Press Releases

2007 U.S. Summer Work and Travel Participants: Apply Early for Visas

Visa Interview Details for the 2007 U.S. Summer Work and Travel Program

Ankara, December 13, 2006

Turkish university students interested in spending summer 2007 working and traveling in the United States are encouraged to start making plans with a Summer Work and Travel (SWT) agency immediately. 

In 2006, nearly 5,000 Turkish university students participated in this unique cultural exchange program which gives students from around the world the opportunity to work for three or four months in the U.S. alongside American and other international youth.  During and following their work experience, students spend time traveling on their own around America. 

All students participating in the program must apply for a special J-1 exchange visitor visa.  Because the number of participants from Turkey is expected to increase significantly this year, the U.S. Embassy and Consulate General are encouraging students to start making their plans early.

The special interviews for Summer Work and Travel visas will be conducted from February 1 to May 31, 2007.  Due to the anticipated high volume of applicants, students who wait until April or May to apply may find there will not be enough visa interview appointments available before they need to depart for the U.S.  All participants must apply for visas through the special group appointment system made available to SWT agencies. 

The strong growth in the program is clearly due to the positive reports of students who participated in 2006.  Many cite the experience as important to their career development, but even more important for furthering global understanding among youth.

With nearly 5,000 participants, Turkey was the 8th largest country in the program in 2006.  In total, over 105,000 students from 136 different countries traveled to the United States for SWT 2006.  Turkish agencies report rapidly growing levels of interest in the popular program for 2007.

Students wishing to learn more about the Summer Work and Travel program are encouraged to meet with representatives from over forty private Turkish companies that recruit and prepare students for the program.  In addition, detailed information about U.S. visa application procedures is available through the websites www.ankara.usembassy.gov and www.istanbul.usconsulate.gov