Guide · Pay and budget
Paid internship in the USA: a realistic guide to pay and budget
Can a paid internship in the USA cover your costs? A realistic guide to J-1 intern pay, taxes, cost of living and budgeting. Read it before…
Guides and blog
J-1 program guides: what to know before you go
From application timelines and visa interviews to internship pay and program comparisons: clear, up-to-date guides to help you feel ready for every step.
Guides and articles
Latest articles
Guide · Visa interview
J-1 visa interview questions: what they ask and how to prepare
J-1 visa interview questions and tips for Work and Travel, intern, camp and high school applicants: documents, sample questions and…
Guide · Application timeline
Work and Travel 2027 timeline: your month-by-month roadmap
Your Work and Travel 2027 timeline, month by month: enrollment, job interviews, DS-2019, visa appointment and flight. See why starting…
Guide · Program comparison
Work and Travel vs internship: 8 differences that matter
Work and Travel vs internship: compare the two J-1 programs on eligibility, length, type of work, earnings and career impact, and choose…
Guide · J-1 Visa 2027
J-1 visa guide: every step from DS-2019 to your interview
Our J-1 visa guide for 2027: DS-2019, the SEVIS I-901 fee, the DS-160 form, visa appointments in Türkiye and interview documents. Get help…
The right information at the right time
Our J-1 program guides are written for anyone who wants to turn an American dream into a concrete plan. From the Work and Travel application timeline and J-1 visa interview questions to earning a salary on a paid internship in the USA and side-by-side program comparisons, we cover the topics people ask about most, in plain, simple language.
We base our articles on official sources and review them before every season. If a question comes up while you're reading, just ask one of our advisors.
In-depth guides
Keep them close at every stage of your application.
J-1 visa guide
The DS-2019, the SEVIS payment, the DS-160 and booking your appointment, all in one guide.
J-1 application process
Every program, step by step, from the first call to takeoff.
Frequently asked questions
Short, clear answers about programs, visas and costs.
Free consultation
Don't just read about it. Let's plan it.
Let's apply everything in our guides to your own situation. Fill in the form, and one of our advisors will call you within 1 business day.
- We help you pick the right program
- We check your eligibility and plan your timeline
- We share every cost item in writing
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Which program fits you?
Take our four-question eligibility quiz and see the J-1 programs that suit you in 2 minutes.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
Which guide should I read before applying for a J-1 program?
Start with our J-1 application process guide, which walks you through the steps every program shares, in order. Then our J-1 visa guide goes into detail on the DS-2019, SEVIS and the DS-160. If you're preparing for Work and Travel, our 2027 application timeline gives you a month-by-month roadmap, and before your interview, read our article on visa interview questions.
Work and Travel or an internship in the USA: which is better?
If you're a student and want to spend your summer break in America, Work and Travel is the natural pick; if you're looking for a longer, career-focused experience in your field, Intern / Trainee stands out. If you've already graduated, the internship programs are open to you. Our comparison Work and Travel or internship? looks at both programs under eight headings to make your decision easier.
When do Work and Travel 2027 applications open?
Enrollment opens in the fall. For the widest choice of jobs, we recommend applying between September and November 2026. Employer interviews start in late fall, and the DS-2019 and visa steps are completed between late winter and spring. For month-by-month planning, read our Work and Travel 2027 application timeline.
Is the information in your guides up to date?
Yes. We base our guides on official sources and review them before every season. Because official fees and visa procedures can change from time to time, we also double-check the current situation for you during your application. If you'd like the latest information on a specific topic, just ask one of our advisors.
Keep exploring
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