J1 Visa - Which company?

LiamD

I know this question crops up every year so I hope the mods don't mind me starting a new thread for current info.

I want to go on a J1 to San Francisco next summer and I hope to get cheap flights and J1 fees by booking early. Currently flights are only 550-600. Does anyone have any advice as to which company to go for? Sayit seem like the best so far as I can book my own flights, which I would prefer to do. Is it better to book them with my J1 provider if I need to make changes?

Steak

I went on a J1 this year and would definitely advise you to stay away from USIT!

They rip you off big time with regards to flights. My mate went with Go4Less and his flights were far cheaper so I'd definitely pick them over USIT.

Not sure about SAYIT, haven't heard anything about them really.

lilmizzme

Defo stay away from USIT...total rip off, and they always add on extras! I went with them on J1 last year and never would again. They caused so much hassle re payments, and adding on taxes and charges after the agreed total! I don't know much about the other two, just stay away from USIT!!

clare8390

i agree stay well away from usit... got flights 2 miami this summer through usit via london nearly 800 euro then decided to stay an extra month and they charged us nearly 400 euro to change our flights....unbelievable... rip off...

Valmont

Regarding customer service, I would highly recommend go4less. I have had two j-1 visas through them and they were always very helpful and friendly. Two very important things when you have the endless pile of confusing forms to fill out. The flights were quite expensive but you are going to get that wherever you go. Good luck.

DeadMoney

I think anyone who is wise to the J1 knows to run a mile from USIT at all costs. I went with sayit the first year and found them to be very reasonable and helpful. Go4less are also supposed to be good also. I am actually starting to research the J1 for next summer now as I want to get it as cheap as possible. According to go4less and sayit's web site, their 2010 programme is opening soon so does anybody know what type of fee they charge when they first open? I also want to take out insurance on exam failure so if anybody has done that before could you give me an idea of how much this costs?
Thanks

Valmont

DeadMoney wrote: »

According to go4less and sayit's web site, their 2010 programme is opening soon so does anybody know what type of fee they charge when they first open? I also want to take out insurance on exam failure so if anybody has done that before could you give me an idea of how much this costs?
Thanks

go4less offer the program for free provided you sign up before February.I'm pretty sure this is because they make most of their money on the flights.
There is an initial 50 euro deposit and that's it until you have to pay off your flight and insurance by March. You should double check this however.

Tableman

Been a few years since my J1. But would highly recommend Go4Less. They were one of hte best companies I ever dealt with. Customer service was outstanding

king of kings 1

i know all d rquirements and meet dem but does it require much work experience and does any 1 know if u buk thorugh go 4 less that u can go to canada?

lisa_celtic

I went with usit.. avoid there bank deal.. sim card deal.. id card deal.. all the extras!!!


[quote=LiamD;62383658.

I want to go on a J1 to San Francisco next summer and I hope to get cheap flights and J1 fees by booking early. [/quote]


Off Topic but I was in San Fran this summer work was impossible to come by.. have plently of money.. bout 10 of us jobless.. and everyone going home early.. not cool..

murm57

no idea what yiz are talkn about with USIT! next summer will b my 3rd yr with them . ive already bkd my j1 with them,everything is sorted 4u and theyr so lovely! sayit dont help with anything - u hav 2do everything urself! a cuple of frnds went with go4less last yr, but cudnt book their flights until the end of jan :eek:! i had mine booked since dec with USIT! USIT's deal this yr is brilliant anyway, i dont hav 2pay anything until i come home! ive everything sorted now so all i hav 2do is worry about my exams !!

Robbie444

murm57 wrote: »

no idea what yiz are talkn about with USIT! next summer will b my 3rd yr with them . ive already bkd my j1 with them,everything is sorted 4u and theyr so lovely! sayit dont help with anything - u hav 2do everything urself! a cuple of frnds went with go4less last yr, but cudnt book their flights until the end of jan :eek:! i had mine booked since dec with USIT! USIT's deal this yr is brilliant anyway, i dont hav 2pay anything until i come home! ive everything sorted now so all i hav 2do is worry about my exams !!

lol, thank you while I'd love to enter a loan contract with Bank of Ireland on top of having to pay extra money to go with USIT. Did the nice girls handing out usit fliers around college tell you all this? ALWAYS read the small print. On the surface all of these deals sound wonderful. 'free J1'. 'Dont pay anything until you come home', 'free stop overs' etc.
Always research in to alternative deals and independent methods. USIT is there for people who just want to have everything done for them and get up and go. The 'J1' is just the name of the package that Irish students get when going to the states to work for the summer. If you have plenty of money and are not going to work, then booking a J1 is a complete waste of money as you can enter the usa on a 90 holiday visa waiver. Sounds silly but every year there are students that go over for the summer and dont work but still get J1's, pretty dumb.

As for USIT doing everything for you. People read too much in to what actually has to be done. When you enter the states on a J1, the only thing that seperates you from those on a holiday visa is that you have a DS-2019 which entitles you to work. This is what the J1 is and all 3 companies get this for you. You may also have to go and do an embassy interview too if you havn't gone in recent years. Again all 3 companies will sort this for you. Aside from flights and Insurance, that is all there is to it. So by goin the independent option with sayit, all you do on your own is book your own flights if you want. USIT and go4less will have negoited airline prices prior to your booking so say for example you see flights to new york online in Febuary for €400 with Delta, you will not be able to avail of this good price because all of the flight deals will have already been negotiated and believe me you will not pay less than €500 if even that low. My guess with USIT would be around €550 in late May and €650 in early June.

Robbie444

From usit.ie:



'This offer applies to the 2010 J1 Independent Programme Fee valued at €279.
This offer is open to full-time 3rd level students, who are ordinarily eligible for the J1 Programme and who apply either in person or online with completed application forms and any relevant support documentation required within the time frames specified and while places are available. Applications made in person are advisable and ensure speedy processing.
To avail of this offer you must purchase the fully comprehensive USIT Gold Insurance Option including Summer Exam Failure Cover.'


This is €190 on top btw. Ok not too bad if you want the exam failure insurance but if you don't and you have family health insurance with VHI or somebody you could get insurance for like €40 or even free (if you are insured already). So straight off the bat certain people could stand to save €190 here by not going with usit. Just from doing a few quick searches there I found that the average quote on insurance is about €100. I got my insurance for under €50 online the first time I went on a j1 but I think that was a very lucky deal. Still though if you dont want exam failure insurance then you already are guaranteed to save €90 by not going with USIT. This is an extra $135 in your pocket going to the states. Have you any idea just how much beer this can buy you in an off licence in the states? Believe me, this could keep you in action for 2 weeks!

murm57

Robbie444 wrote: »

From usit.ie:



'This offer applies to the 2010 J1 Independent Programme Fee valued at €279.
This offer is open to full-time 3rd level students, who are ordinarily eligible for the J1 Programme and who apply either in person or online with completed application forms and any relevant support documentation required within the time frames specified and while places are available. Applications made in person are advisable and ensure speedy processing.
To avail of this offer you must purchase the fully comprehensive USIT Gold Insurance Option including Summer Exam Failure Cover.'


This is €190 on top btw. Ok not too bad if you want the exam failure insurance but if you don't and you have family health insurance with VHI or somebody you could get insurance for like €40 or even free (if you are insured already). So straight off the bat certain people could stand to save €190 here by not going with usit. Just from doing a few quick searches there I found that the average quote on insurance is about €100. I got my insurance for under €50 online the first time I went on a j1 but I think that was a very lucky deal. Still though if you dont want exam failure insurance then you already are guaranteed to save €90 by not going with USIT. This is an extra $135 in your pocket going to the states. Have you any idea just how much beer this can buy you in an off licence in the states? Believe me, this could keep you in action for 2 weeks!

thanks Robbie444. i read usits insurance already and its the best one out there.did u know that go4less are advertising a 4month policy,which is totally illegal :eek: ?!u have 2hav insurance 4the whole j1,which is a 5month visa!if customs stop u and ask u 4proof of insurance and ur stuck with a 4month policy from go4less,u could be sent home !so an extra $135 and getting sent home is not my idea of a good summer-no thanks!theres a reason y so many ppl go with usit-theyv been doing this 4donkeys yrs,so they know what theyr talking about!r u headn out on a j1 urself Robbie444;where u thinkn of going?

DeadMoney

This is complete BS and I think a mod should step in here because you are posting facts about a usit competitor which are untrue. I have been to the states on 3 J1's and I have never even been asked for insurance at customs. This simply will not happen! Also, the J1 is 3 months but can be extended to 5months and most students go 4 3months due to college starting back. Please stop posting these blatant lies you idiot. And it is clearly obvious you are affiliated with USIT. Did you open this account especially. Lol, don't worry USIT as always will clean up with J1's. You don't have to make up lies about go4less running an illegal insurance policy to ensure this. Please grow up!

murm57

DeadMoney wrote: »

This is complete BS and I think a mod should step in here because you are posting facts about a usit competitor which are untrue. I have been to the states on 3 J1's and I have never even been asked for insurance at customs. This simply will not happen! Also, the J1 is 3 months but can be extended to 5months and most students go 4 3months due to college starting back. Please stop posting these blatant lies you idiot. And it is clearly obvious you are affiliated with USIT. Did you open this account especially. Lol, don't worry USIT as always will clean up with J1's. You don't have to make up lies about go4less running an illegal insurance policy to ensure this. Please grow up!

do ur research,the visa is for 4 months 4irish students.ur lucky that u havnt been asked 4 anything at customs,some ppl hav ok-so u need 2calm down and stop calling ppl idiots :mad: ur telling me 2grow up?get a life.ur just a bully,pls dont reply 2any of my posts again.

Robbie444

murm57 wrote: »

do ur research,the visa is for 4 months 4irish students.ur lucky that u havnt been asked 4 anything at customs,some ppl hav ok-so u need 2calm down and stop calling ppl idiots :mad: ur telling me 2grow up?get a life.ur just a bully,pls dont reply 2any of my posts again.

Lol, I am a bully? You have just claimed that the second biggest independent youth travel company is running an illegal insurance policy that does not meet the requirements of US customs. I think you are the one who needs to grow up lol. Oh and dont worry I wont reply to any of your posts, although this will be very tough as they are sooo pretty and all with all the puple text and smiley faces!

murm57

Robbie444 wrote: »

Lol, I am a bully? You have just claimed that the second biggest independent youth travel company is running an illegal insurance policy that does not meet the requirements of US customs. I think you are the one who needs to grow up lol. Oh and dont worry I wont reply to any of your posts, although this will be very tough as they are sooo pretty and all with all the puple text and smiley faces!

i wasnt calln u the bully robbie444 thanks 4the compliment tho on my posts :);) enjoy new york

nuts86

SO, Sayit are finally open.. looks good same kinda deals as rest of them but couldnt find any details on flights online so will prob ring them tomorrow, does anyone know if they pick ye'r flights or do you sort your own flights out??

lil_lisa

they organise your flights! but they always get the cheapest for the places you wanna go!

oisin_t

ok as far as the difference between usit and go4less, there seems to be none.
iv contacted both about doing a j1 in hawaii and they have both given me the exact same quote give or take €50. Like being in UL usit are far handier to deal with as the office is right there and i can speak to some one personally if i have a problem, but i dont see any difference between the two tbh, just preferance and experience.

lil_lisa

At the end of the day, you're on your own out there. I made that mistake first. I expected to be babysat the whole way. Be greeted at the airport, shown possible accommodation and available job openings, nah. When you're out there, you don't think about how you got out there, all companies are the same. I've found that both sayit and usit have quality customer service if you have issues while over there. I've no experience with go4less though!

USIT: Simone

While we're all for freedom of speech, it has come to our repeated attention that there is a lot of mis-information (some of it libelous) being posted on boards.ie regarding USIT and the respective programmes we offer. If anyone would like to know the FACTS, please contact us on 01-6021600. We're happy to address any query you may have and absolutely stand over all our services and practices.

It's worth noting, there are other companies in the Irish market who are disgruntled at not being in a position to offer Usit's product range and services and are, we believe, posting some of these negative comments about USIT, so we would encourage anyone with a comment /issue about our services to contact us directly. At least that way you know who you're talking to and you will find us extremely reasonable and decent people to deal with !!!

lopppy

Im going with sayit the quote i got from usit was laughable, they said it would cost around a thousand to go to new york when i rang, i paid 810 with sayit.

USIT saying that they think some of the above comments are from their competitors is a joke, just look at the profiles of the people who posted them compared to that lame idea by USIT (just my opinion) to set up a fake one and think "oh we'll type in text language and in purple to throw them off"