Overview
The United States’ Summer Work and Travel program permits post-secondary school students to work and travel throughout the U.S. Every year, the program draws many thousands of students from around the world, and Thailand is no exception.
Many works at jobs in hotels, beach resorts and amusement parks across the U.S. Others are employed at restaurants or national parks. And of course, students have the opportunity to see some of the cities and scenery of the 50 United States.
The Summer Work and Travel Program is a great opportunity to explore the U.S., get to know its culture and its people, improve English language skills, earn money, develop a network of international contacts, and gain marketable job skills.
Requirements
To participate in this program, students must meet the following requirements:
- Participants must be post-secondary school students who are actively pursuing a degree or a full-time course of study at an accredited classroom-based educational institution in their country of residence. Students may not participate in this program during time periods other than their summer vacations.
- Students must also possess sufficient proficiency in the English language to participate in their programs.
How to Apply for the Summer Work and Travel Program
There are a number of local agencies that work with American sponsors and recruit Summer Work and Travel Program participants.
These agencies and American sponsors hold job fairs throughout Thailand during the winter and spring. Qualified participants can interview with prospective employers at these job fairs.
Local agencies can also help participants locate employment on their own.
The final step involves an interview with a consular officer at the U.S. Embassy in Bangkok or the U.S. Consulate in Chiang Mai, which the local agency will help to arrange.
The purpose of the interview is to ensure that participants meet the requirements of the program and are eligible to receive visas.
In the United States
Once entering the United States, students can stay for up to four months, during which time they may spend up to one month traveling. When the program ends, students are expected to return home and continue their studies.
Income earned by Summer Work and Travel Program participants in the U.S. will be taxed, but applicants can apply for a refund upon return to Thailand.
Contact Us
To contact a customer service representative, please visit the GSS Contact Us page for full information or use contact information below:
- Address: 95 Wireless Road,
Bangkok 10330, Thailand - E-mail Inquiries:
Email inquiries for both nonimmigrant and immigrant visas should be directed to: support-thailand@ustraveldocs.com - Call Center representatives are available:
Monday – Friday: 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. (excluding Thai and U.S. holidays)
Local telephone: 02-105 4110; from the U.S. (703)-665-7349
Security Regulations when Visiting the Embassy or Consulate
Forbidden Items and Entry Regulations:
Embassy security procedures require that all visitors receive a security inspection. You will be allowed to check two cell phones at the Embassy gate but the US Embassy and the Embassy guards are not liable for any loss or damage to your cell phone while it is checked. You will NOT be allowed to enter the U.S. Embassy for your appointment carrying any of the following items:
- Any other battery-operated or electronic devices such as computer tablets, digital diaries, pagers, cameras, audio/video cassettes, compact discs, MP3s, floppy disks, laptops, or portable music players.
- Any oversize shoulder bags or purses.
- Any oversize handbags and travel bags, large back-packs, briefcases, or suitcases. Applicants can only carry in clear bags containing papers needed for their appointment
- Any food item (there is a coffee stand with snacks available for purchase).
- Sealed envelopes or packages.
- Cigarettes / cigars / match boxes / lighters.
- Any sharp objects such as scissors, pen knives or nail files.
- Weapons or explosive materials of any kind.
The list provided above is not exhaustive. Other items may be prohibited at the discretion of security staff. Other than the two allowed cell phones, the US Embassy will not accept the storage of any of the above prohibited items. You will have to make alternate arrangements to store these items before you enter the Embassy.
Only visa applicants with confirmed appointments will be granted access on to the Embassy compound. Accompanying persons are required to wait outside the Embassy entrance.
If you fail to follow these security requirements you may face delays or cancellations to your visit.
