Privacy policy

This Privacy Notice (“Notice”) sets out Gen TAO LTD, a company incorporated in Ireland, owner of the collective brand USIT which represents trading names including but not limited to USIT.ie, J1online.ie, CampUSA.ie, USAvisa.ie, StudentTravel.com (collectively referred to in this document as “USIT”, “we” “our” or “us”) protects the privacy of your personal information.

We need to collect, use and disclose personal information to perform our business functions and activities, including making and managing work and travel bookings and visa applications on behalf of our customers. We are firmly committed to protecting the privacy and confidentiality of personal information and to maintaining various physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to protect personal information in our care.

The collective brand USIT offers a range of specialist travel experiences including the J1 Summer Work and Travel visa, Work and Travel Visas, Internships to destinations around the world. As well as niche programmes we also offer adventure trips, Flights, Insurance and much more.

This Notice will apply to how we handle your personal information how it is collected, used and disclosed. When we provide our services to you it is necessary to process your data. In some cases, we may require your consent to process your data such as marketing activities. If you do not agree with any part of this Notice, you must not provide your personal information to us. If you do not provide us with your personal information, or if you withdraw a consent that you have given under this Notice, this may affect our ability to provide services to you or negatively impact the services we can provide to you. For example, most visa applications must be made under the participant’s full name and must include contact details and appropriate identification (e.g. passport details/copy). We cannot make an application for you without that information.

Please note that our website and other digital platforms may contain links to third party websites or digital platforms which are provided for your convenience. We are only responsible for the privacy practices and security of our own digital platforms.

If you have any questions about this privacy notice or about your personal data, please email us at dataprotection@usit.ie.

The GDPR applies to ‘personal data’ meaning any information relating to an identifiable person who can be directly or indirectly identified by reference to an identifier. This definition provides for a wide range of personal identifiers to constitute personal data, including name, identification number, location data or online identifier, reflecting changes in technology and the way organisations collect information about people. The GDPR applies to both automated personal data and to manual filing systems where personal data are accessible according to specific criteria. This could include chronologically ordered sets of manual records containing personal data.

Generally, the type of personal information we collect about you is the information that is needed to facilitate your work and travel bookings or enquires and to arrange travel or other related services and/or products on your behalf.

We therefore typically process the following types of personal information about you:

• contact information (such as name, residential/mailing address, telephone /mobile number, email address)
• payment account information (credit/debit card details, including card type, card number, security number and expiry date)
• passport details
• date of birth
• work history, cover letter, curriculum vitae or resume
• information about your health issues (if any)
• other details relevant to your work and travel arrangements or required by the relevant service provider(s) (e.g. sponsors, airlines, Embassies and accommodation or tour providers)
• to communicate with you if any products or services you have requested are unavailable

When you contact us for other purposes, we may also collect personal information about you in relation to those purposes. For example, we may collect your personal information so we can contact you about a competition you have entered (e.g. if you win) or to respond to an enquiry or feedback you have sent to us. We also collect information that is required for use in the business activities of USIT and our related entities, including for example, financial details necessary in order to process various transactions, video surveillance footage used for security purposes, and other relevant personal information you may elect to provide to us.

In some circumstances, we may collect personal information from you which may be regarded as sensitive information under GDPR. Sensitive information may include (without limitation) your racial or ethnic origin, criminal record and the alleged commission of an offence, biometric and genetic information, and health information. We will only collect sensitive information in compliance where it is reasonably necessary for, or directly related to, one or more of our functions or activities (e.g. to process a visa application), unless we are otherwise required or authorised to do so by law.

We will only collect personal information in compliance with GDPR. We usually collect your personal information from the information you submit during the course of your relationship with us. We will collect this information directly from you unless it is unreasonable or impracticable to do so. If you do not agree to this policy, please do not use our websites. Your continued use of the websites following the posting of changes to this policy will be deemed your acceptance of those changes

Generally, this collection will occur:

• when you deal with us either in person, by telephone, WhatsApp, letter, email.
• when you sign up to receive communications from us at an event in one of our branches, at a college stand/talk, or in another public event we attend
• when you visit any of our websites; or
• when you connect with us via social media
• when you purchase or make enquiries about work and travel arrangements or other products and services
• Unless you choose to do so under a pseudonym or anonymously, we may also collect your personal information (other than sensitive information) when you complete surveys or provide us with feedback. In some circumstances, it may be necessary for us to collect personal information about you from a third party. This includes where a person makes a booking on your behalf which includes travel arrangements to be used by you (e.g. a family or group booking, or a travel booking made for you by your employer). Where this occurs, we will rely on the authority of the person making the booking to act on behalf of any other traveller on the booking.

Where you make a travel booking on behalf of another person (e.g. a family or group booking or a travel booking made for an employee), you are responsible for informing those other parties about this privacy notice and we will handle their data in accordance with this notice.

We make every effort to maintain the accuracy and completeness of your personal information which we store and to ensure that all your personal information is up to date. However, you can assist us with this considerably by promptly contacting us if there are any changes to your personal information or if you become aware that we have inaccurate personal information relating to you. Please see contact details below. We will not be responsible for any losses arising from any inaccurate, inauthentic, deficient or incomplete personal information that you, or a person acting on your behalf, provide to us.

We will only process your information, where:

• you have given your consent to such processing (which you may withdraw at any time)
• the processing is necessary to provide our services to you
• the processing is necessary for compliance with our legal obligations; and/or
• the processing is necessary for our legitimate interests or those of any third-party recipients that receive your personal information

In detail: Where you contact us in relation to a work & travel programme or holiday, the purpose for which we collect your personal information is generally to provide you with information about your enquiry and/or to assist you with booking on to a programme and/or travel related products and services. However, the purpose for collection may differ depending on the circumstances as disclosed in this Notice (e.g. collection of your personal information for the purpose of your participation in a competition, provision of feedback, etc.).

When you book a work and travel programme or otherwise arrange travel related products and services through us, we usually act as an agent for the relevant travel and visa service providers (e.g. for a US Sponsor appointed by the US State Department). In this case, we process your personal information as necessary to provide the services you requested from us. This usually includes collecting personal information about you both for our internal purposes as described in this Notice and for the visa and or travel service provider for whom we act as agent (e.g. to provide you with the booked services). For example, if you book a ‘J-1 Summer and Work and Travel Programme’ through us, then we use your personal information to enable your visa to be processed and disclose it to the US Sponsor and US Embassy.

We may therefore share your information with our visa and travel service providers such as sponsor agencies, employers, airlines, or other providers, who fulfil your programme bookings. Please note that these service providers also may use your personal information as described in their respective privacy notice and may contact you as necessary to obtain additional information about you, facilitate your travel reservation, or provide you with your requested services. We encourage you to review the privacy notices of any third-party travel service providers whose products you purchase through us. We will provide you with copies of all relevant travel service provider terms, conditions and privacy notices on your request.

We act as agent for or on behalf of many service providers around the world, so it is not possible for us to set out in this Notice all the travel service providers for whom we act or their locations. For more information about the disclosure of personal information to travel service providers located overseas see below under ‘personal information transferred overseas’. If you are reading this Notice because you are booking on a specific programme, holiday, tour, service you will be notified in more detail through your agent and/or in the terms and conditions who our specific partners are with regard your booking.

If you have any concerns regarding the transfer of your personal information to one of our service providers, or if you wish to contact us for further information, please refer to the “Contact” section below.

The purposes for which we collect personal information further include:

• identification of fraud or error
• regulatory reporting and compliance
• developing and improving our products and services and those of our related entities
• servicing our relationship with you by, among other things, creating and maintaining a customer profile to enable our brands to service you better or presenting options on our website we think may interest you based on your browsing and preferences
• involving you in market research, gauging customer satisfaction and seeking feedback regarding our relationship with you and/or the service we have provided
• for research and analysis in relation to our business and services, including but not limited to trends and preferences in sales and travel destinations and use of our websites
• internal accounting and administration
• to comply with our legal obligations and any applicable customs/immigration requirements relating to your travel; and
• other purposes as authorised or required by law (e.g. to prevent a threat to life, health or safety, or to enforce our legal rights)
• we may monitor or record telephone calls for security purposes, to improve the quality of services that we provide to you. In the issue of a dispute or complaint we may use these telephones calls to help clarify said dispute

Where permitted by GDPR, we may use your personal information to send you targeted marketing activities relating to our products and services (and those of third parties) that we think may interest you, unless you have requested not to receive such information. These may include, but are not limited to, mail outs, electronic marketing and notifications as described below, and telephone calls). We will only use your personal information to send electronic marketing materials to you (including e-newsletters, email and SMS,) if you have opted-in to receive them.

Should you no longer wish to receive promotional/marketing material from us, participate in market research or receive other types of communication from us, please refer to the “Contact” section below. You can unsubscribe from receiving electronic marketing materials by following the unsubscribe prompt in your email and SMS. Please also see the “Your rights” section of this Notice to learn about your ability, at any time, to opt out or limit the use of your browsing behaviour for online behavioural advertising purposes.

We do not and will not sell your personal information. We will only disclose your personal information to third parties in the ways set out in this Notice and as set out below, and in accordance with GDPR. Note that, in this Notice, where we say “disclose”, this includes to transfer, share (including verbally and in writing), send, or otherwise make available or accessible your personal information to another person or entity.

Your personal information may be disclosed to the following types of third parties:

• our contractors, suppliers and service providers, including without limitation: in each of the circumstances set out in “How do we use your personal information?
• travel service providers such as sponsor agencies, embassy’s, travel wholesalers, tour operators, airlines, hotels, car rental companies, transfer handlers and other related service providers
• suppliers of IT based solutions that assist us in providing products and services to you (such as any external data hosting providers we may use)
• An Post, courier services when sending you direct mail
• external business advisers (such as lawyers, accountants, and auditors)
• any third party to whom we assign or novate any of our rights or obligations
• a person making your travel booking on your behalf, where you are travelling on a booking made on your behalf by another person (for example, a family member, friend or work colleague)
• a person who can verify to us that they have a relationship with you (e.g. a family member) where you are not contactable, the person has been submitted by you as your next of kin, and the request is, in our opinion, in your interest (for example, where we are concerned about your welfare or a sponsor agency is concerned for your welfare or the next of kin needs to undertake action on your behalf due to unforeseen circumstances)
• as required or authorised by applicable law, and to comply with our legal obligations if needed
• customs and immigration to comply with our legal obligations and any applicable customs/immigration requirements relating to your travel
• government agencies and public authorities to comply with a valid and authorised request, including a court order or other valid legal process
• various regulatory bodies and law enforcement officials and agencies, including to protect against fraud and for related security purposes; and
• enforcement agencies where we suspect that unlawful activity has been or may be engaged in and the personal information is a necessary part of our investigation or reporting of the matter
• when we send you mail shots or email marketing we will use Mailchimp to do this and your data will be stored here – more information here
• if you fill out a form on our web platforms you may do so through Wufoo. Find more info here

Other than the above, we will not disclose your personal information without your consent unless we reasonably believe that disclosure is necessary to lessen or prevent a threat to life, health or safety of an individual or to public health or safety or for certain action to be undertaken by an enforcement body (e.g. prevention, detection, investigation, prosecution or punishment of criminal offences), or where such disclosure is authorised or required by law (including applicable privacy / data protection laws).

On our websites, you may choose to use certain features that can be accessed through, or for which we partner with, other entities that are not otherwise affiliated with us. These features, which include, a currency exchange agency, social networking and geo-location tools, are operated by third parties, including social networks, and are clearly identified as such. These third parties may use or share personal information in accordance with their own privacy policies. We strongly suggest you review the third parties’ privacy policies if you use the relevant features.

We may disclose your personal information to certain overseas recipients, as set out below. We will ensure that any such international transfers are either necessary for the performance of a contract between you and the overseas recipient or are made subject to appropriate or suitable safeguards as required by GDPR. We will provide you with copies of the relevant safeguard documents on your request.

It is possible that information will be transferred to an overseas recipient (other than any of our overseas related entities) located in a jurisdiction where you will not be able to seek redress under GDPR and that does not have an equivalent level of data protection as in Ireland or the U.K. To the extent permitted by GDPR, we will not be liable for how these overseas recipients handle, store and process your personal information.

Our service providers located overseas: In providing our services to you, it may be necessary for us to disclose personal information to relevant overseas work and travel service providers. We deal with many different providers all over the world, so the location of a service provider relevant to your personal information will depend on the services being provided. The relevant service providers will in most cases receive your personal information in the country in which they will provide the services to you or in which their business or management is based.

Our third-party service providers located overseas: We may also disclose your personal information to third parties located overseas for the purpose of performing services for us. Generally, we will only disclose your personal information to these overseas recipients in connection with facilitation of your programme or travel booking and/or to enable the performance of administrative and technical services by them on our behalf. We use key service providers located in the USA, UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand. We also deal with many different service providers all over the world, so it is not possible for us to set out in this Notice all of the different countries to which we may send your personal information. However, if you have any specific questions about where or to whom your personal information will be sent, please refer to the “Contact” section below.

We will retain your personal data only for as long as is necessary for the purposes for which it was collected and to meet the legal and business requirements of managing your customer account and experience with us. In particular:

• We will retain personal data that is necessary for us to provide you with a product or service that you have requested or purchased for as long as it takes us to provide that product or service
• We will retain your contact details for marketing purposes for as long as we have your permission to send you marketing information or for as long as we are permitted to do so, subject to your right to object at any stage
• We will retain records of any transactions you enter with us or products or services you receive for up to seven years. This is so that we can respond to any complaints or disputes that arise in that period; USIT is not responsible for any third party’s actions or their security controls with respect to information that third parties may collect or process via their websites, services or otherwise
• We will destroy or de-identify personal information once we no longer require it for our business purposes, you request it, or as required by our retention period or by law

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) strengthens your rights over how companies use your data. A summary of these rights is as follows:

1. The right to insist that brands who hold your data are transparent about how they use your personal information, and fair in the way they process and use it.
2. The right to access your personal information.
3. The right to insist that companies correct any mistakes in the information they hold.
4. The right to erase or delete your personal information in certain situations.
5. The right to receive a copy of your personal data held by a company, in certain situations.
6. The right to opt-out of direct marketing.
7. The right to object to automated decision processes which significantly affect or disadvantage you, in certain circumstances
8. The right to object to continued processing of your personal information, in certain circumstances
9. The right to restrict the way that companies process your personal information, in certain circumstances.

If you wish to:

• update, modify, delete or obtain a copy of the personal information that we hold on you; or
• restrict or stop us from using any of the personal information which we hold on you, including by withdrawing any consent you have previously given to the processing of such information; or
• where any personal information has been processed based on your consent or as necessary to perform a contract to which you are a party, request a copy of such personal information in a suitable format

you can request this by emailing us at the address set out in the contact us section below. You will receive acknowledgement of your request and we will advise you of the timeframe within which you will receive your information in accordance with GDPR.

We endeavour to respond to such requests within a month or less as per GDPR regulations, although we reserve the right to extend this period for complex requests. We will update you if this is the case.

We reserve the right to deny you access for any reason permitted under applicable laws. Such exemptions may include a country’s national security. If we deny access or correction, we will provide you with written reasons for such denial unless it is unreasonable to do so and, where required by GDPR, will note your request and the denial of same in our records.

Further correspondence regarding your request should only be made in writing to the Data Protection Commissioner at the address set out below. You must always provide accurate information and you agree to update it whenever necessary. You also agree that, in the absence of any update, we can assume that the information submitted to us is correct, unless we subsequently become aware that it is not correct.

You can at any time tell us not to send you marketing communications by email by clicking on the unsubscribe link within the marketing emails you receive from us or by opting out of text messages within the SMS you have received from us. Please note if you want to opt out of both email and SMS you will need to do so through those two channels. They are exclusive of each other. You can also contact us at the information below and state what you would like to be opted out of.

In any of the situations listed above, we may request that you prove your identity by providing us with a copy of a valid means of identification in order for us to comply with our security obligations and to prevent unauthorised disclosure of personal information.

We reserve the right to charge you a reasonable administrative fee for any manifestly unfounded or excessive requests concerning your access to your personal information, and for any additional copies of the personal information you request from us.

Our websites may use social media features and widgets (such as “Like” buttons/widgets) These are provided and operated by third party companies (e.g. Facebook) and either hosted by a third party or hosted directly on our website or mobile application. These features may collect information such as the page you are visiting on our website/mobile application, your IP address, and may set cookies to enable the social media feature to function properly.

If you are logged into your account with the third-party company, then the third-party may be able to link information about your visit to and use of our website to your social media account with them. Similarly, your interactions with these features may be recorded by the third party. You can manage the sharing of information and opt out from targeted marketing via your privacy settings for the third-party social media platform.

Your interactions with these social media Features are governed by the privacy policy of the third-party company providing them. For more information about the data practices of these third-party companies, and to find out more about what personal information is collected about you and how the third party uses such personal information, please refer to their privacy policy directly.

When you access our website, or open electronic correspondence or communications from us, our servers and email broadcast provider may record data regarding your device and the network you are using to connect with us, including your IP address. An IP address is a series of numbers which identify your computer, and which are generally assigned when you access the internet.

We may use IP addresses for system administration, investigation of security issues and compiling anonymised data regarding usage of our website. We may also link IP addresses to other personal information we hold about you and use it for the purposes described above (e.g. to better tailor our marketing and advertising materials, provided you have opted in to receive electronic marketing).

Our Site may use "cookies" to enhance User experience. User's web browser places cookies on their hard drive for record-keeping purposes and sometimes to track information about them. Users may choose to set their web browser to refuse cookies, or to alert you when cookies are being sent. If they do so, note that some parts of the Site may not function properly.

Our websites may contain links to third party websites (e.g. Wufoo/Eventbrite) over which we only have control of certain aspects for example: general contact information, your questions, or when you sign up for an event. We will use this data collected from the third-party site to contact you with your enquiry, add you to the mailing list you have opted in to receive communications about or to register you for an event. We are not responsible for the privacy practices or the content of such websites. We encourage you to read the privacy policies of any linked third-party websites you visit as their privacy policy and practices may differ from ours.

You may correct or update your personal information at any time by emailing us at info@usit.ie. Please include your booking reference number/s, name, address, date of birth and email address when you contact us as this helps us to ensure that we accept amendments only from the correct person.

We will securely retain your data for as long as is reasonably necessary and in accordance with GDPR. The length we will hold your data for will depend on the programme you have booked with us. Please see the terms and conditions relating to the specific programme you have booked for more detail. If you wish to submit a request that your data be deleted, please email us at dataprotection@usit.ie

We will respond to any enquiries or complaints received as soon as practicable.

We may amend this Notice from time to time. If we make a change to the Notice, the revised version will be posted on our website. We will post a prominent notice on our website to notify you of any significant changes to our Notice and indicate at the end of the Notice when it was most recently updated. It is your responsibility, and we encourage you, to check the website from time to time to determine whether there have been any changes. If we update our Notice, in certain circumstances, we may seek your consent.

This Privacy Notice was last updated on 20th September 2020.

YOUR BOOKING IS WITH GenTAO Ltd

In these terms and conditions, references to "the Company", "we", "us" or "our" mean USIT (our registered office is at 29-31 South William St, Dublin, DO2 EY96 and our company number is 670958). References to "you", "your" and "participant" are references to you and all the persons named in your booking.

GENERAL

All applications will be considered in order of receipt. However, the Company reserves the right to decline any bookings in which case all monies will be refunded, minus a £25/€30 administration fee. Written acceptance to the programme will be emailed to you as soon as possible following receipt of a complete application form and appropriate payment. Places on programmes are limited and offered on a first-come, first-served basis. Where all the programme places for the selected departure date have been filled, the Company will contact the applicant and offer an alternative. If this is unsuitable the online payment will be refunded. Depending on the booked programme, applications must typically be made at least 6-12 weeks before the intended departure date. The applicable application details are documented in the respective programme terms or you can contact the Company.

The applicant must supply the Company with a valid email address, which will be used by you for the entire duration of your stay in the US. This must be your own personal email address. You cannot supply a friend’s email address as this will not be accepted. It is the sole responsibility of each applicant to ensure that they have given us a valid email address, and any information not received due to failure or inadequate email address will not be the responsibility of the Company

YOUR BOOKING

When you make a booking, you guarantee that as the lead name, you have the authority to accept and do accept, on behalf of your party, the terms of these booking conditions and those of any suppliers. It is your responsibility to ensure that all the details on your travel documents are correct and to bring to our attention any errors or discrepancies immediately. You authorize the Company to liaise with the Emergency Contact listed on your application form as it deems necessary. In the unlikely event that you are unhappy with any service provided by the Company, its suppliers, affiliates or agents, you must first inform the supplier of the service in order to give them the chance to rectify the problem. If the supplier does not satisfactorily rectify the problem, you must put your complaint in writing to the supplier and at the same time inform the Company by e-mail or in writing. the Company will do its best to rectify the problem. If you are still unhappy with the way that your complaint has been addressed, you may escalate it to our Customer Relations Department by emailing info@usit.iePAYMENTS

PAYMENTS

Payments can be made by Visa or MasterCard and may be subject to a credit/debit card fee that depends on the respective card and will be advised at time of payment. Diners Club and American Express are not accepted. the Company reserve the right to refuse personal cheques as a method of payment. We reserve the right at our absolute discretion to decline or accept bookings made from outside the country where the booking is placed. Any automatic booking confirmations for such bookings are conditional and may get cancelled after assessment by the Company, in which case the customer will be informed by the Company. Any confirmed booking is subject to your credit / debit card approval for the transaction. If your credit / debit card is not approved, we will attempt to contact you but hold no responsibility for any subsequent non provision of services in the event we are unable to establish contact with you. The specific payment terms for each programme are documented in the respective programme terms and conditions. Your program payments to the Company remain valid for a period of 24 months from the date of payment. Should your booking remain idle for a period of 24 months or longer, your booking will be deemed as no longer active and will be paused, with no refund due. Customers will need to contact us in writing to resume their booking.

LIFETIME DEPOSIT

the Company deposit is protected for life and you can use your deposit payment against any other Company product. Deposit amounts vary by programme and you should refer to your programme specific conditions. Your deposit has no cash value, is non-refundable and only onelifetime deposit can be used per person per product booked. Once your application has progressed to placement or visa application stage your deposit will be deemed 'used' and will therefore be non-transferable.

CHANGES TO YOUR BOOKING

Please note that all reservation changes are subject to availability and the terms and conditions of the services purchased. The name you provide for the booking must be the same as on your passport. Whilst we do our best to make such a change if necessary, please bear in mind that many suppliers of travel services, airlines or international visa & immigration departments treat a name change as a cancellation, so the conditions and cancellation charges per booking confirmation will apply.

CANCELLATIONS

Cancellations are deemed to be requested when written notification is received by the Company and will incur charges. These charges can be up to 100% of the cost of the programme, regardless of whether travel has commenced. Fees will also apply where a programme booking is changed. If you decide to cancel from the programme, the respective cancellation conditions of the programme apply. These specific cancellations are documented in the programme terms or can be requested from the Company. In the following cases, no refund will be received: a. A candidate cancels their programme after they have started their work abroad programme. b. A placement is cancelled by the host for cause or due to candidate misconduct. c. A candidate misrepresents themselves, breaks any laws or harms the reputation the Company, the local co-operator or the host

IMPORTANT NOTE - CHANGES BEYOND OUR CONTROL

Compensation will not apply if a significant change is made for reasons beyond our control. These include: war, threat of war, riots, civil disturbances, terrorist activity, industrial disputes, natural and nuclear disasters, fire, epidemics/pandemics, health risks, changes due to rescheduling or cancellation of flights by an airline or alteration of the airline or aircraft type; closed or congested airports or ports, hurricanes and other actual or potential severe weather conditions, and any other similar event. In the event of any of our suppliers becoming insolvent, the Company will make all reasonable efforts to find an alternative supplier within reasonable time frames. Refunds will be offered as per our programme cancellation terms & conditions.

PASSPORTS, VISAS & IMMIGRATION

We can provide general information about the passport and visa requirements for your trip. Your specific passport and visa requirements, and other immigration requirements are your responsibility and you should confirm these with the relevant Embassies and/or Consulates. Neither we nor the principal(s) or supplier(s) accepts any responsibility if you cannot travel because you have not complied with any passport, visa or immigration requirements. Please note that these requirements may change between booking and departure. Most countries now require passports to be valid for at least 6 months after your return date. There may be specific visa requirements for the booked programmes, and these are documented in the programme-specific terms. You can also contact us for specific details.

TRAVEL ADVICE AND VACCINATIONS

You should refer to the travel advice posted by the responsible authority of your country for all the countries you intend to visit. Vaccinations may be required for some or all of the places you are intending to visit. It is your responsibility to ensure that you have arranged all necessary vaccinations for your itinerary.

INSURANCE

Travel insurance is a vital part of your arrangements and adequate travel insurance is mandatory for all participants. Either the insurance offered through the Company or an acceptable alternative must be purchased, and proof provided to the Company before departure. For your benefit, the Company have worked in partnership with insurance providers to develop a bespoke insurance offering. The bespoke policy has been specifically designed in partnership with the Company, to cover activities you are likely to partake in on a trip. Insurance can be added at any time prior to departure and a free quote can be obtained by contacting the Company.

LIABILITY

To the extent permitted by law, neither the Company nor any of its related bodies corporate, directors, employees or agents accept any liability in contract, tort or otherwise for any injury, damage, loss (including consequential loss), delay, additional expense or inconvenience caused directly or indirectly by the acts, omissions or default, whether negligent or otherwise, of third party providers over whom we have no direct control, force majeure or any other event which is beyond our control or which is not preventable by reasonable diligence on our part. Under circumstances where our liability cannot be excluded and where liability may be lawfully limited, such liability is limited to the remedies required of us under the applicable law. This liability clause is subject to your rights under the applicable law and nothing in these terms and conditions is intended to limit any rights you may have under the applicable law.

OUR RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR ARRANGEMENTS

We have taken all reasonable care to make sure that all the services that make up the arrangements made by the Company are provided by efficient and reputable businesses. These businesses should follow the local and national laws and regulations of the country where they are provided. However, please be aware that overseas safety standards may be different compared to your home country. Our liability will be limited in accordance with the contractual terms of the companies that provide the travel services and work placements and any relevant international convention.

YOUR WORK PROGRAM CONDUCT

By joining a programme you agree:

• To abide by the programme terms and conditions as listed here, as well as that of any employer you are working for
• To act in a professional and courteous manner, within the work placement environment at all times
• To become familiar with and adhere to the local laws and customs of the country that you are working within, especially where they may influence the work placement you represent (i.e., including but not exclusive to: driving rules, local health & safety practices etc.)
• To adhere to the local co-operator and host company’s regulations and norms with reference to acceptable behaviour, timetables and dress code, where applicable. Participants exhibiting lack of effort, poor attitude, unprofessional behaviour, or who provide misleading information and/or who misrepresent the Company, the local co-operator or their respective host company in any manner may be asked to leave the program and make financial arrangements to reimburse the Company and the local co-operator.
• Respect host company’s confidential information, intellectual property, and sales and marketing ideas at all times. Should a participant’s behaviour, actions or specifically any communication; either verbal or written, lead to legal complications, neither the local co-operator nor the Company is responsible.
• Not to act in any manner likely to bring the placement, the programme, the Company or the local co-operator into disrepute. Any transgressions may result in you being removed from the programme. The decision to take such action will be made by the Company and the local co-operator and will be confirmed to in writing.

DATA PRIVACY

By finalising your arrangements with us, you are accepting that these terms and conditions and the terms and conditions of any contract made with any other suppliers of travel services within your arrangements apply to your booking and your travel arrangements. You acknowledge that as part of your booking, we will process personal information that you provide to us about you and other members of your party (and you agree that you have the right to provide us with personal information about other members of your party) for the purposes of performing our obligations in relation to your booking (which includes, but is not limited to, giving your personal information to airlines, other suppliers of travel services and public authorities (such as customs or immigration) (together " Suppliers") where this is required for the fulfilment of your arrangements). If you travel outside the European Economic Area, we may need to provide the personal information you provide us with to Travel Suppliers who are located outside the European Economic Area. If we cannot pass this personal information to the relevant Suppliers, we will be unable to provide your booking. In making your booking, you acknowledge that this personal information will be passed on to the relevant Suppliers. If you have provided us with certain special categories of personal information in order for us to provide you with a better standard of service (for example, when booking a flight or holiday with us you may provide us with information about your dietary or medical requirements, which may reveal details about your mental or physical health or condition), then by providing us with this type of personal information, you are consenting to its use in the manner set out above (i.e. in connection with the performance of your booking; which may include a transfer of such personal information outside the European Economic Area). The protection of your personal information is important to us, please see our privacy policy for further details of how we use your information.

COPYRIGHT AND TRADEMARKS

Copyright in all information and other materials on this website (including information and its arrangement) are owned by the Company. All rights are reserved. Except as permitted under applicable laws, no part of this website may be reproduced, adapted, distributed, displayed, transmitted or otherwise exploited for any commercial purpose without the express written consent of the Company. You may imprint, copy, download or temporarily store extracts from this website for your personal information or when you use the Company products and services. You must not alter anything. In particular you may not use a part of this website on any other website, or link any other website to this website, without the express written consent of the Company. Nothing contained on this website should be construed as granting any licence or right of use of any trademark displayed on the website without the express written consent of the Company.

LINKS

This website may contain links to other websites. the Company does not accept any liability for the availability of, or any content or material contained in or obtained through such websites or for the privacy practices of such websites.

COMMUNICATION

In accordance with the data protection act, the participant is the sole point of contact with the Company for any enquiries or comments regarding their programme. Information will not be divulged to third parties, including friends and/or family members regardless of a participant’s authorisation for a third party to act on their behalf. However, if we are unable to contact the applicant regarding urgent matters, compliance issues etc. we will contact the applicant’s next of kin

PROMOTIONAL OFFERS

• The participant understands that they can only use one promotional offer/discount offer per booking.
• Participant information provided will be held by the Company and only used for the purposes registered under the data protection act including general business decision and marketing, including marketing with other relevant organisations. If you do not wish to receive details by email or SMS or special offers and services arranged in association with other companies, please tick the box provided online during registration.
• Subject to terms, conditions & availability.

Your J1 USA programme conditions

The Work USAJ1 USA placement programme is offered by GenTAO Ltd trading as USIT (the “Company”) and supported by a regulated US State Department sponsor. USIT acts as an international representative for the Visa sponsor (“the sponsor”). The programme is designed to support participants to complete the steps required to obtain a DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) form which permits them to apply for a J1 Summer Work and Travel Visa (the “J1”) which is issued separately by the US Embassy and fulfil a role at a Work USA Employer .

All applicants must read these terms and conditions and binding arbitration and sign the ‘declaration of intent’ to confirm acceptance of these conditions. The USA summer work & travel programme is a cultural exchange programme which allows students the opportunity to work in the USA for a period of up to 4 months during the summer. You agree that it is your intention to gain seasonal, casual employment in the USA, and to engage in US cultural activities outside of your working hours. Experience has shown that the single most important factor in assuming a safe and successful experience abroad is the sensible and cautious behaviour of the applicant/applicant to act in accordance with these rules. This contract releases the Company and the sponsor from liability. Please read carefully and sign the student declaration on the application form showing you have read and agree to the terms and conditions and that they are binding on you and that your adherence to them is imperative. You confirm that the statements contained in this document are accurate to the best of your knowledge, and that you understand and accept the terms and conditions. This English language version of the contract is the binding contract between you and your US sponsor and the Company.

By joining the programme you are bound by the company’s general terms and conditions which are listed HERE.

1. Programme inclusions

If you are booked on to our programme where the company will assist you in finding a job, you will receive:

• Eligibility screening with a member of our team
• Jobs database with employers actively hiring seasonal staff
• Job vetting from the US Sponsor
• A DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) that allows you to apply for the J1 visa (visa must be obtained independently by the participant)
• 24/7 emergency support whilst in the USA
• An insurance policy to last for the duration of the programme (including up to 30 day travel period after your job placement)

If you are booked on to our programme and already have a job line up, you will receive:

• Eligibility screening with a member of our team
• Job vetting from the US Sponsor
• A DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) that allows you to apply for the J1 visa (visa must be obtained independently by the participant)
• 24/7 emergency support whilst in the USA
• An insurance policy to last for the duration of the programme (including up to 30 day travel period after your job placement)

2. Programme costs and payments schedule

For a full breakdown of our costs, please click here.

What are you paying the Company for?

Own Job programme

Stage 1 - At the time of booking your J1 summer work and travel programme, you must pay a non-refundable deposit of €99. You acknowledge that your application cannot progress further until you have completed the visa sponsor’s application. If you don’t complete this, your application will stay as it is and your deposit will remain non-refundable.

Stage 2 - A further payment of €200 will be due once you’ve completed the visa sponsor’s application. You will then be able to submit your job offer for review. This must be done on the visa sponsor’s application.

Stage 3 - Once your job has been approved by the visa sponsor, the final payment of €600 will be due. Only when this payment has been made, will a member of our team request to have your DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) printed by the visa sponsor. After the DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) is received by our office, we will send this out to you along with guidance on how to apply for the J1 visa at the US embassy. The sponsor will then support your entry to the United States, provide support to you via email and phone and ensure your continued compliance with the US state department.

Job assistance programme

Stage 1 - At the time of booking your J1 summer work and travel programme, you must pay a non-refundable deposit of €99. You acknowledge that your application cannot progress further until you have completed the visa sponsor’s application and completed and passed your interview with a member of our team. If you don’t complete these steps, your application will stay as it is and your deposit will remain non-refundable.

Stage 2 - A further payment of €200 will be due after your successful interview. This payment will allow you to view and apply for jobs that are available on our system. Once a job is secured, you will then be able to submit your job offer for review. This must be done on the visa sponsor’s application.

Stage 3 - Once your job has been approved by the visa sponsor, the final payment of €900 will be due. Only when this payment has been made, will a member of our team request to have your DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) printed by the visa sponsor. After the DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) is received by our office, we will send this out to you along with guidance on how to apply for the J1 visa at the US embassy. The sponsor will then support your entry to the United States, provide support to you via email and phone and ensure your continued compliance with the US state department.

Whilst start dates can never be guaranteed, we work closely with the visa sponsor to ensure your application is processed as quickly as possible. The participant understands that they are responsible for completing their application in a timely manner and that delays in completing any of the tasks above could result in a later start date than originally planned.

On average, an application can take 13 weeks from the moment a participant signs up to when they receive their J1 visa. Because of this, it is strongly encouraged that all applicants apply to our programme as early as possible and before the end of January. Guarantees can’t be made, but this will give a participant the best chance of securing the visa in time for their proposed start date.

It is the responsibility of the participant to exercise due care once in possession of the legal documentation (DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document)) and visa. The cost of replacing these items must be borne by the participant and paid directly to us before departure and to the visa sponsor if this occurs while in the USA on the programme.

What fees will you need to pay to third parties?

• US Embassy fee
• Travel to and from the US embassy
• Any additional travel insurance you wish to take
• Return flights
• Transport from the airport once you arrive in the USA
• Proof of funds (you must be able to show proof that you have at least $800 in support funds when you arrive in the USA)
• Accommodation (this is usually deducted from your pay by your employer if they provide housing for you)
• Spending money

Regardless of the circumstances, the Company are unable to refund any of these fees.

3. Transferring or changing your booking

The deposit is transferable to any Company programme up until the point of your programme interview taking place. After your interview, your deposit will be considered as used and therefore be non-transferable.

Your deposit is protected for life, however, is not transferable to another person. Your DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) must be printed with your correct name, date of birth, place and country of birth. It is your responsibility to provide details on all application forms that exactly match your passport and to verify the information on your DS-2019 is correct once received and to inform the company of any errors before travelling. The DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) replacement cost, due to misinformation or loss by the applicant is €100.

4. Programme cancellation

The €99 programme deposit is a non-refundable fee as when you book you ask us to provide certain services immediately, including granting access to the sponsor application and programme interview. The only exception is if your application is rejected by the company before submission to the US sponsor, in which case you are subject to a €30 administration fee. The below amounts will be held by the Company when cancelling at specific stages:

• If you choose to cancel before your application interview – €99 will be held (no refund due).
• If you cancel after your application interview but before you have been hired by an employer - €1 70 will be held.
• If you cancel after your job has been secured or you have submitted your job to the visa sponsor for approval – €299 will be held (no refund due)
• If you cancel after your DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) has been issued - €850 will be held (no refund due)

Along with our US visa sponsor, we reserve the right to refuse sponsorship to any applicant who does not meet the Programme eligibility requirements or any applicant that we deem to not be appropriate to accept in the general interests of the Programme. In the event that we refuse to accept an applicant on the Programme, full cancellation fees may apply. Applicants are responsible for and are obliged to check eligibility on our website before they book.

If you must cancel from the programme you must confirm this in writing and return your DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document), insurance policy and receipt of booking to us. Your cancellation will be effective from the date it is received in the office where the booking was made, and the relevant cancellation fees will apply. Please ask for details of cancellation fees at the time of booking. Refunds normally can take up to 15 working days from the time all appropriate documentation is received into the Programme Department.

Should any participant accept a position, either sourced directly or with our assistance, and pay the full programme fee, then choose to cancel the contract with the employer before travel, their programme will be cancelled, and the programme fee and all associated elements will be deemed non-refundable unless the reason is related to a travel restriction outside of your control.

Failure to obtain job approval will render you, the participant, ineligible for the programme & you will not be able to travel to the USA on a J1 visa. There will be no refund on the costs paid to us should you not be successful in obtaining job approval for this programme.

By participating in the J1 programme all participants are bound by all new programme regulations and eligibility criteria that may be introduced at any time and without notice. Along with the US embassy and the visa sponsor, we reserve the right to cancel participation on this programme (without refund) if any applicants do not meet the eligibility criteria or fail to abide by the terms and conditions of the programme including SEVIS compliance, US sponsor monthly monitoring surveys and employment vetting etc.

5. Visa

J-1 Summer Work Travel

Eligibility:

• The applicant agrees that they are a full-time student pursuing a university degree in Ireland, or normally resident in Ireland and studying in the UK.
• We can accept applications from students who are normally Irish residents but are studying in a UK college or who are temporarily abroad on an Erasmus or Socrates programme as long as they comply with all programme application requirements, US Government programme regulations and US Embassy visa application requirements. For example, they must attend the mandatory US Embassy interview in Dublin/ Belfast and be able to submit and leave their passport with the US Embassy for as long as required to process the J-1 visa application (minimum 5 working days).
• You have not committed any criminal or driving under the influence (DUI) offence
• The applicant must hold a passport valid for travel to the US for the full duration of the programme when applying (EU passports must be valid until the end of their J1 visa. Non-EU passports must be valid for 6 months after the end of their J1 visa.) Full name and details exactly as it appears on the passport you will use to travel to the USA must be used on the programme application form and subsequent enquiries relating to your application.
• All applicants must undergo a programme interview as this is a mandatory requirement to participate in the J-1 summer work and travel programme. This is separate from the mandatory US Embassy Interview. This can be done via phone or in person.
• The participant must have at least US$800 with them upon arrival in the US in order to support themself in the US until they receive their first pay check. The participant understands that wages might not cover the entirety of programme and living expenses and that they should have access to additional personal funds. The US Sponsor recommends that participants bring a minimum of US$1,200.

The conduct and requirements of the Work & Travel USA programme are subject to US Government approval and may change without notice.

Restrictions

• The applicant understands that they are not permitted to travel to, or work in any city on the list of Prohibited Regions, as these areas have been deemed unsuitable by the US Department of State. Furthermore, all applicants understand that they are not, under any circumstances, permitted to travel to the Tijuana metropolitan area in Mexico (which includes Rosarito). For a full list of ‘Prohibited Regions’, please visit www.j1online.ie
• The applicant understands that a J-1 visa cannot be extended. They must declare that they have no intention of staying in the USA after the final date allowed by this programme.
• J1 applicants may remain in the US for 30 days after the programme end date on form DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document). However, the local US Embassy may require you to return to your home country by the DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document)end date.
• Once an applicant has commenced their travel to the US neither the Company or the visa sponsor can amend the programme dates as listed on the DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) for any reason. It is the applicant’s responsibility to check prior to travel that the dates are correct.
• Individuals who have recently held a J-1 visa for the US may have to remain in their home country for a minimum of 90 days before your US Sponsor can issue a DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) for Work &Travel USA. Please contact us or US Embassy for details.
• The Applicant agrees to review J1online.ie to ensure job location and position with employer is not listed. the Company reserve the right to update this information at any time.
• You can’t be offered a job with employers who have experienced lay-offs within the last 120 days; no jobs with employees that are on strike or lock-out; Employment that does not allow for meaningful cultural exchange with Americans is not permitted. Relevant factors include the job duties, workplace, geographical location, work schedule, and hours per week. Prohibited Jobs and locations are available on www.j1online.ie.
• If the applicant does not have sufficient English skills and does not arrive on time and/or has misrepresented any statement in the application, the job offer may be revoked.
• The work authorisation document (DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document)) and visa issued on this programme allow the participant to work with their approved employer. Should you, the participant, leave the position without contacting and receiving approval from the US sponsor, then your US sponsorship on the programme will be withdrawn and you will be expected to leave the USA and return to Ireland as your visa is considered void.
• It is important to note that new regulations by the USA department of state mean that your return date from your J1 programme can be no later than the day before the first day of term for your college (this is not dependent on your course but the first day the college opens for student participation) or October 14th , 2023 – whichever is earlier.
• You must be travelling to the USA for a duration of at least 6 weeks. You will not be able to obtain a Social Security card if your departure from the USA is any less than 6 weeks meaning you will not be able to legally carry out any paid work.
• The latest you may enter the USA on the programme is July 31st.

Your visa sponsor

• The applicant understands that the Company use an approved visa sponsor that issues the DS-2019 and is responsible for the programme operation.
• The applicant understands that the visa sponsor is responsible for providing support services in the USA. If there are questions or applicant experiences problems during the programme, they are to reach out to the visa sponsor for help during business hours and the 24/7 number in case of an emergency.
• The applicant agrees to notify the visa sponsor if they complete their programme early and departs the US prior to the end date listed on their DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document).
• The applicant understands that the visa sponsor reserves the right to close the programme at short notice or to cancel the programme if a situation arises where this is necessary. If the visa sponsor cancels an application, no charge applies.
• Despite reasonable efforts made by the visa sponsor to provide for a positive programme experience, they cannot guarantee that the applicant will not experience problems or difficulties; these may be temporary or may require return to your home country. Such problems may include but are not limited to job loss, firing, programme termination, housing problems or Social Security related problems. The visa sponsor will make all reasonable efforts to assist, but they cannot guarantee a positive outcome.
• All participants are required to complete an orientation with the Company and the visa sponsor before they depart on their J1 Visa. This is a US Government mandatory requirement for the programme. Failure to complete the orientation before departure will result in the participant’s cancellation from the programme. Full cancellation fees will apply in these cases.
• Participants on the J1 programme are required to comply with all visa sponsor programme rules, as listed in these programme terms and conditions. If a participant violates any programme rules, the visa sponsor reserves the right to revoke their legal sponsorship, which will result in the withdrawal or termination of their programme.
• The applicant understands that they are required to create an online account where they must monitor communication with the visa sponsor, respond to surveys, and access important information. You are required to monitor your account weekly.
• The visa sponsor must provide SEVIS with the applicant’s current address, telephone number, and email and it must be updated each and every time this information changes. Failure to do so can lead to programme termination.
• The visa sponsor may issue DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) form if an applicant meets the Work & Travel USA programme requirements, but neither the visa sponsor or the Company can guarantee that the US Embassy or Consulate in an applicant’s country of residence will issue a J-1 visa. Neither the visa sponsor or the Company are responsible in the event that US Embassy refuses to issue a visa and full cancellation fees apply.

US Embassy Information

It is the responsibility of the participant to book, and pay for, their US embassy appointment. Whilst we will send participants their DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) and a visa instructions document, it is the sole responsibility of the participant to book and attend an interview at the US embassy. Any fees associated with booking the embassy appointment are paid for by the participant. Under no circumstances can we refund payments that were made directly to the US embassy.

The US Embassy will hold an applicant’s passport for a minimum of 5 working days for processing of Visa after Interview. It is at the discretion of the US Embassy to hold a passport and application for longer than the above minimum if extra processing is required Along with the US embassy and visa sponsor, we will not be held responsible for any delays, and subsequent fees incurred due to delays/ extra processing at the US Embassy Interview stage. Under no circumstances can a passport be requested back from the US Embassy quicker than the standard processing times laid out above.

Availability of visa appointments is at the discretion of the US embassy in the country you are applying from. The company does not guarantee your ability to apply for or attend a US embassy appointment.

While a job offer form may be approved by the visa sponsor, it still needs to be reviewed by the US Embassy. The US Embassy hold the right to reject any job offers even if they are approved by the visa sponsor. Participants must ensure they source housing close to their job site, or to ensure there is regular public transport to take you to and from work at all times (day and night). Finding accommodation in areas which restrict your ability to get to work on time is not a sufficient reason to request a change of employer and requests of this nature will be rejected by the visa sponsor.

DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document)

• Only one original physical copy of your DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) will be issued at any time by the Sponsor and this is the only valid version.
• If you lose or damage your DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) a new valid version must be issued by the Sponsor and you will be required to cover the costs of issuance and delivery.
• If you lose or damage your DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) please contact the Company at the earliest opportunity.
• Your DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) must be kept with your passport whilst in the USA.
• If you forget or lose your DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) you may be denied entry to the US or may invalidate your visa and be at risk of deportation. The company are not responsible if immigration deny entry or propose deportation due to insufficient documentation.
• You will be responsible for any additional costs incurred reissuing documentation.
• The Company does not keep a copy of your DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document), and you may be asked to present it during any future applications to visit or work in the USA.
• The Company aims to assist you with your arrival to America before your contract start date but is not responsible for delays caused by yourself, the US Embassy, the postal service or the courier company.

The Company is not responsible for any applications held for additional processing or refused by the US Embassy or any disrupted travel plans due to visa processing delays.

The Company is unable to provide refunds paid to the US Embassy under any circumstances.

6. Additional programme documentation and fees

To participate in the Work USA programme you will incur additional third-party fees which are outlined in section 2.

7. Flights

Flights are not included as part of the programme and you will be responsible for booking them. You should not arrange travel until you have a confirmed summer placement and have been issued a J1 visa. You must provide your booked travel information to the Company at least 72 hours before you intend to fly.

The applicant agrees that the company will not be held responsible for any costs incurred if a flight change needs to be made. Examples of this include, but not limited to, visa delays, placement cancellations or extra processing by the US embassy.

8. Insurance

Medical insurance is provided as part of the programme . Full information of your Insurance plan and the claims procedure will be provided to you once the policy is issued. The Company is not the insurance provider and is not liable for any claims, coverage updates or refunds related to the policy.

The Sponsor insurance policy includes exclusions for pre-existing medical conditions and any medication that you use regularly. Please ensure that you have read and understood the terms and conditions and exclusions included in your insurance policy in advance of your departure from your home country. The insurance policy may include an excess or deductible, which you will have to pay on any qualifying claims. If there are any items not covered by the policy, it is your responsibility to acquire any additional policies to protect you during your time in USA.

You should always carry the insurance card provided by the Sponsor in case treatment is needed in the USA.

Any injuries incurred whilst working at your work should be covered by the employer Workers Compensation Insurance Policy.

9. Job support

• For participants availing of job assistance, at the time of interview employers or interviewers may offer you the job on the spot. If you accept this job offer, even verbally, the job placement of this programme will be considered complete. Any cancellations after this will fall under the standard cancellation terms listed in section 4. If you later decide to refuse this job offer, prior to your departure to the USA then you will have the opportunity to apply for another position. However, due to the nature of the programme and the processing time to have your job vetted and visa approved, we cannot guarantee that you will be able to fly out by a specific date. Should you wish to withdraw your application instead of finding a different job, the above cancellation terms will apply.
• For participants availing of job assistance, we do not guarantee any job locations in the USA. We will make available to all participants who avail of job assistance a job interview with an American employer but make no guarantee that you will receive an interview, or job, in your preferred location.
• Please also note, by signing up to a J1 job interview through your online account, there is no guarantee that you will be hired. Hiring is at the sole discretion of the employer.
• It is up to each participant who has availed of job assistance to apply for an interview for their American job through the employer database released to them once their application materials have been received by and fully processed by the J1 programme team. We do not allocate interviews to participants, you must sign up for an interview yourself. All job interviews listed on the jobs database are offered on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Please be aware that neither the programme sponsor or the Company are responsible for the contract of employment between the participant and your American employer regardless of whether the participant sourced the position directly or through assistance provided by us or the visa sponsor. This also extends to any issues between the employer and participant that may develop. Participants are advised to contact their vias sponsor should they require any assistance with resolving any employment issue.
• In the case where a participant fails to show up for any interview registered for and facilitated through the Company there will be no refund of any monies paid towards the J1 programme
• For jobs sourced through the Company or the visa sponsor, due to weather conditions, or other factors beyond eithers control, some jobs have uncertain start dates and hours of work, and employment may become unavailable. The participant must be able to support themself in the US until they get their first pay-check, and/ or in the event of reduced working hours and must have at least $800 upon arrival in the US. For jobs sourced through the Company or the visa sponsor, neither organization are responsible for the participant’s expenses incurred if for any reason the participant has not started work by the agreed date due to weather conditions or delays in obtaining Social Security numbers at their place of employment or for any other reason not under our direct control.
• If a sourced job position is no longer available, through no fault of the participant’s own, after a signed JOF has been issued to the participant, or if for any reason we deem it necessary to relocate a participant from a sourced job either before the job commences or at any time during the job period, we will assist the participant in finding another position, but we make no guarantee with respect to being able to do so. Nor do we make any representation that we will be able to find work for the participant in the same geographical area or the same type of work or pay as the original sourced job.

10. Your work USA placement

Your placement obligations

• All travel before, during and after the Programme is at the applicant’s own risk. Any applicant who chooses to operate motorized vehicles is responsible for obtaining the necessary license, permission and insurance and does so at their own risk.

Pre-placement

• Participants on the Work & Travel USA programme are required to maintain communication with their employer prior to arrival, notify them in advance of their arrival and departure dates, and advise them of any changes to their travel itinerary due to visa delays or any unforeseen circumstances
• The applicant understands that when accepting a job with an employer, they agree to do their best, abide by the terms of the job offer, to comply with the employer’s rules and company policies
• Under no circumstances are jobs guaranteed. Even for jobs sourced through us or your visa sponsor, under no circumstances are job positions guaranteed. Even in the case when an employer represents that a job is being held, this does not constitute a binding contract that the job will be available when the applicant arrives. The employer’s commitment is one of good faith only.
• Participants should not accept a position if they cannot commit to the specified time period requirements of the employer.
• It is the participant's responsibility to ensure they check the details of the contract of employment, to research availability of suitable housing in the location of work and ensure they are satisfied with all conditions outlined in the employment contract. the Company are not liable for any issues that may arise on matters deemed to be the responsibility of the participant.
• All applicants to the J1 programme must provide details to us of their accommodation address in the USA prior to departure from Ireland. This may be updated anytime in your online account. if you do not have accommodation, please check www.j1online.ie for advice
• The applicant will inform us immediately if their planned date of entry to the US changes forwards or backwards. A change in your arrival date may require a change in the DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document); if applicable, the applicant agrees to pay the DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) replacement & reissue fees involved.

During your placement

• The participant understands that neither the Company or the visa sponsor are to be held responsible for any difficulties with participants receiving their Social Security Numbers/Cards, and any expenses incurred due to delays arising from the above.
• If, during the programme, the participant encounters any difficulties with Social Security, safety, health, the job, housing, including charges or fees for housing, sanitary conditions, overcrowding, etc. or any other problem, the participant must notify the visa sponsor as soon as possible.

Committing a crime

• Participants on Work & Travel USA are required to comply with all US laws while inside the United States. If a participant violates any US law, the visa sponsor reserves the right to revoke their legal sponsorship, which will result in the withdrawal or termination of their programme. A terminated participant also loses their legal right to remain in the US Employment or Job-Related Conditions
• The applicant understands that they are subject to all US local, state and federal law and agree to abide by them. They are aware that stealing/shoplifting is a serious offence that can and does lead to possible jail time. The visa sponsor will provide advice and support if arrested, but all legal fees are the applicant’s responsibility.
• The applicant agrees that if during your application you commit any criminal or DUI offence to contact your J1 team immediately as it can lead to your J1 Summer work and travel to be cancelled.

Your behaviour

• The applicant must agree to behave ethically and responsibly while in the USA. They understand that their DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) and insurance can be cancelled at the discretion of the visa sponsor if they behave in a way that is in violation of the programme rules or can be deemed unethical.
• All programme participants agree to abide by the programme conditions, including financial requirements, and to return to Ireland at the end of the programme. Furthermore, the participant recognizes the importance of sharing their cultural experience with their home country.
• The applicant is responsible for reading and carefully considering all materials made available that relate to safety, health, legal, environmental, political, cultural and religious customs and conditions in the US. Each applicant must take full responsibility in the event that laws, regulations, or customs are broken, regardless of foreknowledge.
• The participant understands that they are expected to actively participate in American Cultural Activities during the programme. The participant agrees to make a good faith effort to seek out and participate in American Cultural activities and to interact with American Citizens. The visa sponsor will provide access to online learning and information about life in the U.S. Depending on timing and location. They will also provide opportunities to attend Connect USA events. The participant understands that complete information about cultural exchange opportunities will be made available at a later date.
• The applicant is responsible for all their acts along with any loss or damage resulting therefrom while on the programme. The applicant agrees to indemnify and hold harmless The Company & the Visa sponsor, its officers, shareholders, affiliates and employees from and against any claims, causes of action and liability for any financial or other loss, damage, personal injury, illness or death suffered or incurred by the applicant, whether based on tort, breach of contract or any other theory. In addition, the participant agrees to release and hold harmless the Company and the visa sponsor from its own negligence.

Termination/withdrawal from the programme

• Withdrawal from the programme means that the visa sponsor will withdraw your sponsorship and you will no longer be permitted to work in the US, however you will be allowed to stay in the US for your 30-day travel period. This 30-day period will begin from the date your sponsorship is withdrawn.
• Termination from the programme means that the visa sponsor will withdraw your sponsorship and you will no longer be permitted to work in the US, and you will NOT be allowed to stay in the US for your 30-day travel period. You will have to leave the US immediately
• Any Work & Travel USA applicant who is withdrawn or terminated from the programme will be required to return home at their own expense. A terminated applicant also loses their legal right to remain in the US. Termination may negatively impact the applicant’s ability to obtain future US visas.
• If an applicant is Withdrawn or Terminated from the programme for violation of any programme rules, they will not be permitted to participate on any programme in the future that requires sponsorship from the visa sponsor

Visa requirements

• Participants on Work & Travel USA are required to comply with all US Government visa and immigration requirements including the SEVIS tracking as follows: a) notification of arrival in the US to your visa sponsor within 10 days of DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document)programme start date; b) providing a valid address, email address, and phone number upon arrival at US employer c) notification to the visa sponsor of any change in US home address, phone number, and/or email address within 10 days of change. Failure to comply with these requirements will result in the participant’s J-1 Visa programme being terminated.
• The participant understands that they are to complete monthly surveys while in America. The U.S. Department of State requires that all Summer Work & Travel Visa Sponsors have contact with all participants every 30 Days. In response to this requirement, the visa sponsor will reach out to participants every 30 days while participants are on their programme. The participant’s must respond to these communications and complete any survey/phone call that is arranged. Your due date will be based on your initial SEVIS registration date. Participants that do not comply with the monthly check-ins may face termination of their programme
• Participation on the Programme begins when the applicant legally enters the US and, subject to this contract, terminates on the day of departure from the US (within the legal Programme dates). Participation on the Programme will end a maximum of 5 months from arrival in the US (15th September is the last day that any student participating on the programme can work). Participants can arrive up to a maximum of 5 days prior to their DS programme start date and remain in the US up to 30 days beyond their DS programme ‘end dates’, as long as their total stay in the US does not exceed 5 months.

Your Obligation to your employer/changing employment

• All employment, including second jobs, must be vetted and approved by the visa sponsor prior to work commencing. The applicant understands that the visa sponsor will contact their prospective employer to verify employment details. Your visa sponsor reserves the right to deny any job according to the current and/or anticipated rules, regulations, and intent of the J-1 Exchange Visitor programme. All jobs must be seasonal in nature and not displace year-round American workers. Employment that does not allow for meaningful cultural exchange with Americans is not permitted. From time to time the list of prohibited jobs is updated. More information is available on www.j1online.ie
• If the participant does not meet their contractual obligations to the employer or the visa sponsors rules regarding employment obligations (e.g. not receiving approval to change/leave job or not give 2 weeks’ notice to employer if leaving job etc.), the visa sponsor may at its sole discretion withdraw or terminate sponsorship of the participant.
• Participants must work for the employer listed on their Job Offer Form (JOF). If, for any reason, a change of employer becomes necessary, applicants must contact the visa sponsor and obtain written approval BEFORE changing jobs. If an applicant leaves their employment without the prior written approval of the visa sponsor, or engages in employment without prior approval, the visa sponsor reserves the right to revoke their legal sponsorship, which will result in the termination of their programme and their legal right to remain in the US.
• In the case of a change of job or of premature termination of job, or if the employment is terminated before the end of the programme for any reason, or if the applicant decides to return home early, no fees will be refunded.
• If a participant is fired from their job for violation of employer policies, including, but not limited to, their failure of a company-required drug test at the commencement of or anytime during employment, they may be withdrawn from the programme with no refund of the programme or job service fees.
• If the participant’s original job ends before the legal working dates listed on the DS-2019 (visa sponsorship document) for any reason, it is the participant’s responsibility to inform the visa sponsors US office and get approval for any new job.
• if the participant wishes to leave their employer, they must contact their visa sponsor to explain why they want to change jobs and seek approval for a `change of employer' before they can switch employers. if approval is granted, they must work a minimum notice period of 2 weeks from date of approval before finishing with their current employer.

Housing Conditions

• Neither the visa sponsor nor the Company provides housing. If an employer does offer housing it is usually on a first-come, first-served basis. The applicant must notify the visa sponsor if they have any concerns regarding the safety and/or suitability of the housing provided by their employer. If the applicant arranges housing independently, they agree to use their best judgment in securing housing that is safe and suitable. Housing arrangements that involve overcrowding and/ or hot-bunking (multiple individuals using one bed and sleeping in shifts) are prohibited. Whether the applicant arranges housing independently or through the employer the applicant will be required to sign a lease and pay a deposit, which usually amounts to the first and last month’s rent and may include an additional security deposit. If the applicant has any doubt about the suitability of their housing, they must notify the visa sponsor immediately.
• The visa sponsor strongly recommends all applicants should have a rental agreement with a landlord, which includes information about weekly or monthly rent, security deposit, utilities, process for returning the security deposit, and all other important details.
• Any property damage is applicant’s sole responsibility and must communicate directly with their landlord to pay for such damage pursuant to the rental agreement.
• If you intend to work in California, you will be required to provide proof of accommodation as well as a confirmed job offer in order to be allowed to travel to California on your J1 Visa Programme
• The US Department of state has seen an uptake in housing and rental scams where J1 visitors transfer money before they start their programme to a fraudulent realtor or landlord, scamming the victims out of hundreds if not thousands of dollars. Other reported scams involve phone calls from alleged government representatives demanding personal information and money with threats of deportation from the U.S. Please keep this in mind when reviewing housing assistance. If you became a victim of any kind of scam, please communicate this to the visa sponsor and complete an incident report and send it to the Department at SWTsponsors@state.gov.
• If, during the course of the programme, the participant is evicted from housing, or is warned in writing that they are at risk of eviction, as a result of participant’s behaviour, partying, excessive noise, overcrowding, or other housing violation we will consider this a violation of the programme rules. The visa sponsor reserves the right to revoke their legal sponsorship, which will result in the withdrawal or termination of their programme.
• If the visa sponsor deems, in its sole discretion, or if it is advised by the State Department that an applicant’s housing and/ or work placement is unsafe or unsuitable, the applicant agrees to cooperate fully with the visa sponsor and us to relocate to new housing and/or work placement without delay.

11. Declaration

Any dispute or claim against the sponsor will be subject to the sponsor agreement, and may be exclusively arbitrated in a specific location within the USA. I know of no reason why I may be refused a visa (e.g. have been arrested or convicted of a crime; have applied to migrate to the US; previously experienced US visa/immigration problems; or have overstayed on a previous visit). If I suspect that I may have problems, I will disclose these reasons in writing to the J1 team. If a visa is refused for reasons previously undisclosed, no refund will be given.