Exchange Visitor(J)
Summer Work/Travel (SWT) Programs
Participation in a SWT program is limited to students actively pursuing a degree or a full-time course of study at a post-secondary accredited educational institution. (These students must already be enrolled for a full course load in a university for the term subsequent to their participation in a program.) SWT applicants should be able to demonstrate that they are bona fide students, maintaining their student status, and pursuing completion of their degree. Vocational students are not included in this classification.
Participation in a SWT program is appropriate during a full-time student's Summer vacation. It is inappropriate for a student to miss a semester or take a leave of absence before or after a SWT to be able to participate. Please ensure that the program dates on your DS-2019 are correct and reflect the dates of your vacation.
In some cases, taking an official leave of absence to participate in a SWT program may be acceptable. These cases are:
1. Students seeking to pursue an international education experience.
2. Students seeking to earn academic credit for participating in a SWT program.
3. Male students who take a leave of absence for military service.
In these cases only, a SWT participant must demonstrate that he/she is a full-time student in good standing. A letter written by a school official, such as a dean or international student advisor, would suffice. In the case of male students taking a leave of absence to perform military service, the student should also provide military orders or a discharge card.
Updated: October 21, 2009