New Zealand and Australia Twelve-Month Student Work and Travel Pilot Programs

On September 10, 2007 the United States and New Zealand signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) initiating a 12-month student work and travel pilot program. This MOU, allows American and New Zealand citizens who are bona fide post-secondary students or recent graduates from postsecondary accredited schools to work and travel in the United States or in New Zealand for up to twelve months.

A similar 12-month student work and travel pilot program Agreement with Australia was signed on September 4, 2007. That agreement went into effect on October 31, 2007.

Eligibility criteria for participants are noted below.

• Be a citizen of New Zealand.
• Be a bona fide post-secondary student or recent graduate. To be considered a bona fide post-secondary student, the potential participant must have completed his/her freshman year. A recent graduate is defined as a New Zealand citizen who has graduated from a post-secondary college/university in their home country within the last 12 months. The applicant must provide evidence of student status.
• Vocational students pursuing studies at a tertiary level accredited educational institution are eligible for participation.
• Provide proof of sufficient financial resources, prior to coming to the United States, to support themselves during a search for employment or between breaks in employment.

For New Zealand citizens coming to the United States, these pilot programs will operate under the current Exchange Visitor Program Summer Work Travel regulations and in accordance with the guidelines provided to each designated sponsor. More information on sponsor organisations can be found on the State Department's Exchange Visitor Program website (pilot program release - pdf).

The pilot program concludes two years after becoming effective.

Frequently Asked Questions:  12 Month Student Work/Travel Pilot Program

1. What is the 12 Month Student Work/Travel Pilot Program?
2. What is meant by a recent graduate?
3. How will the Pilot Program differ from the existing SWT program?
4. Am I eligible to take part in the Pilot Program?
5. When does the program start?
6. Do I need to be a current student?
7. Can I take part in this program if I am accompanied by dependants in the United States?
8. Is the Pilot Program available only at certain times of the year?
9. Is there a quota limiting the numbers of participants?
10. Can I take part in the program more than once?
11. What is the role of sponsor organizations in the new Pilot Program? Is there a limit to the number of employers I can have while in the United States?

1.  What is the 12 Month Student Work/Travel Pilot Program?

This Pilot program allows New Zealand citizens who are bonafide current tertiary students or recent tertiary graduates to work in the United States for a maximum period of 12 months. The Pilot program will be administered under the current Exchange Visitor Program regulations governing the Summer Work Travel (SWT) category of exchange.

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2.  What is meant by a recent graduate?

For this Pilot Program, a recent graduate is defined as a New Zealand citizen who has graduated from an accredited tertiary institution within the last 12 months.

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3.  How will the Pilot Program differ from the existing SWT program?

Qualified participants in the Pilot Program can stay for a maximum period of 12 months, can enter the United States to begin the program at any time, and are not required to return home in time for the school year to begin. Recent graduates (a student who has graduated within the last 12 months) is eligible to participate and is not required to make application for the Pilot Program prior to graduation.  Also, tertiary students in vocational studies are eligibile to participate in the Pilot Program, but not in the 4 month SWT program.

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4.  Am I eligible to take part in the Pilot Program?

You are eligible to take part in the Pilot Program if you are:

1. a New Zealand or Australian citizen;
2. a current tertiary student or recent tertiary graduate (and able to provide evidence to this effect); and
3. not accompanied by dependants.

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5.  When does the program start?

The Pilot became effective on September 10, 2007. It will be reviewed after two years.

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6.  Do I need to be a current student?

No. Eligible participants can be current tertiary students or recent tertiary graduates.  You must be able to provide evidence to this effect.

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7.  Can I take part in this program if I am accompanied by dependants in the United States?

No.  You will not be able to bring spouses or children with you to the U.S. on this program.

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8.  Is the Pilot Program available only at certain times of the year?

No, it is available year-round.

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9.  Is there a quota limiting the numbers of participants?

No.

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10.  Can I take part in the program more than once?

No.

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11.  What is the role of sponsor organizations in the new Pilot Program? Is there a limit to the number of employers I can have while in the United States?

The Pilot Program will operate in the same way as the current J-1 Summer Work Travel program. The role of sponsor organizations will not change. Potential participants will need to obtain a Form DS-2019 “Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status” from their sponsor before being issued a visa in Auckland. It is the sponsoring organization’s decision regarding the number of employers allowed during your time in the United States.

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