Work and Travel USA - 2027 Pricing

How much does Work and Travel USA cost?

For both programme options you pay the Czech-us participation fee and the programme fee to the American visa sponsor. For the Lifeguard option, you also need to complete a lifeguard course.

Quick overview

* The standard course for first-time participants costs 12,000 CZK, certificate renewal costs 8,000 CZK. Details below.
** With VIP employers you can save up to 1,285 USD on the Lifeguard position, depending on the start date.

Check out current jobs

1. Participation fee

Applies to both the Lifeguard and Other Jobs options.

* administrative fee + 1,000 CZK for students with citizenship outside the EU

Returning to Work and Travel USA?

For second-time participants, a discounted participation fee of 5,000 CZK applies if the contract is signed by January 31, 2027. After that, the standard participation fee applies based on the contract signing date.

What does the participation fee include?

• enrollment in the Work and Travel USA programme
• help with choosing a job position
• support during the selection process and the interview with the employer
• assistance with the administration related to the DS-2019 form
• assistance with scheduling and preparing for the interview at the US Embassy
• pre-departure orientation
• Czech-us support during your stay in the USA
• information about US taxes

2. Programme fee

The programme fee is paid to the American visa sponsor, who arranges your participation in the Summer Work Travel programme on a J-1 visa.

A SEVIS fee of 35 USD is paid in addition to the programme fee.

What does the programme fee include?

• issuance of the DS-2019 form, which you need to obtain a J-1 visa and to legally work in the USA
• health insurance for the duration of the work dates on the DS-2019
• pre-departure orientation from the visa sponsor
• the visa sponsor’s assistance service during your stay in the USA

VIP employers = significantly lower costs

With selected employers you can get a financial contribution toward the programme costs. Depending on the specific job and start date, the employer may cover part or even all of the programme fee.

So when choosing, don’t look only at the hourly wage. In our catalog you’ll also see the benefits and contributions of individual employers.

Browse jobs and benefits

3. Lifeguard course

If you want to work as a lifeguard, you need an American Red Cross license. You don’t need any prior experience – we’ll prepare you and teach you everything you need on the course.

With selected VIP employers you can also get a retroactive contribution toward the course costs.

What else needs to be factored in?

In addition to the fees listed above, also factor in other costs related to travel and staying in the USA:

• US Embassy visa fee of 185 USD + possible document delivery costs
• round-trip flight ticket
• possible health insurance for the period outside the work dates listed on the DS-2019
• optional cancellation insurance
• accommodation and possible deposit depending on the specific employer
• pocket money for the first weeks in the USA

The amount of these costs is not part of the programme price and varies mainly depending on the USD exchange rate, employer, location, flight date, and length of stay.

Don’t have the full amount up front? Let’s solve that

Work and Travel is an investment, but we don’t want finances to close the door to Work and Travel for you.

That’s why, for students who are working out how to finance the programme, we can offer an interest-free loan after individual assessment.

On top of that, you can save significantly by choosing a VIP employer and earn extra money by referring friends.

I want to go on Work and Travel USA

Get a referral bonus

The referred student must state your first and last name when registering. The maximum number of referred students is 10.