J1 costs; planning...

Eurovisionmad · 07-11-2015 11:02pm

Anyone thinking of Chicago? Visited it last year when I was travelling & fell in love! Went to Newport RI last summer (loved it, had an absolute ball!) but want to go to a city this time round, last year I went with 16 other friends whereas this year I think I'll be on my own so it'll be totally different! (Just depends on what happens in my degree really. . .)

magpie1395 · 10-11-2015 2:12pm

Hoping to do a J1 next summer to the east coast and was wondering which company USIT or Sayit is best to book with. I've heard good and reports on both and want to know people's experiences with them regarding price, helpfulness etc.

jamo2oo9 · 21-11-2015 3:04pm

Looking around on prices for J1 visa. USIT is 399 if you get the early bird deal and that doesn't include the SERVIS fee, embassy fee. However, Go4Less is 95 and you just pay the required fees seperately where required.

For Go4Less, the cost is 455 not including flights and optional extras. That includes the SERVIS fee, embassy fee, insurance and the programme fee.

For USIT, it's 399 and says that additional fees include SERVIS and embassy fee. Doesn't include insurance afaik

Am I missing something?

Why is USIT a lot more dearer than Go4Less?

HelenaRose · 05-01-2016 7:49pm

Hi, me and a friend are looking to go to Boston this summer, we will probably use SAYIT, does anyone know if you can book your own flights with them?

MaroonAndGreen · 11-01-2016 6:11pm

When would it be too late to apply for a j1 visa do ye think? Would mid February be too late?

TMJM96 · 13-08-2016 1:24am

Hey,

The title basically says it all. I'm going into my second year of college and I feel like doing a J1. I just have a few basic questions before I start looking into it properly.

-What companies are the best to do it with? I've only really heard of USIT, what are they like? Should I look into other companies?

-I know that you now have to have a job before you go over, which makes sense really, but how and when do I start applying? Realistically I will be going to the Los Angeles area. I have family in that part of the country who would be able to help me secure a job and house me for a few weeks before I can find my own place. Also, on the job front, is it possible to get something related to your degree? I'm studying Applied Physics in college and it'd be cool if I could get into a company over there in a related field, is that possible?

-Realistically I will be going alone, that doesn't really bother me. I'd like to say I'm an independent person. Do you reckon my J1 experience would be worse if I did it alone?

If anyone who has done a J1 previously has any info, please tell me! I'm fairly clueless to them.

Thanks in advance!

neil123 · 19-10-2016 1:27am

Hi,
Thinking of going on a J1 to New York summer 2017, would just like to hear if anyone has any good tips in relation to accommodation hunting, was looking at NYU accommodation but really expensive.
Let me know if any others are planing on going to NY
Thanks

CiaranSAFC16 · 03-11-2016 1:06pm

Hi guys

First post here on boards so I don't know If I'm going about this the right way.

I'm just looking for a bit of information around a 4 month J1 VISA for the summer of 2017.
Myself and 3 other lads are looking to go.
They have had meetings with USIT but I am wondering if they are the best organisation to go with?
I am also a Type 1 Diabetic. I have had it 9 years now and my HBA1C Levels have always been spot on. Would this effect my application for the J1 and is there any medical plans in place for J1 students over there i.e how would I be able to get my insulin, strips, lancets etc.

Thanks

galway2196 · 06-11-2016 12:14am

Hi Guys,

So I am starting this thread to gather as much information as I can before applying for a J1!

Fristly, what companies have people travelled with? USIT are the only one at the moment who have their applications open however I know they are not the cheapest compared to other companies offering J1 visas and have also heard their service isn't fantastic. So if anyone could share their experiences with any of the companies offering J1 visas that would be great!

Where would people suggest going? I'm thinking Chicago or New York but I'm open to anywhere really. My main concern is that I'm only going to be 20, turning 21 in the August so I wan't somewhere that would still be decent for 'nightlife'. I'm sure they are pretty strict over there with the whole age limit on drink and getting into clubs etc but any information on that would be appreciated

How have people in the past gone about sourcing accomodation? I know most people share with a fairly large number of others..there's only 3/4 of us planning on going so I don't even know where to start on the accomodation side of things.

Moneywise how much would people recommend bringing? I know you need a minimum of about $1000 before travelling over there but is that a realistic amount or would people advise bringing more?

I know this thread is really long but I would really appreciate any information anyone could provide about any part of the J1 application/experience.

catherinek12 · 21-11-2016 3:26pm

Hi, :pac::pac:

I just want to look into organizing my j1 next year for summer 2017 and thought this might be the best way to get some advice.

:rolleyes:

Any advice on companies to choose for organizing it.. price-wise and for dealing with.. like sayit? j1online? USIT?:p

Can you just organise the visa yourself? .. sort visa, job and flights?

Main areas I'm looking to go is Huntington Beach, San Diego, San Fran.. any recommendations on the best place?

Accommodation and jobs?

Any advice would be great

:D:D

Hoop Dogg · 28-11-2016 6:41pm

Hey, Myself and a few friends are trying to organise our J1s to go to Los Angeles next year. If anyone could help me out with a few of these that would be great.

- We are all currently 19 (Two of us will be 20 if we go). Does that fact that we are under 21 in any way affect our ability to do anything besides the obvious ones (buy/sell drink, go to/work in nightclubs etc)?

- I am an American citizen so will not have to apply for a J1 so does anyone with a similar experience have any tips for getting employment?

- None of us currently hold a drivers licence. I plan on getting mine by Easter time, as does one other friend of mine. Will this affect our ability to drive in the states? Also how much would i need saved up for a car and is insurance necessary? I know how having a car is essential from living over there when i was younger.

- In general how much money would we need saved up before going?

- Any tips on accommodation in the LA area would be great

Subcomandante Marcos · 30-12-2016 11:32pm

Anyone thinking of doing a J1 on the cheap, Dublin - LAX via Heathrow May 31st to Aug 24th, one stop each way for €336 with BA.

Search those dates on skyscanner or similar to get the price.

Just booked the same flights for my little brother who's going to be heading to San Diego for the summer and staying with a family friend.

catherinek12 · 03-01-2017 8:55pm

Hi currently looking in this aswel, from looking at other forums I noticed sayit seems to be very popular as it doesnt have as much bull**** charges hidden in their end charge. I have been to the states before ad in certain places they can be very sticky with id and in others you could bring a crayon picture and itd be grand. They recommend $1200 from other forums. You gotta think if you have not accom sorted 2/3 weeks in a hostel/ air bnb. On top of that living money if you dont start your job straight away. Also you need to consider starting out costs. Most US apartments and stuff come with nothing so like an air matress and stuff.

galway2196 · 04-01-2017 8:07pm

Thanks for the reply! I've actually booked my J1 for 2017 with Sayit and have to say the process has been very simple to date. They have been so helpful so I would highly recommend booking with them. I've been offered a number of jobs in various locations including New York City, Montauk, Rehoboth Beach and Ocean Beach but really don't even know what I want in terms of a location, so finding it difficult to decide. If anyone has every been or done a J1 in any of those locations I would appreciate any information!

scrabtom · 07-01-2017 1:24pm

Hi, I'm about to drop out of college in the next three weeks, but intend on returning to another course next year. To get a J1 visa I have to get a form signed by my college for the J1 company. I could do this in the next three weeks, and then drop out. Does anyone know whether this makes me ineligible for the visa/would I get away with this?
Thanks in advance for the help.

Shinnaynay · 18-01-2017 12:52am

I'm back 4 months from my J1 and it's time to apply for my tax back. But I've heard that there are cheaper options instead of using taxback.com. Can anyone recommend any alternative services? If you have done it without using a tax back service, how did you do it? Or even if you have used tax back.com this year, how much did they charge you for the service?

Thanks!

Hon the Dubs · 24-01-2017 10:14pm

galway2196 wrote: »

Thanks for the reply! I've actually booked my J1 for 2017 with Sayit and have to say the process has been very simple to date. They have been so helpful so I would highly recommend booking with them. I've been offered a number of jobs in various locations including New York City, Montauk, Rehoboth Beach and Ocean Beach but really don't even know what I want in terms of a location, so finding it difficult to decide. If anyone has every been or done a J1 in any of those locations I would appreciate any information!

Hey just wondering when you say you've been offered jobs is that through Sayit or have you gone looking for yourself? Just looking for jobs in Montauk but not sure where to start looking. Thanks

galway2196 · 24-01-2017 10:46pm

Hon the Dubs wrote: »

Hey just wondering when you say you've been offered jobs is that through Sayit or have you gone looking for yourself? Just looking for jobs in Montauk but not sure where to start looking. Thanks

I've applied through the SAYIT jobs database system which if you haven't paid your deposit you won't have access to. I've also looked by myself but got nowhere with that as most places have told me they do use different databases to find employees. SAYIT do have a few things for Montauk and the wage for them looks decent enough, as I was looking at going there but have decided against it now! Basically any job which I've been offered I've been offered through my Interexchange profile and not through me emailing employers!!

DiarmAFC · 29-01-2017 2:57pm

Hi last semester I dropped out of my course in 2nd year, I was planning on going to canada this summer but now my friends are thinking the states. I'm aware you've to be in third level to be eligible for the j1 visa, so I was wondering would it be possible for me to reregister this semester and then apply for j1 visa like normal?

hooter17 · 09-02-2017 12:23pm

well lads...heading to san fran/berkerly area late may/june for the year on my own...anyone looking to share accomodation or in a similar situation give me a shout! cheers

TheTruthIsMine · 01-06-2018 6:08pm

I remember when I went on a J1 last, I was effectively forced to pay €25 for a sim card. I forget who the provider was, but it gave me an offal lot of issues. Sometimes I could receive messages, but not send them, and vce versa. I'd the same problem with calls I think. It landed me in some right awkward situations, as I was looking for jobs, and meeting girls.

I also noticed that nearly all my peers seemed to have bought sim cards themselves once they got over. What I ended up doing, was changing provider and keeping the same number.

Anyway, I've always wondered what caused this. Anyone have similar problems?

neil123 · 21-10-2018 5:25pm

Hi guys,
So myself and a couple of friends plan on doing a J1 next summer, the thing is we are so unsure about what company to go with, destination etc.
If anyone has previously done a J1 and have any info it would be greatly appreciated.
*Probably looking to join up with another group of people for house sharing, so if anyone interested, hit me up. :cool:
Thanks,
Neil.

JackPC · 16-12-2018 12:00am

Been looking into doing a J1 next summer 2019 alone. Just wondering what other peoples experiences have been doing a J1 solo - best city to go to, accommodation, stuff to do, finding a job etc. (I'm hoping to get a job in construction) Any advice would be appreciated!

eol7 · 11-02-2019 1:12pm

I’m thinking of going on a grad visa this year and was wondering as to whether anyone has any advice about going with usit/iiic?? I’m studying law and thinking of heading to Chicago?? Any advice would be much appreciated!!

clintondaly · 11-02-2019 2:56pm

I hope the Bargain alert is that you're holding a raffle for someone to go with you and the raffle tickets are free

Doctor Jimbob · 11-02-2019 4:03pm

Cheers OP, bought 5.

lawdedaw · 21-02-2019 12:37pm

Hey eol,

I also studied law and I am also considering Chicago!

I was just wondering if anyone knows if it is possible to maybe set your start date once you have a job a month in advance to give time for a little more travel? Maybe someone with a little experience could shed some light on this. I can't travel out to avail of the month before hand and I'm just trying to see if there's a way I could make it work. Unsure as to how strict USIT are.

neil123 · 22-05-2019 12:35pm

eol7 wrote: »

I’m thinking of going on a grad visa this year and was wondering as to whether anyone has any advice about going with usit/iiic?? I’m studying law and thinking of heading to Chicago?? Any advice would be much appreciated!!

Hey, thinking of heading over on the grad visa myself, when are you thinking of heading over ??
Cheers

kanadams123 · 13-07-2019 3:39pm

Can you start your J1 Visa on any date?
I am planning to go next year summer 2020 but I am looking to go/start in July as I have other plans in June!?

Cheers

thelad95 · 13-07-2019 5:49pm

kanadams123 wrote: »

Can you start your J1 Visa on any date?
I am planning to go next year summer 2020 but I am looking to go/start in July as I have other plans in June!?

Cheers

Yeah there’s a window between May 15th-September 15th. J1 employers often do recruit throughout the summer as there’s always other J1ers who quit jobs early/go home/change jobs so they won’t mind you starting a bit later.

kanadams123 · 17-07-2019 11:19am

Thank you for that info!

EmptyTree · 17-08-2019 10:10am

I'm sure someone in here will know this:

What is the application process for a J1 visa?

Interview - processing - administrative processing?

I'm trying to work out how long the whole thing takes but I'm a bit confused by the embassy website. Is administrative processing part of the process or does it only kick in if you application has been refused?

(note:mod feel free to move to subforum if this is the incorrect place for this)

J1 costs; planning...

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