Students warned of J1 Visa changes

Students planning on heading to the US on a J1 Visa this summer are being warned that they will need to find a job in advance.

The Union of Students in Ireland is launching its J1 Guide for 2016 today and have said students will not be able to wait until they arrive in the US to organise employment unlike previous years.

The Union is encouraging students to sign up to the programme early and to plan ahead.

Kevin Donoghue, President of the USI, has some advice for students.

“You used to be able to just land in Stateside and try and get a job afterwards,” said Donoghue.

“That’s changing now, they want a lot of people to have work shorted beforehand and we’re advising people to sort other things beforehand.

“Have accommodation, try and have a bit of savings there as well. You don’t want to be in a very different place, with no money if something happens.

“That’s the tone of the entire guide - to sort out as much as you can before you arrive.”