What are AWA’s requirements for Host Employers?

The Company MUST:

• Have a verifiable Business License or Employer Identification Number
• Be enrolled with Workman’s Compensation Insurance Policy
• Complete the Employer Profile/Job Offer Form
• Sign the Employer Agreement

How can AWA help me reduce my recruitment costs?
AWA Placements are provided at NO CHARGE to the Host Employers and are designed reduce the stress and cost of recruiting seasonal staff. The Work/Travel Program recruits prescreened highly motivated participants who are eager to work in your American company. The AWA staff works with our Overseas Partners to ensure that only qualified participants are placed in the jobs so that we can meet the business needs of our Host Employers.

What are the costs of the programs?
There is no cost to Host Companies to work with AWA. However, the Work/Travel participants do pay a fee to participate in the program.

How long does the hiring process take?
Host Employers should submit their completed Job Offer Form at least 3 months in advance of the program start date. Involved in the process is student application, job screening, embassy appointments, travel reservations, etc.

Who are the AWA participants?
AWA participants must be full-time, University students between the ages of 18-27 years old. All students must also be able to communicate in English at intermediate to advanced levels.

Where are AWA participants from?
Depending on the season, AWA Work/Travel participants could come from Europe, Jamaica, South America, Thailand, China, Turkey or South Africa, just to name a few.

When are AWA participants available to start?
The AWA Work/Travel program operates in three seasons: Winter, Spring, and Summer. They are available to work for a maximum of four months based on the dates on their DS-2019 Form.

Are AWA participants legal to work in the US?
The US Department of State has designated AWA as an official sponsor of the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program. The J1 Visa and other legal documents provided by AWA grant the participant legal work status during their embassy approved program dates.

Who provides housing to the participants?
AWA does not pay for or provide housing for program participants. Some Host Employers will arrange housing for participants. If not, then we will work with the Host Employer to create a list of local, affordable housing options.

How many hours must J1 Visa participants work?
AWA requires that J-1 Visa participants be employed Full-Time, meaning they must work at least 32 hours per week. If business is so slow that you can not provide the 32 hour minimum please contact AWA as we might have other employers who could use more students.

Can a J-1 student have a second job?
Yes.  J-1 Work/Travel students can have a second job as long as it does not interfere with their primary employer. 

Can the same employees return next year?
Yes!  If a Host Employer is especially pleased with an employee, they may request him or her to return the following year.  Please notify American Work Adventures and we will arrange for the direct placement of the participant during their next enrollment season.

Do Work/Travel Participants receive Social Security Numbers?
Yes, all Work/Travel Participants apply for and are assigned Social Security Numbers. Students must apply 10 days after arrival and usually receive their cards in 4-6 weeks.

Why must Work/Travel Participants wait 10 days to apply?
Students must wait 10 Full Days before applying for Social Security unless the Host Employer is able to make other arrangements with a local Social Security Office. There is a long process required for the government to be made aware of the J1 Student’s Active Legal Status. Involved in this multi-step process is the Arrival Report Submission to AWA, the Program Validation in SEVIS (Student Exchange Visitor Information System), and the Legal Status Verification in the Social Security Database. If the student applies before all these steps have been completed, it may take 8 weeks or longer for them to receive their card and number. 

What kind of support does AWA provide once the participants arrive in the US?
As a smaller J1 Sponsor, we pride ourselves on providing our students, partners, and host employers with personalized, professional, and prompt service and support. American Work Adventures also has direct 24/7 Emergency Call Lines; our trained and dedicated staff is always here to help you.