork (DS-2019) will be sent to you electronically. You’ll need this to apply for your J-1 visa.

    14-21 days

  • Once you have your J-1 visa it’s safe to book transport, travel insurance, and (if not included with your job) confirm your accommodation. From April onwards, the team run pre-departure orientations to help you prep for life in the US.

    1-7 days

  • You must arrive into the US within 10 days of the date on your DS-2019. When you arrive, you’ll need to download a i-94 form from the US Government website and go to a local social security office to get your Social Security Number. Paperwork sorted, have a great summer!

Read the SWAP blog

Inspo from around the world

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Got questions?

We've got answers

Not found what you're looking for? Hit 'Ask a question' below and one of our SWAP Support Squad will come back to you - pen pal style.
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Let's talk

USA experts
Call us for all the intel and info on where to go and what jobs you can do.
BOOK A CALL
  • Summer Work USA is a J-1 summer work and travel experience exclusive to university students. It allows you to work for up to four months in a paid seasonal job anywhere in the USA over the summer period – with 30 days before and after to travel. You can usually work between May/Jun-Aug/Sep.

  • Yes, to be eligible for Summer Work USA you must be 18-28 years old and a current full-time student for the academic year that you are applying for. You must be enrolled in a Canadian post-secondary institution.

    Not Canadian? Check out the same program on our global work and travel site, JENZA.

  • Applications for Summer Work USA are usually accepted until April each year. The entire booking process can take up to three months, so unfortunately, we cannot accept applications after this date for the summer. Please also note that J-1 visas are limited, so it’s important to apply as early as possible. If you are finding your own job versus a job from our Job Hub, please add an additional 4-6 weeks to the above timeline.
  • Yes, you can apply for Summer Work Travel every summer you are a full-time university student – up to three times in total.

  • This type of J-1 visa permits you to do what’s classed as ‘seasonal’ work. Our US employers need large numbers of summer staff each year to help them over their busiest period, so jobs are mostly in the hospitality, tourism and retail industry. Typical positions include working in country clubs, resorts, theme parks, hotels, ice-cream parlours, shops and restaurants as servers, bartenders, lifeguards, pool attendants, baristas, housekeepers, groundskeepers, receptionists and more.

    Country club roles are often popular as they usually include staff accommodation, are great for meeting others, and will give you that classic summer experience.

  • Apart from some restricted areas, your J-1 visa allows you to work pretty much anywhere in the USA and we have pre-vetted jobs in a range of US cities, including New York, San Diego, Boston, Chicago, LA and San Francisco. However, jobs can be more competitive in the cities and accommodation more expensive, so consider applying for jobs in surrounding areas popular with tourists – such as Long Island, New York State and New Jersey for NYC; Cape Cod for Boston; and Catalina Island for LA. You can then travel into the city on your days off.
  • All our employers need multiple international students to cover their busy summer period and actively recruit via our Summer Work USA program, so it’s unlikely you’d be working by yourself. If you want to ensure you’re working alongside American and international students, target jobs on our Job Hub that advertise for multiple positions and include staff accommodation where you’ll have a ready-made group of friends.
  • Each person must interview individually for jobs and are hired on their own merit. Therefore, there is no guarantee that you will be placed together. We recommend mentioning in your application that you’re applying together, but be clear that you are happy to work in different areas of the company. Then apply for the larger employers advertising multiple positions on the Job Hub – such as country clubs, hotels and theme parks.
  • Annually we add 1,000+ jobs to our Job Hub, so are confident that we can get you interviews with our US employers. If you’re struggling to find a position, our SWAP team will step in, review your CV and recommend jobs that will fit your skills and interests. We’d also recommend applying early when there are still plenty of jobs available and being open-minded about where you work.
  • If you don’t want to use one of the vetted employers on our Job Hub, we may still be able to sponsor you. However, we would need to get your job and employer approved by our US visa sponsor. The cost and process to do this is the same as the Summer Work USA price.

  • Outside of the main cities, many employers we work with (such as theme parks, resorts and country clubs) provide free or subsidised staff housing. This is usually shared accommodation that can cost between USD $50-$125/week depending on the location.

    If housing isn't provided, your employer will often be able to assist you in finding accommodation nearby. In your online account, you’ll also find a list of sites where you can search for accommodation. In US cities like New York, short-term accommodation can be expensive and hard to come by, so we advise researching accommodation costs before you apply for those jobs.

  • Yes. Medical insurance is included that covers against accident and illness while you are in the USA, but does not cover for routine care. You must also purchase comprehensive travel insurance to cover you against other aspects of your trip – including cancellation, curtailment, legal cover, luggage, personal items, repatriation and more.
  • DS-2019 (Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status) is the official certificate of eligibility that you need to apply for a J-1 visa.
  • SEVIS stands for Student and Exchange Visitor Information System and is a database where the US Government keeps track of cultural exchange visitors on a J-1 visa. The cost of being placed in the SEVIS database is USD $35 and is included in your program.
  • To apply for your J-1 visa, you must have a US Government approved sponsor. Together with our US partner, we provide the sponsorship to work in America and apply for your visa – with 1-on-1 support from our SWAP team throughout the whole process.
  • Ask your question here and one of our team will come back to you.

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