Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: Do I have to be a student to go?
A: YES the program is only open to Full-time 3rd Level students that are returning to Ireland after they have completed their summer work in the USA.

Q: Who can go on the J1 Programme?
A: If you are a full-time student in College or University, the J-1 Summer Work Experience & Travel programme is the programme for you. The J-1 visa allows you to enter the U.S.A and work for up to 4 months and then travel for a further 30 days after this (only during your university summer break).
To be eligible you must:

Q: Can I arrange a job before I go?
A: The US Government regulations state that 50% of all participants should have a prearranged job leaving their home country. We have the links to the very detailed websites and to employers throughout the USA where you can choose a job from thousands on offer.
Go4Less will give you lots of assistance and contacts in finding your own job through our very comprehensive website, although ultimately you are free to choose your own job more specific to your degree or careers ambitions.

Q: What type of employment do most J1ers obtain?
A: The majority of J1ers end up choosing seasonal tourism based employment. The most common jobs are in resorts, restaurants, cafes, bars and amusement parks. Some J1ers choose to work in retails sales jobs in local shops as shift work can be the most flexible way to get a few days off at a time to do some travelling to nearby locations. A small number of J1ers choose to work in administration based jobs as they have steady reliable hours and quite often pay more than tourism or retail type jobs. There is also a small percentage of J1ers who obtain employment in their field of study in college. This can be harder to manage but with some research before departure it is possible and it looks very good on your CV upon your return to Ireland.

Q: Are there any restrictions to the types of employment I can obtain? Yes, there are certain jobs that the US government has restricted for J1 visa holders. These jobs include, but are not limited to: ?
A:
Childcare Domestic jobs in family homes (nanny, child carer, maid, etc.)
Camp Counsellor
Teaching / Teaching Assistant (including ESL)
Coaching sports teams
Personal Trainer
Jobs involving physical contact (beauty therapy, hairdressing, massage, etc.)
Medical Services
Veterinary Science
Onboard crew for flight and cruise ship
Recruitment agency positions
Commission only positions
Employment in the Adult Entertainment Industry

Q: Can I change jobs over the summer?
A: Yes, you can change jobs throughout your summer in the US. However, before doing so you must contact your J1 sponsor, Intrax for details.

Q: Can I work with friends?
A: Yes. A lot of students apply for jobs with their friends. Just make sure you both mention that you want to work with each other on your application forms and to the employers you are contacting. However placement with friends is NOT guaranteed.

Q: Can I extend my visa after it's expiry date?
A: No. It is NOT possible to extend your visa. You are only able to work during the legal program dates as indicated on the Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitors DS-2019 visa form, which is supplied to you by Go4Less/INTRAX WORK TRAVEL.

Q: Do I have to take the Go4Less insurance policy?
A: Yes. The fees you pay to Go4Less include at least a 3 mth Go4Less insurance policy. It is an excellent policy as it is specifically designed with young travellers in mind. There is no free health service in the US and all medical care must be paid for. Medical care is very expensive in the USA, so we want to ensure that you are adequately covered. If you have a pre-existing condition please call the office for advice as you may require additional cover. When you receive the insurance policy leaflet, be sure to read the policy carefully so you know what is covered and what is not.

Q: Where will I live?
A: You will need to organise accommodation in the USA. Our website puts you in touch with places that you can rent from and also employers that do have employee housing, if you get in early!

Q: I may have to take repeat exams in August/September. How will this affect my trip to the USA?
A: Every year there are a number of people who receive the bad news that they have to repeat an exam. Having repeats doesn't have to mean the end of the summer, but if you have to go home early, we help change your flight (for a fee not covered by insurance) but we will book your return ticket back out to the USA, which will be reimbursed to you by the insurance company. Remember we can take our Exam Failure Insurance for just a €49 supplement.
Note: this cover must be taken out before you sit your first exam.

Q: Is there someone I can speak to about the program to find out what to expect?
A: Yes. In addition to being on campuses around the country, we will also be holding J1 talks. Register for a talk and we will contact you by SMS to advise you when the next talk is taking place. Talks last less than 1 hour and even though optional, we strongly recommend you attend one. If you are unsure about what is involved, what you would do, or if you just want to find out more before applying, then attend!

Q: What is the average price for accommodation?
A: The majority of participants said that their rent was $50-$100 per week. Although rents can certainly be higher, many also found cheaper accommodation. If you are thinking about living in a large city (New York, Boston, Chicago, LA, San Francisco, Miami, Washington DC, etc) or posh resorts such as Nantucket, Martha's Vineyard, the Hamptons in NY, then you can expect to pay quite a bit in rent.