Press Releases 2004

Applications Processed Faster

The Summer Work & Travel Visa Program has ended for 2004 and statistics show an increase of more than 10% in the number of young Poles who received visas for summer jobs in the United States. The U.S. Embassy in Warsaw and Consulate in Krakow issued about 22,500 Work & Travel Visas between February and June. Last year about 20,000 visas were issued through this program. Polish students are among the program’s biggest beneficiaries worldwide and the biggest in Europe.

The Work & Travel Program gives foreign students a chance to get involved in the daily life of the people of the United States through travel and temporary work opportunities. Under the program, various organizations sponsor foreign nationals and help them enter the U.S. Students work in the U.S. for a maximum of four months during their summer vacations. At the end of their program, participants are expected to return home.

Despite the increase in the number of Work & Travel visas issued this year, better pacing allowed the consular sections to process applications more quickly – often in as little as three days. Moreover, the denial rate was extremely low, with most denials attributed to an inadequate knowledge of English.

There are some 30 representatives in Poland who recruit for the Work & Travel Program in the U.S. The top type of work for students participating in the program is at amusement parks and beach resorts. Hotels, shops, national parks, casinos, and ice cream kiosks are also popular. Money earned from these jobs is subject to U.S. federal tax, but most of that money is refunded when participants file their U.S. tax return.


Contact: Jim Bond or Dick Custin, U.S. Embassy Public Affairs, (022) 504-2323