Frequently Asked Questions
Statement from Kinlay Group Ltd. regarding the appointment of joint liquidators to USIT Ireland Ltd. and the English Studio language school

Issued 27 March, 2020.

It is with great regret that the Board of Kinlay Group Ltd., which operates USIT Ireland Ltd. and The English Studio language school in Dublin, has announced that, as a result of the Covid-19 situation and having explored all other possible alternatives, it has had no option but to apply to the court to have a provisional liquidator appointed to these businesses. The Directors and Management are supporting the joint liquidators, Kieran Wallace and Andrew O’Leary of KPMG, in order to get the best outcome for creditors in this situation. A third business owned by Kinlay Group, Teach & Travel Group, which is based in Leeds, which provides online TEFL training, continues to trade normally and is unaffected by this decision.

USIT employs 76 people, across its Head Office in Dublin, and regional offices in Cork, Galway and Limerick. Staff have been informed of this difficult decision today.

The outcome for customers who have booked with USIT is uncertain but management will provide as much support as possible to help customers assess their options.

The English Studio, which employs 31 people in Ireland, closed its doors two weeks ago in compliance with Covid-19 measures for the education sector has also reached a position where it was no longer possible to trade as a result of the Covid-19 impacts, leaving the Kinlay Group no option but to apply to the court for the appointment of the liquidators.

Speaking about today’s announcement, David Andrews, Chairman of Kinlay Group, said “Only a short few weeks ago, both USIT and the English School were trading well and we had exciting plans for the future, but the tsunami of effects related to the Covid-19 pandemic have left us with no business whatsoever and no possibility of overcoming these challenges. We have working tirelessly for the last few weeks to find a solution to save these businesses and in that regard I wish to acknowledge the support of our bankers, Ulster Bank Limited. I and my fellow directors greatly regret having to take this step, but unfortunately, it was the only possible option at this time. We are committed to working closely with the liquidator now in order to get the best possible outcome for employees and customers.”

Elaine Russell, CEO of USIT, said “This is a very difficult day for our talented and passionate teams all of whom work so hard to create great experiences for our customers. The team and I are truly devasted at the impact this closure will have on all our customers who were either looking forward to trips they had booked for later this year with USIT or learning English with us at the English Studio.”

More information will be available for customers at www.usit.ie and on our social media channels over the coming days.

Ends

Frequently Asked Questions

13 May 2020

USIT Ireland Limited ('USIT') entered Provisional Liquidation on 27 March 2020 and Kieran Wallace and Andrew O'Leary of KPMG were appointed Joint Provisional Liquidators.

Unfortunately, due to the insolvency of USIT, the Joint Provisional Liquidators are not in a position to pay any refunds to any category of customer or client. Within these FAQs we have set out various options for different customers in relation to proceeding with your travel plans or pursuing refunds.

Please click on the relevant travel product
How can I make a claim?

Consumer protection scheme via Commission for Aviation Regulation (‘CAR’).

You may be covered by the consumer protection scheme if you purchased a package from USIT and this package includes travel. You may also be covered if you bought travel (alone) commencing in Ireland. If a customer has all their travel documentation and decides not to travel, this is considered a cancellation by the customer and no refund is available.

For customers who bought either travel alone or a travel package commencing in Ireland to destinations outside the State, please complete the CAR claim form with proof of payment for your flight/ package to apply for a refund of what you have paid to date.

CAR will then assess these claims to determine if any amount is due to the claimant.

You must submit your claim form within 60 calendar days of the provisional liquidation of USIT which was Friday 27 March 2020 i.e. the deadline to submit claims by post to CAR is before 27 May 2020. It is recommended you retain a copy of your claim for your records.

Please note that USIT Ireland Limited (In Liquidation) will not be able to submit claims on behalf of customers.

To complete the form please check your USIT booking receipt which was emailed to you at the time of booking. If you made multiple payments on your booking, you would have received an updated invoice each time a payment was made. Based on feedback from CAR, if you don’t have a flight booked you may not be covered by the scheme.

Through credit/debit card company

Who does this apply to?

All customers with any service or product booked through USIT who are or may not be covered by the scheme described above.

If you have paid USIT by credit/debit card, you may be covered by the relevant card provider's charge back terms and conditions, and it is recommended that you pursue this option now. If you have paid for your booking with multiple credit/debit cards you may need to submit a claim for each card used.

'Chargeback' relates to disputed transactions, for example, when the supplier did not deliver the goods or services you paid for.

Please check your USIT receipt which you received via email when you made your booking which contains the invoice for your booking. p Your bank may ask for a letter from CAR confirming that you are not entitled to a refund under the CAR's scheme of protection. If this is the case, email  TravelTrade@aviationreg.ie to request such a letter.

School Tours

I am a teacher who has a school trip booked with you. Is that now cancelled? How do I make a claim?

If you have a tour/flight booked with USIT as part of your School tour or Group Tour then your refund claim may to be covered by the consumer protection scheme in place with CAR.

Please complete the CAR claim form with proof of your flight/package booking to make a claim for what you have paid to date.

You must submit your claim form within 60 calendar days of the provisional liquidation of USIT which was Friday 27 March 2020. CAR will then let you know if your claim is covered by the consumer protection scheme. If your claim is covered by the scheme, CAR will then assess these claims to determine the amount due to you.

School Tour Leader: If you collected the funds from all the students on the tour and paid it over to USIT, you can fill out one claim form. If this is the case, please also provide a full list of students with their contact details. This can be attached to the claim form. If you paid over a deposit on behalf of the group and afterwards each student paid the balance to USIT, you need to fill out a claim form for the deposit you paid and each student needs to fill out a claim form separately for what they paid.

Parents: If students paid directly to USIT, a separate claim form is required for each person. All receipts must be attached to it.

For Northern Ireland USIT School and Group Tours customers: You must notify International Passenger Protection (‘IPP’) as soon as practically possible giving full details of what has happened quoting USIT Ireland Limited as your Travel Operator and quoting Reference: TOFI CAR IRELAND V1.19.

You must contact IPP through any of the following means:

Telephone: +31 103120666 Email: Insolvency-claims@ipplondon.co.uk or online at http://www.ipplondon.co.uk/claims.asp

Will the schools be able to claim on their insurance?
That will depend on their insurance policy as these vary. You should check the policy and discuss it with your insurer.

USA Summer Programme - J1 USA, Camp USA or Coach Soccer USA

Are J1 programmes likely to go ahead this summer?

It is extremely unlikely that summer programmes will go ahead this year given the scale of the COVID19 pandemic and resulting health risks. To date, some of our US partners have extended the pause to early June but have not cancelled the programme. However, there are more severe travel restrictions now in place by both the US and Ireland, the US Embassy in Dublin remains closed so no visa paperwork can be processed, it is unclear when commercial flights to the US will start again and many of the jobs which had been arranged have now been cancelled due to the economic impact of Covid 19 in the US. In addition, DFA’s advice is avoid all non-essential travel. See the DFA website for travel advice.

https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/united-states-of-america/

I paid in full for my J1/ Camp programme. Is my ticket valid? 

Unfortunately, while your flight may have been booked, no tickets were issued prior to 27 March 2020, so your flight booking is not valid.  As USIT was a bonded travel agent, you may submit a claim for a refund through CAR. CAR will assess your claim to see if you are eligible for a refund.

My employer has cancelled my job. Can I still travel?

A J1 visa requires you to have a job vetted and approved by your US Sponsor. If your employer has advised that your position is no longer available, you will need to submit a new job offer for vetting to continue with the J1. Due to the impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on international travel, the US Department of State has put a pause on Exchange Visitor programs until 11 May 2020. There are also significant travel restrictions now in place by both the US and Ireland, the US embassy in Dublin remains closed so no visa paperwork can be processed, and it is unclear when commercial flights to the US will start again. In addition, DFA’s advice is to avoid all non-essential travel to the United States of America. See the DFA website for latest travel advice.

https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/united-states-of-america/

Please see the how to make a claim section to process your refund.

I have received my workpapers (DS-2019). Can I travel? 

Due to the impact the Covid-19 pandemic has had on international travel, the US Department of State has put a pause on Exchange Visitor programs until May 11th.

There are also significant travel restrictions in place by both the US and Ireland, the US embassy in Dublin remains closed so no visa paperwork can be processed, and it is unclear when commercial flights to US will start again. In addition, DFA’s advice is to avoid all non-essential travel to the United States of America. See the DFA website for latest travel advice.

https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/united-states-of-america/

In the meantime, we would suggest reaching out to your employer to ensure you still have a position with them first.

Please see the how to make a claim section to process your refund.

When will the embassy open?

The US embassy in Dublin is following the guidelines issued by the Irish government and the HSE. Additionally, the US Department of State has introduced a number of restrictions regarding Exchange Visitor Programmes. Once restrictions are lifted, we expect the embassy to reopen and start taking appointments again.

How do I get a copy of my invoice?

An invoice was emailed to you following each payment to USIT. Please check your emails as you will need this invoice to apply for any refund you may be entitled to. You can retrieve your invoice by using your email address and booking reference using the link at the top of the FAQ

I have claimed through CAR but have not heard anything. Can I have an update? 

Customers have 60 calendar days from 27 March 2020 to apply for a refund.  CAR will assess all claims and contact all applicants in relation to their refund claim after this date.

I want to cancel my summer Programme plans. How do I make a claim?
See how to make a claim section. CAR will assess your claim to see if you are eligible for a refund. The feedback from CAR is that the cost of a Visa and workpapers are not covered under the Transport (Tour Operators and Travel Agent Act, 1982 or the Package Holidays and Travel Trade Act, 1995. Customers may still wish to submit a claim for their full refund and the decision on eligibility of claims will be made by CAR.

USA 1 Year Graduate Visa, Intern, Trainee Programme

I am in the US on my graduate, internship or trainee. Is my visa still valid?
Yes, if you are in the US your visa is valid and your sponsor CIEE will continue to support you. You need to update yourself with the latest DFA advice regarding returning home due to Covid 19 and the evolving situation in the US. See the DFA website for travel advice.

https://www.dfa.ie/travel/travel-advice/a-z-list-of-countries/united-states-of-america/

I booked with USIT but have not received all my documents ( i.e. flight tickets, workpapers). How do I apply for a refund?
See how to make a claim section. CAR will assess your claim to see if you are eligible for any refund. You will only be eligible to make a claim to CAR if you are unable to travel due to the insolvency of USIT. The feedback from CAR is that the cost of a Visa and workpapers is not covered under the Transport (Tour Operators and Travel Agent Act, 1982 or the Package Holidays and Travel Trade Act, 1995. Customers may still wish to submit a claim for their full refund and the decision on eligibility of claims will be made by CAR.

You emailed me last week to advise that there may be a new owner for USIT. Can a new owner help me with my travel plans this year?

A new owner of USIT is likely to already work in the travel industry and will want to continue this business going forward. There is still a great level of uncertainty on when travel will recommence this year and also the availability of suitable jobs to support your work visa given the scale of the COVID19 pandemic and resulting health risks. Currently the Department of Foreign Affairs’advice is to avoid all non-essential travel. With this in mind, if restrictions are lifted and travel can go ahead this year, the new owners will do their best to support this. We will transfer details of bookings that have been made with USIT in the past 18 months, and copies of any emails or SMS messages that you may have exchanged with USIT in the past 18 months. We will also transfer your name, date of birth, gender and contact details. We will not transfer (i) copies of passports or other ID documents, (ii) details of payment methods, like credit cards or bank account details.

Australia/ New Zealand Programmes

I paid a deposit of €100 for my working holiday package. What happens my visa application and funds?

Unfortunately, your application has not been processed. Based on feedback provided by CAR, you are unlikely to be covered by the consumer protection scheme in place with CAR. If you paid by debit or credit card, you may be covered by the relevant card provider’s charge back terms and conditions, and it is recommended that you pursue this option now. See how to make a claim section.

Furthermore, should you wish to travel, you will have to submit a new visa application.

I paid a deposit of €400 in order to get my visa application started. What is the current status of my application?

Your visa application falls into one of 3 categories:

  1. Your application has been approved and a copy of your grant letter has already been emailed to you by USIT. This means you are ok to travel and activate your working holiday when it is safe to do so. Your visa needs to be activated within 12 months from the issue date. If you have further questions regarding your approved visa, you should contact WHM.Helpdesk@border.gov.au quoting the Transaction Reference Number (‘TRN’) shown on your approval letter.

If you have not received a copy of your grant letter, you fall into scenario 2 or 3.

  1. Your application is still in progress with the Immigration Department. USIT have contacted all participants in this category directly with instructions on how to proceed with the application while in progress. If we have not received a response from you, your visa application will be cancelled to allow you to apply again in the future.
  2. Your application has not yet been opened with the Immigration Department. If you have started an application with USIT but have not received an update email, you are able to open a new application for the working holiday visa elsewhere.

In the case where you booked a visa only package, based on feedback provided by CAR we understand that you will not be covered by the consumer protection scheme in place with CAR.

If you booked a flight with your visa package then you may have an eligible claim to the consumer protection scheme in place with CAR.

If you paid by debit or credit card, you may be covered by the relevant card provider’s charge back terms and conditions, and it is recommended that you pursue this option now. Seehow to make a claim section.

I have my visa grant letter but will not be able to travel before the expiry date of the approval. Is there an extension to this timeline due to Covid-19?

Anyone currently on a working holiday visa in Australia or New Zealand has the option of extending their visa due to the Covid-19 pandemic. No extensions have however been approved for the visa grant letters. This may change in due course and we recommend you monitor information released by the relevant Department of Immigration.

If your visa grant letter does expire before you have a chance to travel, you will need to submit a new visa application.

I am already abroad participating on my work abroad programme. Does this affect my visa?

No, your visa remains valid as it is completely independent of the status of USIT.

I have an ETA tourist visa for Australia or ESTA tourist for New Zealand with USIT. Is this still valid for travel?

If you have been issued with a confirmation that the ETA/ESTA visa was granted, it is still valid for travel. Your tourist visa is valid for 12 months from date of issue.

I have an accommodation and/or transfer, tour, arrival support package booked with USIT. Are these still valid as part of my Australia / New Zealand package?

Unfortunately, due to the closure of USIT none of these services can be honored, regardless of whether you were issued with a confirmation voucher or not. If this was booked with a flight, you may be eligible for a refund through CAR. See how to make a claim section.

As part of my Australia package USIT were to complete a Tax File Number (’TFN’) application for me. Will this still happen?

Unfortunately, we can no longer offer this service. If you have already received a confirmation that a TFN application was opened for you, you will receive a notification from the Inland Revenue in due course.

If not, you will need to apply for the TFN locally yourself.

I do not wish to travel anymore / I want a refund. How do I make a claim?

You may be covered by the consumer protection scheme in place with CAR. See how to make a claim section. You will only be eligible to make a claim to CAR if you are unable to travel due to the insolvency of USIT.

Canada programmes

I paid a deposit of €100 for my package. What happens my visa application and funds?

Unfortunately, your application has not been processed. Based on feedback we have received from CAR, you are unlikely to be covered by the consumer protection scheme in place with CAR. If you paid by debit or credit card, you may be covered by the relevant card provider’s charge back terms and conditions, and it is recommended that you pursue this option now. See how to make a claim section.

Furthermore, should you wish to travel, you will have to submit a new visa application.

I paid a deposit of €579 in order to get my visa application started. What is the current status of my application?

Your visa application falls into one of the following categories:

  1. If you didn’t submit any documentation for your visa application, the application has not progressed. Based on feedback we have received from CAR, you may not be covered by the consumer protection scheme in place with CAR unless your visa package included a flight. If you had not booked a flight, then please contact your credit card company to confirm that you can apply for a chargeback for the monies you paid. If you still wish to travel, you will need to start a new application with another provider.
  2. If you submitted all of the required documentation and were notified that your application was in the pool for the IEC visa. You should have received an email from USIT confirming next steps to either take ownership of or withdraw your application with a deadline to reply by Friday 15 May. If USIT do not hear from you by this date your application will be withdrawn. This does not affect your ability to apply for a visa in the future.
  3. If you have received a notification that you are at the biometric stage, you will need to complete your biometrics when the visa application centre (‘VAC’) reopens. You should have already received an email with steps on how to do this. You will be given direct access to your myCIC account so that you can receive notification of your POE letter.
  4. If you have already received your Port of Entry (‘POE’) letter, your application has been completed and you are eligible to travel to Canada and enter on the IEC programme when it is safe to do so. Please ensure you have the relevant 2 years IEC insurance cover in place should you decide to cancel.

Am I entitled to any refund from CAR if I have not received my visa?

In the case where you booked a visa only package, based on feedback provided by CAR we understand that you will not be covered by the consumer protection scheme in place with CAR.

If you booked a flight with your visa package then you may have an eligible claim to the consumer protection scheme in place with CAR.

If you paid by debit or credit card, you may be covered by the relevant card provider’s charge back terms and conditions, and it is recommended that you pursue this option now. Seehow to make a claim section.

I have my POE letter but will not be able to travel before the expiry date of the approval. Is there an extension to this timeline due to Covid-19?

If your POE Letter expires within the next 30 calendar days, please complete the IRCC online web form to advise them of your issue. IRCC has indicated that they will offer extensions to some users who have been significantly impacted by Covid-19.

I am already abroad participating in my work abroad programme. Does the insolvency process at USIT affect my visa?

No, your visa remains valid as it is completely independent of the status of USIT.

I need a copy of my IEC application documentation. How do I get these back from you?

Due to the closure of USIT, unfortunately we are unable to provide copies of any documentation that may have been originally supplied as part of your application. You will need to obtain any documentation from its original source.

I cancelled my Canada programme booking with USIT several weeks ago and was advised that I would be getting a partial refund. What is the status of this?

Unfortunately, due to the closure of the company, that refund request cannot be processed. You may be due a refund so please refer to how to make a claim section.

As part of my Canada programme, a job assistance service was offered. What does this mean for me?

If you purchased the job assistance service with USIT as part of your programme, please note the below:

  1. If you have a confirmed job offer with an employer through USIT, you should liaise with the employer directly to ensure your job status is unchanged.
  2. If you have yet to be placed in a job, unfortunately this service cannot be fulfilled, and you should apply for a refund via the options as described here

I have an accommodation and/or transfer, tour, arrival support package booked with USIT. Are these still valid as part of my package?

Unfortunately, none of these services can be honored, regardless of whether you were issued with a confirmation voucher or not. If this was booked with a flight, you may be eligible for a refund through CAR, if not we recommend applying through your credit card company for a chargeback of the amounts paid. See how to make a claim section.

Important Note on the IEC Programme from May 2020.

Effective May 8, 2020, the IEC Program is limiting entry into Canada to only those IEC participants who have both

  • a valid port of entry letter of introduction, and
  • a valid job offer, which includes recent confirmation from your employer that they continue to operate and are willing to employ you.

This means that anyone travelling for tourism, recreation or entertainment will not be admitted. If you do not already have a job in Canada or a job offer, you will not be allowed to enter the country.

Please visit IEC’s special measures page to stay up to date on the latest IEC information.

Worldwide Holidays / Adventure Tours / Packages

My travel package included an adventure tour. Can I still travel on this tour?

If you have a G Adventures, Intrepid or Contiki tour booked with USIT, the adventure tour partners will be in contact with you directly with an update on your booking status.

If you do not hear from them, you can contact them via:

G Adventures: +353 1513 4741

Intrepid: UKPGM@intrepidtravel.com

Contiki: 1800-989898

I have an accommodation and/or transfer, car hire package booked with USIT. Are these still valid as part of my package?

Unfortunately, none of these services can now be honored, regardless of whether you were issued with a confirmation voucher or not. If this was booked with a flight, you may be eligible for a refund through the consumer protection scheme operated by CAR. If you are not eligible for the CAR scheme, we recommend applying through your credit card company for a chargeback of the amounts paid. See how to make a claim section.

I did not receive all the travel documentation I had paid for. How do I make a claim?

See how to make a claim section. CAR will assess your claim to see if you are eligible for any refund. You will only be eligible to make a claim to CAR if you are unable to travel due to the insolvency of USIT.

Flights and Insurance

I purchased my flight with you for later this year and have already received my e-ticket. Can I still travel on this flight?

Yes, your ticket is valid and your flights have been paid for. Please refer to your emails as we are not able to resend copies of tickets.

I had a flight booking on hold with USIT, but I have not received a copy of the e-ticket, can I still travel on this flight.

No, this means that you do not have a valid flight ticket and the reservation on hold is cancelled. You may be eligible for a refund through the consumer protection scheme operated by CAR. See how to make a claim section.

I need to change my flight purchased with you. How do I go about this now?

If you have received your e-ticket and wish to make changes to your flights, please contact the airline directly. In some cases, the general customer support team for the airline will not be familiar with USIT’s status and will automatically advise you to make flight changes with your travel agent. Please specify that your travel agent is no longer able to support amendments to your ticket due to the liquidation process and they should be able to help you.

J1 RELATED

Policies purchased in 2019 - I paid USIT for insurance for my trip, is this insurance still valid?

Yes, your insurance is valid as per the travel dates on your policy document. If you need to amend the cover dates you should contact MAPFRE via usitenquiries@mapfre.com [by 5 June 2020] and they will try to accommodate your request.

Policies purchased in 2020 - I paid USIT for insurance for my trip during 2020, and I intend to travel – what do I need to do?

The premium paid by you to USIT was not received by MAPFRE, the insurer.

If you intend to travel and wish to confirm insurance cover, the premium paid by you to USIT must be assigned to the insurer, MAPFRE Asistencia (“MAPFRE”). You should assign the payment by submitting a claim form to the Commission for Aviation Regulation (“CAR”) nominating MAPFRE to receive the premium paid by you to USIT for insurance cover. Once you have submitted the claim form to CAR, you should contact MAPFRE via usitenquiries@mapfre.com [by 5 June 2020] to confirm that you intend to travel and provide evidence of submission of your claim to the CAR or for any assistance.

I paid USIT for insurance for my trip during 2020, and I do not intend to travel – what do I need to do?

The premium paid by you to USIT was not received by MAPFRE, the insurer

If you do not intend to travel and no longer require travel insurance, you should submit a claim form to the CAR for a refund of any premium paid by you to USIT. Once you have submitted the claim form to CAR, you should contact MAPFRE via usitenquiries@mapfre.com [by 5 June 2020] to confirm that you do not intend to travel and provide evidence of your claim for a refund of premium or for any assistance. .

What is the deadline for submitting the claim form to CAR?

You must submit your claim form to the CAR by 26 May 2020. Failure to do so may mean that you will not have the required travel insurance in place with MAPFRE or you may not receive a refund of premium from the CAR. If you fail to submit the claim form by 26 May 2020, you should contact MAPFRE via usitenquiries@mapfre.com for assistance as soon as possible.

I didn’t pay USIT for my insurance policy, but it was issued as part of the programme, is it still valid?

No. As the premium required to validate the policy was not paid within the 7 day timeframe advised to you, the offer of insurance cover lapsed and your policy did not come into existence. The insurer, MAPFRE, has been notified accordingly. In the event that you do intend to consider travelling it is important that you make alternative travel insurance arrangements, as you do not have valid insurance cover in place with MAPFRE.

EVERYTHING NON J1

Policies purchased in 2019 - I paid for insurance for my trip, is this insurance still valid?

Yes, your insurance is valid as per the travel dates on your policy document. If you need to amend the cover dates you should contact MAPFRE via usitenquiries@mapfre.com [by 5 June 2020] and they will try to accommodate your request.

Policies purchased in 2020 - My package included insurance and I have not started my trip, how does USIT’s liquidation affect my policy.

The premium paid by you to USIT was not received by MAPFRE, the insurer

For participants with packages including a travel insurance policy please note the following scenarios.

  1. If you intend to travel on your original departure date and wish to confirm insurance cover, the premium paid by you to USIT should be assigned to MAPFRE. You can assign the payment by submitting a claim form to the CAR nominating MAPFRE to receive the premium paid by you to USIT for insurance cover. Once you have submitted the claim form to the CAR, you should contact MAPFRE via usitenquiries@mapfre.com [by 5 June 2020] to confirm that you intend to travel and provide evidence of submission of your claim to the CAR.
  2. If you intend to travel at a later date and need to change the start date of your policy, you should submit a claim to the CAR for a refund of any premium paid by you to USIT and make alternative insurance arrangements. Once you have submitted the claim form to CAR, you should contact MAPFRE via usitenquiries@mapfre.com to confirm that you do not intend to travel on the original departure date and provide evidence of your claim for a refund of premium.
  3. If you do not intend to travel and no longer require travel insurance, you should submit a claim to the CAR for a refund of any premium paid by you to USIT. Once you have submitted the claim form to the CAR, you should contact MAPFRE via usitenquiries@mapfre.com [by 5 June 2020] to confirm that you do not intend to travel and provide evidence of your claim for a refund of premium.

You must submit your claim form to the CAR by 26 May 2020. Failure to do so may mean that you will not have the required travel insurance in place with MAPFRE or you may not receive a refund of premium from the CAR. If you fail to submit the claim form by 26 May 2020, you should contact MAPFRE via usitenquiries@mapfre.com for assistance as soon as possible. You can also contact MAPFRE via usitenquiries@mapfre.com for assistance if you wish to obtain alternative cover.

Policies purchased in 2020 - I was already travelling abroad before 27 March 2020, does USIT’s liquidation affect my insurance policy?

The premium paid by you to USIT was not received by MAPFRE, the insurer. However, MAPFRE will stand over your policy and your insurance cover will remain valid in accordance with the terms of your policy. Should you wish to make any claims under this policy, you can do so as usual by contacting MAPFRE directly via traveldept@MAPFRE.com for assistance.

Where you are eligible to make a claim against the CAR in respect of your travel arrangements, you should also seek to assign the premium payment to MAPFRE by submitting a claim form to the CAR by 26 May 2020 nominating MAPFRE to receive the premium.

My annual multi-trip insurance policy is up for renewal either now or later this year, how can I get it renewed?

Due to the failure of USIT, MAPFRE is not in a position to invite a renewal of your existing policy terms and conditions. If you wish to obtain travel insurance on expiry of your existing policy, you can contact MAPFRE via usitenquiries@mapfre.com for assistance.

Does my insurance cover me for USIT's liquidation?

Insurance policies underwritten by MAPFRE and purchased through USIT do not provide cover for any lost travel or other costs paid by you in the event your travel agent going into liquidation. If you hold an alternative policy with another provider, you should check the details of the policy with your provider.

If you have a valid insurance policy in place with MAPFRE, you may be entitled to claim under your insurance policy for a reason other than liquidation of USIT, if your claim relates to an insured event under the policy.

Interrail/ Student Cards / Vouchers

I have an interrail pass.  Can I still travel on this?

If you have been issued your travel pass, you can still travel using it once it is safe to start traveling in Europe again.

I wish to change the dates or pass type of my interrail ticket. How do I do this now?

You should contact Irish Rail via https://www.irishrail.ie/contact-us to discuss the options for making changes to your current interrail ticket.

I ordered my interrail ticket and was due to either collect it from your office or receive it in the post. What happens now?

Unfortunately, you will not be receiving an interrail ticket. You will not be covered by the consumer protection scheme in place with CAR. Please contact your credit card company to confirm that you can apply for a chargeback for the monies you paid. See how to make a claim section. You should follow the instructions given to apply for a refund through your bank merchant.

I no longer wish to travel on my interrail ticket. Can I obtain a refund?

Unfortunately, due to the liquidation status of the company, it is not possible to obtain a refund on your interrail ticket, however you may be able to change your travel dates (see question above). . You will not be covered by the consumer protection scheme in place with CAR.

I purchased an IConnect or USIT Student card and it has not arrived. What should I do?

Unfortunately, your card application was not processed, and you should follow the instructions on claiming a refund through your bank merchant. See how to make a claim section. You will not be covered by the consumer protection scheme in place with CAR

I have an IConnect or USIT student card. Is the card still valid due to USIT’s liquidation?

The card is still valid until the expiry date listed on the card.

I purchased a USIT gift voucher for someone or was given a USIT gift voucher. Is this still valid?

Unfortunately, you should refer to the instructions on obtaining a refund through your bank merchant. See how to make a claim section. You will not be covered by the consumer protection scheme in place with CAR.

I used my USIT gift voucher for full / partial payment for my flights / travel package which includes flights. Can I receive a reimbursement from CAR?

Only vouchers exchanged for full or part payment for overseas travel departing from the Republic of Ireland may be eligible for reimbursement from the CAR bond. In such instances, evidence of the booking must be supplied together with evidence of loss incurred. Please see how to make a claim section.

I have more questions that are not answered above, what should I do?

If you have any more questions not related to the above, please email info@usit.ie.

Work in Ireland

I am in Ireland on a work visa. Is my visa still valid?

Yes, if you are in Ireland your visa is valid according to the dates on your visa/work authorization documents.

Customers not yet departed their home country for Ireland

I am due to travel later in the year. What do I do now?

If you have booked a Work in Ireland programme with a partner agency in your home country, please liaise with them in the first instance.

If you have booked directly with USIT, you may submit a claim for a refund as follows:

  1. Through your credit/debit card

If you have paid USIT by credit/debit card, you may be covered by the relevant card provider's charge back terms and conditions, and it is recommended that you pursue this option now. If you have paid for your booking with multiple credit/debit cards, you may need to submit a claim for each card used.

'Chargeback' relates to disputed transactions, for example, when the supplier did not deliver the goods or services you paid for.

Please check your USIT receipt which you received via email when you made your booking.

  1. Insurance

Does my Insurance cover me for a refund for USIT’s liquidation?

Envisage Global Insurance policies purchased through USIT do not provide cover on costs paid in the case of your travel agent going into liquidation. If you hold an alternative policy with another provider, you should check the details of the policy with your provider.

You may still be able to eligible for a refund through your Envisage insurance policy if your claim relates to an insured reason.

What does this mean for my Work in Ireland programme now?

Unfortunately, due to the liquidation process of USIT, we are not able to deliver your Work in Ireland arrival services as USIT Ireland Limited has ceased to trade.

I have luggage in storage in the Work in Ireland center. When can I get it from the center?

We are in contact with those who have luggage stored in the Work in Ireland center to arrange for collection once it is safe to do so. We will be adhering to the Irish Government and HSE guidelines in this regard.  If have immediate concerns or are returning to your home country shortly and have not heard from us about your luggage, please contact us info@usit.ie to get further information.

I have more questions that are not answered above, what should I do?

If you have further questions not related to the above, please email info@usit.ie.

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