Welcome to the PCT USA FAQ page
We hope that you will find this useful, as it covers most of the questions
asked beforeand during the process of applying for an Internhsip USA
Programme.
We also know that there are sometimes questions that need a specific
answer, so if you can't find what you're looking for here, please email
us at info@istplus.com, and we'll get back to you as quickly as we can!
Thank you!
How much does it cost?
The cost of your PCT USA Programme depends on how
long you plan to be in the US. Remember, the fee
relates to how long you are actually IN the US, not
just the time spent on the actual Internship. As a
result, most people applying for a 12 month
internship actually find they want to be in the US
for up to 13 months (including travel and tourism
time after their programme. You can us our FEE
CALCUALTOR to work out how much you should pay
How long does it take to process my application?
For an application that is complete, we would
normally hope to be able to get the documentation
neccesary for the J1 visa interview in 4-6 weeks
(subject to approval of the programme and usual
checks in the US). If your Host company
requires a SITE VISIT under the new regulations,
this can add up to 4 weeks to the process.
Can I get a J1 by myself?
No - the US Government requires tyou to go through
a legal sponsor in order to apply for the DS2019
CERTIFICATE OF ELIGIBILITY. Youu need this document
in order to apply for, and attend a interview at
the US Embassy.
Is Medical Insurance included in the fees?
YES! Medical and liability insurance are part of
the fees - all CIEE participants are covered by
their policy. Full information on this can be found
at www.ciee.org/insurance
What is SEVIS?
SEVIS stands for STUDENT AND EXCHANGE VISITOR
INFORMATION SYSTEM. Introduced in 2003, all
participants on the J1 programme must be registered
in this as part of the application procedure. We
pay these fees for you.
Once you have arrived in the US, you will need to register in teh system, and if you move while in America, you will need to update your record.
Once you have arrived in the US, you will need to register in teh system, and if you move while in America, you will need to update your record.
Can I take a part time job?
No. The US Government only allows you to undertake
any activities at the company for which you have
been authorised to enter the US. Any other work is
illegal, and could result in you being deported!
What happens if I don't like my Host Company
The first thing to do if you have any problems in
the US is to call CIEE - they will do everything
they can to help. You can call them TOLL FREE from
anywhere in the US on 1-888-268-6245
Remember - you can only move hosdt companies in extenuating circumstances, so always contact CIEE before you make any snap decisions, as it could jeopardise your programme!
Remember - you can only move hosdt companies in extenuating circumstances, so always contact CIEE before you make any snap decisions, as it could jeopardise your programme!
Do I have to pay TAX
Unfortunately YES!
There are certain taxes you must pay, and some you do not need to. You may well be able to claim a proportion of these back at the end of each year - just like a rebate in the UK. You can get more information on this from the CIEE website
There are certain taxes you must pay, and some you do not need to. You may well be able to claim a proportion of these back at the end of each year - just like a rebate in the UK. You can get more information on this from the CIEE website
Can I come in and out of the US
You can travel outside tthe US whilst on a
programme, but you need to get the permission of
CIEE to do this. You will normally have to mail
your DS2019 back to their offices to get a
signature from an authorised person, and a "letter
of good standing" to show the immigration officers
when you re-enter the USA.
Try to plan ahead, and allow time for this. If in doubt, you can always call CIEE TOLL FREE 1-888-268-6245
In an EMERGENCY, you can leave the US without this authority, but you must inform IST Plus and CIEE as soon as is reasonable possible so we can help you!
Try to plan ahead, and allow time for this. If in doubt, you can always call CIEE TOLL FREE 1-888-268-6245
In an EMERGENCY, you can leave the US without this authority, but you must inform IST Plus and CIEE as soon as is reasonable possible so we can help you!
What happens if my application is refused sponsorship?
This happens very rarely, and we do everything we
can to help you and your Host Company in the
process. If however we are unable to offer the
required sponsorship, you will receive a refund of
your fees minus £75
I've changed my mind and dont want to go!
If this is the case, there is a minimum £250 pounds
non-refundable portion of your application to cover
the costs and expense of processing your
application, US Governmental fees etc. If your
original dparture date has passed, the minimum
non-refundable fee will be £420
Do I get a refund if I leave the USA early?
Unfortuanately not! Once you have departed for the
US there are no refunds under any circumstances.
Does the insurance cover expensive items?
In order to keep the cost of the programme as low
as we can for all participants, ther is limited
cover on individual items (please see
www.ciee.org/insurance). If you have items that are
very valuable that you would like to take to the US
with you, you may want to purchase separate cover
for these yourself.
Can I stay in the US more than 30 days after my end date?
Unfortunately not. The US government only allows
you to stay a MAXIMUM 30 days after your actual
Internship or Traineeship ends (as per the dates on
your DS2019).
REMEMBER, if you want the extra time at the end of your programme, you MUST apply for this when you send your application to us. We will not be able to extend your time in the US for the purposes of travel and tourism once you are in America
REMEMBER, if you want the extra time at the end of your programme, you MUST apply for this when you send your application to us. We will not be able to extend your time in the US for the purposes of travel and tourism once you are in America
Where do I find the Documents for my US Host company
The documentation that your US Host Company will
need to complete for you is available from CIEE's
Host company website www.ciee.org/trainee/newhc. If
they have any questions regarding completing this,
please ask them to contact CIEE directly at
1-888-369-1620, or email trainee@ciee.org.
Once they have completed this form, they will need to send it to you, and you can then submit this with your own application. REMEMBER WE ARE UNABLE TO START THE PROCESS FOR YOU WITHOUT THIS!
Once they have completed this form, they will need to send it to you, and you can then submit this with your own application. REMEMBER WE ARE UNABLE TO START THE PROCESS FOR YOU WITHOUT THIS!