U.S. Reforms Summer Work Travel Visa Rules against Abuses

[nancymervin]

U.S. Reforms Summer Work Travel Visa Rules against Abuses

The State Department on May 4, 2012 made an announcement on major changes to its J-1 Summer Work and Travel Program - one of its premier cultural exchange programs, to tackle recent widespread abuses.The J-1 Summer Work Travel Program which annually brings over 100,000 overseas students to the U.S. was created under the Fulbright – Hay Act of 1961 and allows overseas post-secondary students to spend up to 4 months living and working in the U.S.The new rules are set to ensure that overseas students can get fair treatment and jobs promising exposure to American culture and interaction with its people.

"The new reforms for the Summer Work Travel program focus on strengthening protections for the health, safety and welfare of the participants, and on bringing the program back to its primary purpose, which is to provide a cultural experience for international students," stated Robin Lerner, a deputy assistant secretary for the State Department.

Apply for US citizenship