The agreement below stipulates all terms and conditions between the participant and May’Fos Work and Travel. These policies are mandatory when conducting business with us and it goes as follows:
• The applicant agrees the information provided is true to the best of his/her knowledge and acknowledges any false or misleading information may lead to the immediate dismissal from the program.
• The aim of the Summer Work & Travel Program is to provide social and professional development for qualified students. The participant understands we are NOT an employment agency as our goal is promote cultural exchange through the programs offered. In support of this mission, candidates are expected to actively participate in American cultural activities while in the U.S.
• The program permits full-time college/university students to work and travel in the U.S for a period of 3-4 months.
• The jobs available may not be related to your course of study or desired profession.
• Candidates must hold a valid Jamaican passport with at least one year grace period from the start and end date established on the Ds-2019 form.
• The job is ONLY secured once the full program fee is paid.
• Before an interview can be conducted with the sponsor, a deposit of a $1000 USD is required.
• Applications after the designated deadline outlined by May’Fos will attract an additional service fee of $50 USD- this is considered as late registration. The same rule applies should the participant miss any of the assigned deadlines for the program fee.
• Each participant is expected to pay for their own housing, SEVIS, embassy fee, airfare and other transportation expenses associated with the program. The embassy and SEVIS fee are non-refundable once purchased.
• Candidates are required to participate in a pre-departure orientation before departure to the U.S.
• Placement at a host/employer is final. Neither the sponsor or the agency is required to provide a second job or facilitate another placement if for any reason the job does not workout. Providing alternate placement is based on the agency’s discretion. If the reasoning behind relocation is practical and the agency is capable of facilitating this request, the participant is responsible for the cost associated with relocation. Please note, the relocation fee varies per sponsor and is separate from the transportation cost if applicable.
• Second jobs must be vetted by the sponsor before you can begin working. Failure to comply may impact your chances of participating on the program next season, and the sponsor may decide to terminate your status in SEVIS.
• Should you encounter difficulties with social security, housing, jobs, sanitation, or any other problems, you must notify the agency or sponsor.
• Insurance is mandatory and included in the program fee for participants sponsored by CIEE Inc, and American Journey Cultural Exchange. Only 90 days of insurance is covered by the agency for those sponsored by United Studies Inc. Any coverage beyond this point will attract an additional cost to the participant. He/She can opt to cover the fee for the rest of days they’ll be in the U.S, or end program at the 90 days covered by May’Fos. In extension, the terms of the policy is outlined by the insurance company.
• Once the DS-2019 is in my possession, if misplaced or lost, the applicant will be responsible for covering cost associated with replacement. The replacement fee is charged by the sponsoring organization and varies per sponsor.
• The participant understands although placed on a job, paid all my fees, this does not guarantee entry to the United States. The US Embassy or any of its counterparts has the authority to deny, or approve the issuance of visa or entry clearance to the U.S. If visa is denied, it is my responsibility to obtain the necessary denial notice from the consulate along with the Ds-2019 form and submit to May’Fos Work & Travel within 5 business days. Failure to follow this procedure may result in our inability to provide a refund.
• Participants on the Summer Work & Travel program are required to comply with all US Government VISA and Immigration requirements, including the SEVIS tracking as follows:
- Complete arrival check-in within 24 hours upon entering the U.S.
- Notify the sponsor of any changes with employer or home address within five days.
- Complete the check-in survey sent by the sponsor each month. This allows your status to remain active in sevis.
MANDATORY SPENDING MONEY – Minimum $1000 USD
• It is recommended that each participant have a minimum of $1000 USD upon entering the U.S to cover expenses such as housing deposit, transportation, and food prior to receiving your first pay cheque.
MISCELLANEOUS FEES– These fees are charged by the Program Sponsor and may apply to some individuals based on the sponsoring organization you are placed with:
- Special Request attracts an additional service fee of $100 USD for each participant. This takes into consideration placement in a particular state, group placement (colleagues placed with each other), or placement with a particular employer.
- Relocation Fee Expense – If you are unhappy for whatsoever reason with your placement location and require relocation, then you must have enough funds to relocate which could be in another state. Relocation is considered on a case-by-case basis and attracts a fee of $350 USD.
- Embassy Fee $185 USD- Fee charged by the consulate for visa application processing. This fee is non-refundable once application is processed, and is subjected to change without notice.
- SEVIS Fee $35 USD- This fee is non-refundable once application is processed.
Overall Program Fee USD
American Journey Cultural Exchange $1990 USD
United Studies Inc $1990 USD
CIEE, Inc $1990 USD
Deductible Fees for Service Rendered
• Not placed in a job nor did an interview $250 USD
• Applications cancelled or declined on the sponsors portal prior to job placement or sponsor interview $500 USD- applicable to USSE & CIEE Participants. The sum of $350 USD will be retained for AHA candidates.
• A cancellation fee of $500 USD for GPA results below 2.0 prior to job placement or sponsor interview. If an unsatisfactory GPA is provided after job placement is done or successfully completing an interview with the sponsor, the sum of $700 USD will be deducted.
• United Studies Inc. does not provide job placement; hence, a third party is used to facilitate placement which attracts a fee of $200 USD. This is fee non-refundable once job placement is confirmed and is separate from the general refund terms.
SWT Refund Agreement- American Journey Cultural Exchange Participants
• The participant acknowledges the registration and administrative fee of $50 USD is nonrefundable.
• Cancellation after host offer of training: If an application is withdrawn/canceled from the program due to any reason after the employer extends a job offer, the sum of $1000 USD will be deducted from the program fee or deposited amount.
• If visa is denied, the participant will be refunded the difference of $1000 USD less from the program fee, provided that the original Ds-form and visa denial slip is returned to our office within 5 business days.
• Failure to pass the sponsor’s interview session, a sum of $350 USD will be deducted from the program fee.
• Should the participant decide to cancel the program after documents are received and application has moved “To be Placed” on the sponsor’s portal, the sum of $400 USD will be retained from the program fee or deposited amount. This includes fee charged by the sponsor $200 USD and $200 USD by May’Fos.
• Cancellation after host interview Invite: If an application is withdrawn/cancelled from the program due to any reason after a confirmed host interview invite, the sum of $700 USD will be retained from the program fee or deposited amount. This includes fee charged by the sponsor $350 USD, and the difference from the agency.
• In the event of a pandemic outbreak, program suspension and or cancellation by the U.S Department of State, closure or service disruption at the U.S Consulate, the sponsoring organization and the agency will retain all fees applicable by law. Also, this applies to natural disasters, amendment to government policies, and societal unrest. Below is the refund based on each sponsor:
- American Hospitality Academy $1000 USD
• NO REFUND of any fees will be made once the applicant has arrived in the United States.
• NO REFUND will be granted if the applicant fails to adhere to policies of the company or others of the J-1 program.
• NO REFUND will be granted if the applicant cancels the program while Ds-2019 form is being drafted or issued by the sponsor. No exception will be made for any reason not limited to illness, death of the applicant or family member, or even the dislike of the host property.
• NO REFUND – Visa denied due to incorrect information, or forged document supplied by applicant.
• A Bank Service Fee of $25 USD is applicable for all cheque refunds. In addendum, the agency will not be held responsible to cover any service fee charged by the participant banking institution for the lodgement of USD currency to their account. Currently, all banks charge a 2% handling fee for cash deposits over $500 USD.
• Refunds will be made 30 business days after cancellation or visa denials.
SWT Refund Agreement- USSE Participants
The participant acknowledges the registration and administrative fee of $50 USD is nonrefundable.
• Cancellation after host offer of training: If an application is withdrawn/canceled from the program due to any reason after the employer extends a job offer, the sum of $1000 USD will be deducted from the program fee or deposited amount.
• If visa is denied, the the sum of $1000 USD will be retained and the difference refunded to the participant. The deduction includes the non-refundable job placement fee of $200 USD which was highlighted in the deductible clause.
• Should the participant decide to cancel the program after documents are received and submitted to United Studies Inc., the sum of $500 USD will be deducted from the program fee or deposited amount.
• Cancellation after host/employer interview Invite: If an application is withdrawn/cancelled from the program due to any reason after a confirmed host interview invite, the sum of $700 USD will be retained from the program fee or deposited amount. This includes fee charged by the sponsor $500 USD, and the difference from the agency.
• In the event of a pandemic outbreak, program suspension and or cancellation by the U.S Department of State, closure or service disruption at the U.S Consulate, the sponsoring organization and the agency will retain all fees applicable by law. This also applies to natural disasters, amendment to government policies, and societal unrest. Below is the refund based on each sponsor:
- United Studies Inc. $952 USD
• NO REFUND of any fees will be made once the applicant has arrived in the United States.
• NO REFUND will be granted if the applicant fails to adhere to policies of the company or others of the J-1 program.
• NO REFUND will be granted if the applicant cancels the program while Ds-2019 form is being drafted or issued by the sponsor. No exception will be made for any reason not limited to illness, death of the applicant or family member, or even the dislike of the host property.
• NO REFUND – Visa denied due to incorrect information, or forged document supplied by applicant.
• A Bank Service Fee of $25 USD is applicable for all cheque refunds. In addendum, the agency will not be held responsible to cover any service fee charged by the participant banking institution for the lodgement of USD currency to their account. Currently, all banks charge a 2% handling fee for cash deposited over $500 USD.
• Refunds will be made 30 business days after cancellation or visa denials.
SWT Refund Agreement- CIEE Participants
• The participant acknowledges the registration and administrative fee of $50 USD is nonrefundable.
• Cancellation after host offer of training: If an application is withdrawn/cancelled from the program due to any reason after the employer extends a job offer, the sum of $1000 USD will be deducted from the program fee or deposited amount.
• If visa is denied, the participant will be refunded the difference of $1000 USD less from the program fee, provided that the original Ds-form and visa denial slip is returned to our office within 5 business days.
• Should the participant decide to cancel the program after documents are received, the sum of $500 USD will be deducted from the program fee or deposited amount.
• Cancellation by the participant post the uploading of their application onto the sponsor’s portal, the sum of $500 USD will be deducted from the program fee or deposited amount.
• Cancellation after host/employer interview Invite: If an application is withdrawn/canceled from the program due to any reason after a confirmed host interview invite, the sum of $700 USD will be retained from the program fee or deposited amount.
• In the event of a pandemic outbreak, program suspended and or cancelled by the state department, closure of the US Consulate as a result of such occurrences, the sponsoring organization and the agency will retain all fee applicable by law. This also applies to natural disasters, amendments to government policies, and societal unrest. Below is the refund based on each sponsor:
- CIEE Inc. $1000 USD
• NO REFUND of any fees will be made once the applicant has arrived in the United States.
• NO REFUND will be granted if the applicant fails to adhere to policies of the company or others of the J-1 program.
• NO REFUND will be granted if the applicant cancels the program while Ds-2019 form is being drafted or issued by the sponsor. No exception will be made for any reason not limited to illness, death of the applicant or family member, or even the dislike of the host property.
• NO REFUND – Visa denied due to incorrect information, or forged document supplied by applicant.
• A Bank Service Fee of $25 USD is applicable for all cheque refunds. In addendum, the agency will not be held responsible to cover any service fee charged by the participant banking institution for the lodgement of USD currency to their account. Currently, all banks charge a 2% handling fee for cash deposited over $500 USD.
• Refunds will be made 30 business days after cancellation or visa denials.
