J-Visa for the USA!

Colmfatcamp

I think this deserves it's own thread, due to it's hugeness!

US to issue 20,000 one-year work visas

"TWENTY THOUSAND one-year working visas to the United States are to be made available under a deal to be agreed in a final round of talks in Washington today, it emerged last night.

Under the new agreement, the J visas will be available not just to students as the existing three-month J1 visas, but to anyone with a secondary-school education, or a trade.

The package has been worked on for several months by the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Irish Embassy in Washington, led by Ambassador Michael Collins, and the US state department.

Speaking in New York in July, Taoiseach Brian Cowen made it clear that action on visas and immigration to the United States would be a priority during his time in office.

The visa deal to be agreed today with the state department will come into force in the New Year, sources said last night. So far, it is not yet clear what the top qualifying age for applications will be.

Relations between the Irish-American community and the Government, which were near- poisonous in the final months before Bertie Ahern departed from office, have improved significantly in recent times."


This is the best news I've heard in a long time! I'm glad a deal has been brokered, it may not be a huge amount but it's definetely a start. Cant wait to hear more information on it, keep your ears to the ground people!

CC

Deedsie

Was there any indication when people will be able to apply for these visas? I fair regret not going on a J1. Not missing this opportunity.

Uncle Rico

It will be interesting to hear exactly what the stipulations to qualify will be. I know a lot of the foreign one year visas the age limit is 30.
There doesn't seem to be any update on the American Embassy site yet.

I'm guessing a huge amount of people will apply in the first year, particularly tradespeople due to the current climate of their sector.

Colmfatcamp

I'm reading and hearing various reports that there will be a cut-off age, which will presumably reduce the amount of applicants, but I dont expect there to be a mob of entries. 20,000 is quite a lot for a country like ours, and I'm sure those who really want it and are willing to act on it quickly, will indeed get the visa. As long as its not some sort of lottery system, I never really thought much of that idea.

I expect that if this works out well then further opportunities will exist for Irish people in the US down the line, like making the visa's longer or offering other opportunities like that. Ultimately, when you are actually living there for a year then there is a far greater chance of securing a livlihood for yourself there through other avenues.

CC

2Scoops

Hopefully, not very many people will overstay on these visas.

Sqaull20

When is it going to come in?

I'll be finished my apprenticeship next November or so if everything goes well ( it will probably come in Oct 28th with my luck )

States isnt really booming like OZ is it?

What would be the best place to go for work and weather?

Is it going to be like OZ with a 3 month limit on job?

jank

I would like to take one of these if im eligable. 27 now, 28 in 6 months, so not getting younger but nothing yet on an age limit

Kanney

Nothing yet on age limit, whats the site where we'll be able to know the details, I know they're supposed to be announced this week.
Whats everyones expectations for age? Early 20's? Late 20's? 30 Years old cut off point??

jank

It will be 30 or nothing

silja

Australia's cut-off is 26 so I am thinking it may be that. Though if these visas are aimed at making illegals legal, as some have speculated, there may be no age limit.

brendansmith

silja wrote: »

Australia's cut-off is 26

Incorrect

Benedict XVI

brendansmith wrote: »

Incorrect

Thanks for your insight, but could you please do us all a favor and tell us what the cut off age is seeing as you believe 26 is incorrect.

It would be helpful.

Xavi6

31 is the cut off

damnyanks

Got links? Is it all official now ? When can we apply

Benedict XVI

damnyanks wrote: »

Got links? Is it all official now ? When can we apply

Xavi6 wrote: »

31 is the cut off

Lets Avoid confusion here

Is 31 the cutoff for the US or AUS ?

Xavi6

Benedict XVI wrote: »

Lets Avoid confusion here

Is 31 the cutoff for the US or AUS ?

31 is the age for Australia

I was responding to your comment at brendansmith

damnyanks

my bad

silja

I stand corrected, it's 30 for Australia!
http://www.workpermit.com/australia/temporary/working_holiday_visa.htm

Colmfatcamp

It's 35 for Canada, but there's probably no point in speculating! I suspect that because it was never mentioned in initial reports then there may not be an age limit, but I haven't heard any more word about the visa's because I dont think everything is finalised on it yet.

CC

Kanney

What do you think will be the odds of a 22 year old? I'm out of college (dropped out), have family (as most) in Boston, and am starting college again in Sept. Hoping to get on this from Jan-Sept.
I'm getting my hopes up I guess, but I love America, pretty much everything about it.

estebancambias

Hate the ordeal of getting a visa....luckily for me if i ever go there my entery will be easy...the thing is i couldn't be bothered going back..

kjt

Kanney wrote: »

What do you think will be the odds of a 22 year old? I'm out of college (dropped out), have family (as most) in Boston, and am starting college again in Sept. Hoping to get on this from Jan-Sept.
I'm getting my hopes up I guess, but I love America, pretty much everything about it.

I'd say no bother to you

silja

Kanney wrote: »

What do you think will be the odds of a 22 year old? I'm out of college (dropped out), have family (as most) in Boston, and am starting college again in Sept. Hoping to get on this from Jan-Sept.
I'm getting my hopes up I guess, but I love America, pretty much everything about it.

I don't think the visas will be available for January 09 if that is what you are planning, as they haven't even announced the details yet, but maybe you could try for January 2010.

I would think it'll be a sort of lottery- an application period of a few weeks, and then if there are more applicants than visas, they'll draw names out of a hat.

Bonnie's Babe

The announcement on www.rte.ie/news last week said that details would be finalised by tomorrow so fingers crossed! We're planning on going to Toronto next May but may change to Boston if this was an option - just hoping for age limit of 35!!!

Kanney

silja wrote: »

I don't think the visas will be available for January 09 if that is what you are planning, as they haven't even announced the details yet, but maybe you could try for January 2010.

I would think it'll be a sort of lottery- an application period of a few weeks, and then if there are more applicants than visas, they'll draw names out of a hat.

Surely it wont take over a year to finalise the visas will it?

Carturo

estebancambias wrote: »

Hate the ordeal of getting a visa....luckily for me if i ever go there my entery will be easy...the thing is i couldn't be bothered going back..

Good post. :rolleyes:

silja

Kanney wrote: »

Surely it wont take over a year to finalise the visas will it?

No, but if you want to go in January, you'd need to have the visa by the end of 2008, and I do not think that visas will be issued this year- the original press release said "The visa deal to be agreed today with the state department will come into force in the New Year"- that sounds to me like the visas can be applied for early in 2009; add to that processing and security checks, and I would imagine that the first visas will actually be issues in spring 2009 at the earliest. If they do something similar like with the Diversity Lottery it could even take a year or more from application till you actually get the visa.

Darren1o1

silja wrote: »

No, but if you want to go in January, you'd need to have the visa by the end of 2008, and I do not think that visas will be issued this year- the original press release said "The visa deal to be agreed today with the state department will come into force in the New Year"- that sounds to me like the visas can be applied for early in 2009; add to that processing and security checks, and I would imagine that the first visas will actually be issues in spring 2009 at the earliest. If they do something similar like with the Diversity Lottery it could even take a year or more from application till you actually get the visa.

The J1 visa (internship) do not take long to arrange, maybe a few weeks, I do not see this being much different.

Bass Cadet

People have to remember that this works both ways. There are people in the states desperate to work and live here too (stop laughing at the back!). So I assume that the process will work at similar speeds...ie hopefully the same as the J-1 student visa's!

Bass Cadet

jank wrote: »

It will be 30 or nothing

when people say it might be '30'...do you mean 30 and under (inclusive)? Is that what it is in Oz?

Bonnie's Babe

Yes, up to age 30

Kanney

I'd imagine it'll be under 30. I hear there will be new news tomorrow (Wed)

Bass Cadet

Any more info today?

Naked Lepper

http://www.rte.ie/news/2008/0924/visa.html


One-year US visa deal is signed
listen Wednesday, 24 September 2008 16:03

The Minister for Foreign Affairs has concluded a new agreement with the US government that will enable Irish citizens to work and travel in the US.

The agreement was signed at a ceremony in Washington by Micheál Martin and the US Deputy Secretary of State, John Negroponte.

The Working Holiday Agreement will enable a minimum of 20,000 Irish citizens who are in, or have recently completed, post-secondary education to work and travel in the US for up to 12 months.


Mr Martin said: 'This represents one of the most significant developments in our visa arrangements with the US in almost two decades.'

Under the terms of the deal, up to 5,000 US citizens will also be able to work and travel in Ireland on the same basis.

In addition to those new arrangements, the existing summer J1 programme will continue to exist as a separate scheme.

Minister Martin emphasised that this initiative is separate to the Government's ongoing campaign to find a solution to the problem of the undocumented.

He said: 'Finding a solution for our undocumented remains a key priority for this Government.'

Kanney

So its only for college graduates?

silja

Kanney wrote: »

So its only for college graduates?

That is what it sounds like- quite different from the original press release!

Kanney

silja wrote: »

That is what it sounds like- quite different from the original press release!

One-year US visa deal for Ireland
Friday, 19 September 2008 20:05

Up to 20,000 of Irish people may have the opportunity to work in the US for up to a year under a new visa deal.

It is hoped that the J-visa programme will be agreed next week.

Under the programme school leavers, young trades persons, and people intending to return to education may apply for a visa to work in the US for one year.
Advertisement

A spokeperson for the Department of Foreign Affairs says that the Minister hopes to conclude the deal while in Washington DC on Wednesday.

Thomas C Foley, US Ambassador to Ireland, said that a job opportunity does not have to be arranged before the visa is granted.

He said this is of great convenience to people who want to take advantage of it.

Thats the original release.


EDIT:
http://www.enews20.com/news_Ireland_US_sign_new_working_holiday_visa_dealEds_Ministers_first_n_11917.html

They are saying its for school leavers. I'm really hoping its for secondary school leavers is the requirements, Im hoping to go to college in Sept and want to go the US before that. If not, they have failed and will have one more undocumented in their country? :D

Bass Cadet

Naked Lepper wrote: »

The Working Holiday Agreement will enable a minimum of 20,000 Irish citizens who are in, or have recently completed, post-secondary education to work and travel in the US for up to 12 months.
'

AS clear as MUD! I finished college 6 years ago...will this count as 'recent'?? no word on age either?

Kanney

I've checked a good few sites and it says that it is all about finishing secondary school. Someone on another forum, seems fairly knowledgable, said that you are eligible if you are intent on starting college when you return.

Sqaull20

So you have to be in College or finished it?

ffs other countries got much better deals.

Kanney

Sqaull20 wrote: »

So you have to be in College or finished it?

ffs other countries got much better deals.

I've seen press releases that don't say u have to be in college. I'm hoping on that.

Colmfatcamp

This is just f**king typical, the official press releases causing more confusion than before the information came out. Presumably we'll have to wait until something more concrete surfaces on a government website rather than hazy & innacurate media reports. It just sounds like an extension and expansion on the existing J1 visa (even though they are said to remain seperate) but it doesnt make much sense as the vast majority of people who are in college have yet to become official qualified or accreddited, thus meaning students are due to stay working in resteraunts and the likes for 12 months instead of 3 on the J1.

Maybe that's what they want though, higher-skilled jobs for the Americans, Irish folk to come in and work in construction or serve them beer and food every night.

Colmfatcamp

http://dublin.usembassy.gov/

Top right corner says information on the "expanded J1" programme is coming soon.

Not looking good guys, sounds like it's going to be primarily based around the expectation that people will definetely be coming home to college or the likes. Damn media getting all our hopes up!

Naked Lepper

OFFICIAL RELEASE


http://dublin.usembassy.gov/general/twelve-month-intern-work-and-travel-pilot-program.html

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman

________________________________________________________________________
For Immediate Release September 24, 2008
MEDIA NOTE

Twelve-Month Intern Work and Travel Pilot Program

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State John D. Negroponte and Ireland Foreign Minister Micheál Martin signed a Memorandum of Understanding on an Intern Work and Travel Pilot Program on September 24 in Washington, D.C.

The United States and Ireland soon will begin to implement a Twelve-Month Intern Work and Travel Pilot Program for post-secondary students or young people within twelve months of graduation. The new program is an innovative exchange program that will allow thousands of young people from Ireland to enter the United States for a period of twelve months on a J-1 exchange visitor visa. There also will be reciprocal opportunities for young people from the United States to travel to Ireland. This will allow students from both countries to participate in a variety of internships, and to travel independently within the United States and Ireland.

The program will be coordinated in the United States by the private sector under the auspices of the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Education and Cultural Affairs, and falls under the Intern Category of the Exchange Visitor Program. In Ireland the bilateral scheme will be run in accordance with existing work permit and immigration legislation. This program is set to be launched in late 2008 or early 2009. Further details and prerequisites on the program will be available from the U.S. Embassy in Dublin and Ireland’s Embassy in Washington, DC.

The people of the United States and Ireland have deep and abiding traditional and historical links. Today’s signing is designed to cultivate further mutual understanding between the people of the United States and Ireland, and to strengthen the connections between young people from our two countries. By enacting this agreement, the United States government hopes to broaden the international internship and travel experience for those who may not otherwise have an opportunity to do so.

Authority for the Exchange Visitor Program derives from the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, also known as the Fulbright-Hays Act. The Act’s intent is to increase mutual understanding between the peoples of the United States and other countries through educational and cultural exchanges.

Bass Cadet

for post-secondary students or young people within twelve months of graduation.

I take it from that then that if yer 30 years old and graduated from college 6 yrs ago, ye might aswell forget about it...b0llocks to that anyway!

damnyanks

this could be a ploy from the us government to raise funds. They probably see irish students buggeringg off to ozz / asia and spending a couple of grand without a second thought.

Kanney

post-secondary student, so all u need is a leaving cert?

Naked Lepper

well im 23

did my leavin six years ago in 2002 and dropped out of college in the first year

been working since and previously lived in the usa on a h2b visa, i am going to wait for the small print until i speculate whether or not i will be eligible but this looks promising.

Kanney

So where are people thinking of going? I'm hoping Boston if everything works.

Bass Cadet

Kanney wrote: »

So where are people thinking of going? I'm hoping Boston if everything works.

San Fran. I just wish that California would declare independence from the rest of the States! :pac:

CiaranC

Naked Lepper wrote: »

well im 23

did my leavin six years ago in 2002 and dropped out of college in the first year

been working since and previously lived in the usa on a h2b visa, i am going to wait for the small print until i speculate whether or not i will be eligible but this looks promising.

How is it promising? Its for people within 12 months of leaving school or graduating as far as I can see...