Pack your J1 visa guide

Chairman of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Foreign Affairs and Trade, Pat Breen has urged Clare students who intend travelling to the United States on J1 visas this summer to pack a copy of the new guide.

Produced by the Union of Students in Ireland (USI) and supported by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade,the new guide for J1 visas was officially launched by the Minister of State with responsibility for the Diaspora Jimmy Deenihan.

“The J1 Visa Programme provides a wonderful opportunity to Irish Students to work and travel to the United States. Over the years, the programme has made an enormous contribution to the enhancement of Irish/America bilateral relations. Over 8,000 students have applied for the programme this year and Ireland sends more students on this programme than any other country in the world.

Many students from Clare have travelled to the US on J1 ‘s and more are planning to travel this summer. The majority of those who have participated in the programme find the whole experience of travelling and working in the United during their summer holidays very enriching and beneficial. However, it is important that students are prepared as on occasions problems have arisen whether it is in terms of finding accommodation, employment, ID and personal safety, insurance or legal issues and this guide is a source of valuable information for students who find themselves in these situations and who need to access help,” Deputy Breen said.

He added,”I would urge all Clare students who intend travelling on J1 Visas this year to familiarise themselves with this guide before they travel and then to pack a copy of the guide in their luggage when they are flying.”

The guide is available to download from the Departments website at www.dfa.ie or from the USI website on www.usi.ie.