The 1 year J visa.

DeadMoney

Hey, anyone doing the 1 year J visa next year? I contacted go4less last week and was pretty disappointed to find out how expensive it actually is. Was quoted the following:

Visa/Program fee €679
Insurance €289
SEVIS fee €140

Then the rep even said something about $140 embassy fee and thats all before booking your flights through go4less which is guaranteed to be about €100 more than you will pay if you were allowed to book independently. Assuming go4less don't hit you up with 'leaving town tax' it looks to be about €1700 incl flights. I have friends who are currently on this visa so must contact them to compare but I'm assuming it's the same if not more expensive with USIT and I'm not sure if sayit offer this visa or not. Anyone know?

Thanks

pow wow

If you go through one of the Irish providers the costs are much of a muchness (and the SEVIS and Visa fees don't vary - they're set by the US government).

Another option for the 12 month graduate visa might be the Irish Immigration Centre in Boston whose program fee is about 500 euro. You have the option of flying with whoever you like and arranging the insurance yourself.

If you think the 12 month one is bad check out the prices for the 18 month programme :eek: The prices USIT were quoting put me right off doing it.

lil_lisa

Yeah, the IWT and the internship visa are roughly this price with all companies and the training visa can go up to €1300 depending on how long you stay. The cheapest company I've come across have been the II Center.

DeadMoney

Thanks for the info on the IIC. From their site it says...

"Applicants pay the Irish Immigration Center a fee of $650 (including an initial $100 non-refundable deposit). The U.S. government’s SEVIS fee ($180) and J-1 Visa application fee is payable there at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate at time of application"

so yeah this is definitely a bit cheaper, and great that you can book your own flights/insurance. Does you know if you apply for this visa through the IIC, is it the same process as with the other companies in that you don't need any job lined up before you go over?

lil_lisa

Yes, its the very same. However, you usually must show proof that you can support yourself whilst there.

mooseygoat

where would be the best place to change currency ,should you bring it to the states change it there or change it in the banks here

lil_lisa

Well it depends on how much your bringing. It is not recommended to head to the states carrying a couple of grand in your pocket. Currency exchange changes every day almost too so it's difficult to say where you'll get the best deal. However, US banks charge for currency exchange unless you have a bank account with them.

DeadMoney

lil_lisa wrote: »

Yes, its the very same. However, you usually must show proof that you can support yourself whilst there.

Thats great, thanks! I saw that alrite on their page about having to show proof of funds which I assumed would be the case. Do you happen to know how much they expect you to show, and if you must have a return flight booked? I am intending on flying to New York but could very well settle somewhere else for the year so would prefer just to have a single flight booked at the start.

lil_lisa

No, you don't have to have return flights booked, considering you can enter the US up to 30 days before your visa starts and stay 30 days after your visa finishes (but you can't work these days) they can't expect you to book flights 14 months ahead. Also, most airlines won't let you book over 9 months in advance.

I would suggest having a bank statement with €2k or €3k in it (even if its just for a few days before you show) and have a letter from a parent vouching that if you run into financial difficulty that they will support you while you are in the US. Basically, they just need proof that you're not going to be a strain on the government in anyway.

DeadMoney

lil_lisa wrote: »

No, you don't have to have return flights booked, considering you can enter the US up to 30 days before your visa starts and stay 30 days after your visa finishes (but you can't work these days) they can't expect you to book flights 14 months ahead. Also, most airlines won't let you book over 9 months in advance.

I would suggest having a bank statement with €2k or €3k in it (even if its just for a few days before you show) and have a letter from a parent vouching that if you run into financial difficulty that they will support you while you are in the US. Basically, they just need proof that you're not going to be a strain on the government in anyway.

Great, thanks again for all this helpful info. Unfortunately I have to clear some debts from my last trip to the US first but I am hoping to get back in this Visa before the end of next summer. Better start saving :rolleyes: