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Summer Work and Travel
 

The U.S. Embassy in Belgrade encourages all full-time post-secondary students to consider participation in the Summer Work Travel program (SWT). In previous years, approximately 2,500 Serbian students have travelled each summer to different cities across the United States where they experience our people and culture firsthand. They, in turn, share their culture and language with their host communities and provide a mutually beneficial cross-cultural exchange experience.

In addition to gaining valuable English language practice, participants have the chance to acquire work experience in a variety of fields. Upon completion of a work assignment in the United States, students are afforded thirty days to travel within the United States before returning home.

How to Apply for SWT

The vast majority of applicants in Serbia use agencies and a U.S.-based sponsor. The U.S. sponsor is directly responsible for finding students appropriate job placements as well as for ensuring the overall success of the program. In order to make the process more accessible to students, there are many local Serbian recruiting agencies that serve as a liaison between the U.S. sponsors and the students.

Applying for Your Visa

Each applicant must pay the non-refundable visa application fee (140 USD) at a Raiffeisen Bank branch in Serbia. Applicants must submit an original receipt with confirmation of payment at the time of their interview. Applicants must also submit proof that they have paid the non-refundable and non-transferable SEVIS fee (35 USD). For more information please viisit http://www.fmjfee.com/

  • Applicants must appear for their interview on the scheduled date at the appointed time; applicants who submit incomplete packages or miss their appointments will be denied pursuant to 221(g) and must schedule a new interview, which may result in the loss of the opportunity to participate in the SWT program.
  • Qualifying applicants' passports will be received via DHL at the address specified on the DHL waybill approximately 2 business days after the interview.
  • If an applicant will not be able to arrive in the U.S. in time for the beginning date of the program, as reflected in the DS-2019, the application must be suspended until the beginning date is amended in the SEVIS system.
  • Applicants should NEVER purchase tickets prior to receipt of their passport with visa. We are unable to expedite the issuance of visas on the basis of pre-purchased tickets.
  • Applicants may not arrive more than thirty days before the start of the program.
  • Applicants who were denied a SWT J-1 visa for previous seasons are welcome to apply.

Application Package Contents:

  1. Valid passport (and old passports if possible)
  2. DS-160 confirmation page printout
  3. MRV fee receipt
  4. DHL form
  5. DS-2019 (must be signed and dated)
  6. SEVIS fee receipt
  7. Job letter/job offer
  8. Enrollment confirmation
  9. Transcript(s)
  10. Student indeks
  11. Test/quiz on rights working in the U.S.

If you have any additional questions about SWT please contact us at SWTBelgrade@state.gov or visit the U.S. Department of State web site at: http://exchanges.state.gov/jexchanges/programs/swt.html. For information on your rights while working in the United States, you can find more information at: http://www.travel.state.gov/pdf/Pamphlet-Order.pdf

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