The next stage in getting your dream job in America is obtaining your visa. Without your visa you will not be able to get into America. SIMPLE. This part can seem daunting and complicated as there are several forms to fill out and you will find you have paperwork flying around everywhere!

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Please only take below as a rough guide to offer you an idea of what to expect. Your organisation will be the best people to speak to in terms of telling you what you need and in answering any queries you may have.


What will you need:

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• A Valid Passport (Valid for at least 6 months after your return date)
• Two US Passport sized photos (These are different to that of a UK size). Most passport photo booths will have a US visa option. 
• A letter from your employer or University (Support Staff only)
• Proof of Student Status and break dates (Support Staff only)
• Proof of intent to return to the UK. This could be a contract from an employer or a landlord, or proof that you are returning to study. If you do not have any of these, talk to your organisation. A letter from your parents to prove you have a home in the UK could be used. 
• Form DS-2019 and SEVIS receipt. These are usually provided by your organisation on the day of you VISA interview, but they will inform you of this. 

You will also be required to complete a DS-160 online form. This can take about an hour to complete so make sure you save through out and print at the end. Your organisation should provide you with straight forward instructions of how to complete this.


As a counsellor, your visa is valid for your camp contract dates and no longer than 4 months, but after you have finished working at your summer camp, you will have 30 days to do some travelling. As a member of Support Staff, your visa can be valid for as long as your break dates from your university but no longer than 4 months. Consulates occasionally make mistakes (who doesn't); please make sure that you receive a J-1 visa in your passport. Your visa will be a J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa, valid for a specific period of time. It will be stamped in your passport with either 'Single entry' or 'Multiple entry' into the United States.

You cannot change your visa status while in the United States. Your J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa is only for the purpose of working as a staff member in a U.S. camp under the companies program. Support Staff, however, may work at other jobs for the duration of their visas after their camp contracts are successfully completed.

When you receive your passport, visa, and DS2019 form from the consulate. Make sure you keep all of these documents together so that you do not lose them, we know what humans can be like. 



Tip: Make multiple photocopies of all important documents. Keep them separate from their originals. Leave a set of duplicates at home, and pack another in your luggage.



If you have any more questions speak to your organisation, or give us a tweet, comment on Facebook or email us at: campstaffguide@gmail.com