Work and Travel cost 2027: every fee, explained

The cost of Work and Travel isn't one single number; it's a handful of clear items: the program (sponsor) fee, official payments such as the SEVIS and visa application fees, your flight, and pocket money for your first weeks in the U.S. Knowing these items up front lets you plan your budget comfortably, with no surprises along the way.

For an overview of how the program works, visit our Work and Travel 2027 program page. The table below shows at a glance who each item is paid to, and when.

The program fee covers the services that form the backbone of your Work and Travel experience. What's included varies by sponsor and package, but it usually covers:

• Sponsor application, screening and issuing your DS-2019
• Access to employer interviews and the approval of your job offer
• Your sponsor's support in the U.S. throughout the program, including a 24/7 emergency line
• Mandatory health insurance, depending on the package
• Our consultancy services in Türkiye: document prep, mock interviews and pre-departure orientation

Your sponsor gives you a written, itemized list of every fee you'll pay before you leave for the U.S. We also show the scope and cost of our consultancy service separately and clearly in your quote.

There are two official payments in Work and Travel. The SEVIS I-901 fee is paid online after your DS-2019 arrives and is $35 for Work and Travel participants. The visa application fee (MRV) is paid after you complete the DS-160 form, when you book your appointment, and is $185. Turkish citizens pay no additional reciprocity fee for a J visa. Amounts are as of September 2026 and may change.

See the order of these payments on our Work and Travel application process page, and every visa step in our J-1 visa guide.

Flights

We recommend buying your ticket after your visa is approved. You can enter the U.S. up to 30 days before your program start date, and you plan your return within the 30-day travel period after your job ends. Tickets that allow date changes make life easier over the summer.

Passport

Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond the end of your stay in the U.S. If you don't have one, or it won't be valid long enough, we recommend renewing it when you enroll, so the next steps move ahead without any waiting.

Health insurance

Health insurance is mandatory throughout the program and must meet minimum standards, such as at least $100,000 in medical coverage. It's provided or approved by your sponsor, and your quote shows clearly whether it's included in your package.

It takes a little while to receive your first paycheck after you arrive in America. So you'll want pocket money for groceries, transportation, a phone plan and personal expenses in your first weeks. How much depends on where you live, how your rent is arranged and when payday falls.

Many landlords ask for a deposit when you move in, usually around one month's rent. Together with your job offer, we confirm whether rent is paid weekly or monthly and when the deposit is returned. For details on earnings and living costs, see our Work and Travel earnings and housing page.

Beyond the Work and Travel fees themselves, when you start also shapes your total budget. When you enroll in the fall, you have a better chance of choosing, from a wider range of jobs, one with affordable housing, an easy commute and satisfying weekly hours. That directly affects both your expenses and your earnings over the summer. Planning your flight and passport in good time, without rushing, also takes pressure off your budget.

If sponsors offer early-enrollment benefits at the start of the season, we share them with your quote. For month-by-month planning, see our Work and Travel 2027 application timeline.