Summer Camp Jobs | Entering the US with a J-1 Visa

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Earn college credit for your summer camp job! Many universities offer internship credit in various fields like parks and recreation, education, child development, tourism, etc. Contact your school for more information.

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INTERNATIONAL TRAVEL TIPS

You will be entering the United States of America as a "J-1 Exchange Visitor." You may be participating in the Camp Counselor or the Summer Work and Travel program which permits you to work legally in the U.S. under the terms of the program. However, in order to activate your visa you must be processed into the country correctly. Please take note of documents you will need to obtain and present at the port of entry.

Documents You Need
Be sure to show the following documents to the Immigration Officer as you go through immigration at the airport or other port of entry:

DS 2019 form (issued by your legal sponsor)
Passport with J-1 Visa (Canadian participants need only present a passport)
Arrival/Departure Card, I-94 (This is the white card you received either on the airplane or at the port of entry.) Do not lose this card!
Form I-797, SEVIS Receipt form Employment contract
New entry procedures have been established as part of airport safety regulations. You will be fingerprinted and digitally photographed when you arrive in the US.

Arrival/Departure Card
You will be given an I-94 card (a small white card also known as the Arrival/Departure record) on the airplane or at the port of entry. The Immigration Official will stamp this card and staple it to your passport. You must keep this I-94 card in your passport at all times. You will need it to apply for your social security number and you will need to turn it in when you exit the country. Make a copy of this card as soon as you are able and keep the copy with your other set of copied documents.

Immigration Procedure
Please note that your visa alone does not guarantee your entry to the United States. Your entry into the United States and the length of your stay is determined by the Immigration Officer at the port of entry. It is important that you cooperate fully with the official in a polite, respectful manner. You will need to show the officer all of the documents listed above. He/She may ask you for some general details about your visit. Answer any and all questions clearly. Here is what you can expect:

When you arrive you will present your DS 2019 form and your J-1 visa, which is in your passport, to an Immigration Officer.
The Immigration Officer will take a copy of your DS 2019 form and return the original to you. Make sure you keep the DS 2019 form safely with your passport at all times. If your DS 2019 form is lost or stolen, contact your program sponsor immediately.
The Immigration Officer will stamp your I-94 card. One part of the card will be stapled into your passport and immigration will retain the other to record your entry. Make a copy and keep it with your extra set of copied documents.
It is unlikely that the immigration officer will ask to see your employment contract, but it is always good idea to be prepared.

Customs
Gather your luggage and proceed to the Customs desk. You will need to show your passport, answer a few questions, and hand in your declaration form as you leave.