FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
2009 SEASON
Q. Who can apply for the program?
A. Students enrolled full-time at an accredited university. A three-year university is acceptable as long as it is accredited. SWT is a program for university students; therefore, only people who are students or who have just finished their studies can participate.
Q. Are the students enrolled in (2 year) Master's program eligible to participate in SWT?
A. Yes, but again every applicant must be a bona fide student enrolled in a full-time course of post-secondary study and pursuing a degree from an accredited educational institution.
Q. What about Moldovan students studying in Romania?
A. All foreign students studying in Romania may apply at the U.S. Embassy in Bucharest. Foreign students in Moldovan universities, including in Transnistria, may apply at the U.S> Embassy in Chisinau.
Q. How does a student qualify for the SWT program?
A. In addition to good academic standing and English ability, SWT applicants must demonstrate that their situation is such that they will not remain in the United States at the end of their SWT program. Consular officers may ask about a student’s family or financial situation as part of the visa interview.
Q. When can recruiting companies start scheduling interviews for SWT?
A. Local recruiters can begin scheduling interviews as soon as they have completed forms DS-2019 ("Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status"). Appointments for visa interviews will be available on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting February 17.
Q. How do local recruiters schedule appointments for their applicants?
A. When recruiters receive the DS-2019 for applicants, they should send an email to Chisinau-CA-SWT@state.gov.
Q. What should I do if I need to reschedule appointments?
A. Please inform us immediately by email at Chisinau-CA-SWT@state.gov.
Q. What should applicants bring to the interview?
A. DS-156 (must be filled out and printed at https://evisaforms.state.gov/ds156.asp
DS-157 (for male applicants only)
DS-158
SEVIS receipt (for information and instructions, go to www.fmjfee.com)
For final year students, any documentation that would show a reason to return to Moldova upon the completion of the SWT season. This could include job offers, evidence of onward enrollment in a master’s program, etc.
Q. What do I do if the DS-2019 or SEVIS form has a mistake?
A. If the mistake is minor, such as a slight misspelling of the name or it doesn’t include the student’s middle name, you do NOT need to get a corrected form. However, we recommend that the student correct the mistake with their American sponsor to avoid any problems with his social security card. If the start date on the DS 2019 is before May 16 15 and the end date after September 12, that mistake MUST BE CORRECTED before the student’s visa can be issued.
Q. What is the new form DS-7002? Is it required for the Summer Work and Travel program?
A. The DS-7002 form is for exchange visitor (J-1 visa) programs that require a training plan, specifically internships and formal training programs. The Form DS-7002 is NOT required for the Summer Work and Travel program.
Q. Can students who are refused a visa re-apply in the same SWT season?
A. Yes, but students who have been previously refused for the same SWT season must wait until all first-time applicants have had visa interviews before we will schedule another appointment. Previously denied students who show up for a second interview before all other program participants have had the opportunity for a visa interview will be sent away and told to reschedule their appointment.
Q. How do we pick up the passports for students who obtain a visa?
A. Passports with visas should normally be ready for pick-up two business days after visa interviews. Recruiting companies will be required to pick up their participants' passports at the U.S. Embassy.
Q. How long can SWT program participants work and travel in the United States?
A. SWT program regulations limit participation in the program to four months. Program participants should not enter the United States before May 16, 2009 and should return to Moldova and be in class at their universities no later than September 14, 2009.
Q. But isn’t there a grace period that allows J-1 visa holders to travel in the United States up to 30 days beyond the end date on the DS-2019 form?
A. The end date on the DS-2019 form is the last day a person can WORK in the United States. To ensure that the SWT program does not interfere with Romanian university classes and that students do not work past the authorized date, we ask all SWT students to be back by September 14. We take this very seriously and students who remain in the U.S. beyond September 14 may have a difficult time obtaining another visa in the future, even if they do not exceed their authorized stay.
Q. Where can I get details about the regulations for the SWT program?
A. For more information, please visit the following websites:
The State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
SWT Frequently Asked Questions
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Thursday:
9 A.M.- Noon
Make/Change an Appointment
The Consular Section
is closed on
Moldovan and U.S. holidays
For any visa-related question not answered on this website, please refer to the A-Z Subject Index. If you have other questions, please send an e-mail message to:
