Top 9 J-1 Work and Travel Questions Every Participant Asks

Participating in the BridgeUSA J-1 Work and Travel program is an exciting opportunity to experience life in the United States, gain professional skills, meet people from around the world, and explore American culture firsthand. However, while you are on your program, you will probably have a lot of questions. You are not alone!

Every year, participants ask many of the same J-1 Work and Travel questions during their program. From finding a 2nd job and understanding Social Security to paying taxes and using your DS-2019 form, knowing what to do can help you feel more confident during your program.

At Spirit Cultural Exchange, our team works closely with participants throughout their cultural exchange experience, and we have gathered some of the most common questions we hear each season. In this guide, we will answer nine of the top J-1 Work and Travel questions to help you navigate your program successfully and make the most of your time in the United States.

Follow the steps below to search for a 2nd job and how to get it approved by Spirit Cultural Exchange.

1. Look for a 2nd job in your community. You may want to apply at hotels, waterparks, amusement parks, or other tourist attractions. Some employers may not be approved because of program rules. Look at page 8 of the Participant Handbook in the Participant Support Center for more information.
2. Fill out the Independent Job Offer form in the Participant Support Center with your Host Employer and email it to your Spirit Cultural Exchange representative.
3. Submit a current business license and workers compensation certificate to Spirit Cultural Exchange, and the manager at the 2nd Host Employer must speak with a Spirit Cultural Exchange representative to answer a few questions.
4. Do not start your new job until you get a response from Spirit Cultural Exchange! We will contact you when your job offer is approved.
5. You should not apply for a second job until your program is validated and you have applied for your Social Security Number. Some new Host Employers will not hire you without a Social Security Number if they are not familiar with the program. However, if you show them your receipt from when you applied for your Social Security Number that may help.
6. Watch this video for more information on how to get a 2nd job.

You will need to bring the following documents to the Social Security office:

1. Passport
2. DS-2019 form (new and old if issued twice)
3. I-94 number
4. Social Security Administration letter from Spirit Cultural Exchange (check with your sending agency if you did not receive it)
5. Your job offer

It may take several weeks to get your Social Security card sent to you.

If you have been hired by a Host Employer and accepted your job offer, you will find your job offer in our Participant Support Center. Follow these steps to find your job offer:

1. Log in to our Participant Support Center
2. Click on the Employer Information and Job Offer button
3. Click on the link at the top of the page that says “Job Offer accepted download pdf”

If you have not been hired yet or you have not accepted your job offer yet, please contact your sending agency to determine the status of your application process.

Your health insurance card will be available approximately 2 days prior to your arrival in the United States. Please make sure you submit your travel information to the Participant Support Center, including your Flight Arrival Date. Follow these steps to access your card:

1. If this is a health emergency, please seek medical help or call 911.
2. Log into the Participant Support Center
3. Click on the Insurance button
4. You will see links to your insurance card, insurance information and to your insurance company’s online support center.
5. Download your insurance card from our Participant Support Center or from the Health Insurance Company’s Student Support Zone at www.envisageglobalinsurance.com/student-zone/spirit onto your phone and take a screenshot of both sides of the card (or print it and carry it with you!). You will need to use your medical insurance ID card when you see a doctor at the urgent care clinic or emergency room.
6. Watch this video (https://www.secutiveinsurance.com/bootcamp-USA.html) for more information about your health insurance.
7. If you have been injured or have a health concern, please contact your Spirit Cultural Exchange representative.

It is important to submit your correct departure date to ensure that you will have health insurance until you leave. You can update your departure date in two ways:

• Log in to our Participant Support Center and click on the “Submit Flight, Visa and Housing Information” button. Go to the bottom of the screen and enter your Departure Date in the “Date Leaving USA” field. Then click on the “Submit” button.
• Email your Spirit representative and include your new Departure Date and they can update it for you on the next business day.
• The latest date you can stay in the US is 10/07/2026. Do not depart after this date.

If not, you can reach Spirit Cultural Exchange Monday through Friday from 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Chicago Time.

You can call Spirit Cultural Exchange at 1-800-390-0978 and your call will be forwarded to a Spirit representative who can assist you during business hours.

You can email Spirit Cultural Exchange at support@spiritexchange.com.

If you would like to call your Spirit Cultural Exchange representative, call us at 1-800-390-0978 during business hours. Press the number “8” for the staff directory. Enter the first three letters of your Spirit Representative’s first or last name followed by the “#” sign. Press “1” if the name is correct and your call will be forwarded to your Spirit Cultural Exchange Representative.

If this is an emergency, call 911.

If you do not have a US phone number yet, you can use your Host Employer’s phone number temporarily. Once you get your own phone number, please update it in the Participant Support Center.

Participants should not have the following taxes withheld from your paycheck:

1. Social Security
2. Medicare
3. Federal Unemployment
4. In some states, state unemployment

It is appropriate from them to withhold State and Federal taxes.

If you have questions about this or feel that you are having taxes withheld incorrectly, please contact your Host Employer.

If you have arrived in the US and cannot find your DS-2019 form, please search your personal items, your room, and anywhere you last had it to see if you can find it.
If you left it at home, please ask your family to send it to your Host Employer’s address via registered mail.
If you still cannot find it, please contact your Spirit Cultural Exchange representative during regular business hours for next steps. Our business hours are Monday – Friday, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM Chicago Time.

If your form is lost, stolen, or damaged, you must let Spirit know. Do not simply reprint the form.
Spirit Cultural Exchange must report that your form was stolen, lost, or damaged and, if you need it, we will issue you a new form.
The reissued form will indicate on it that the Purpose of the Form is to replace a lost, stolen, or damaged form.

Keep your printed DS-2019 form in a safe place at all times.