Work and Travel USA
Hello, AUBG-er! Want to Know a *little* About WAT?
You’ve already made the first step of becoming a citizen of the world – you entered the AUBG community. It is exciting, isn’t it?
Now, you’re about to discover that student life is about much more than classes – it’s a chance to explore new opportunities and broaden your horizons.
One such opportunity is already knocking at your door – the Work and Travel USA cultural exchange program.
Why Students Trust Usit Colours for Work and Travel USA
Because Usit Colours is operating on the Bulgarian market since 1999, and has gained the trust of over 40 000 students, 4500 of whom were AUBG-ers.
We are Usit
Because we now have a second generation Work & Travel participants. Our first clients now send their grown up children on the program.
We Make Things Easier
Because Usit Colours consultants’ are experienced, multilingual and had the privilege to provide service to clients from 31 nations.
We are Safe
Because we never run out of DS forms and we have a guaranteed slot for you.
We work with top organizations
Because Usit Colours works with the biggest and oldest US organization for students exchange programs – CIEE, est. 1957. In addition, we are partnering with some smaller and trustful sponsoring organizations.
We are Experts
Because 58 people in our team have been to the USA at least ONCE. What’s more – many of us have visited the country more than 5 times. We have solid firsthand experience and we strongly believe this is a life changing experience.
We are Open
We do not close in the summertime and are always available, whenever you need support and assistance.
Our customers
40,000+ students have chosen Usit Colours
from different nationalities:Bulgarian||Albanian||Greek||Romanian||Serbian||North Macedonian||Montenegrin||Bosnian||Croatian||Slovenian||Hungarian||Ukrainian||Moldovan||Russian
What Students Say
Check out what our participants are sharing
Let us tell you a short about the benefits
If wondering is it worth to participate in the Work and Travel Program, let us briefly outline just some of the reasons you should go for this experience!
Summer in the States
Spending several months there gives you the chance to go beyond first impressions and to truly understand the culture and its traditions
Finance your next academic year
These programs let you work legally at multiple jobs, covering your fees and living costs while saving for the next academic year.
Perfect for your CV
You’ll work for a US company in a multicultural environment, gaining valuable skills and business insight that future employers highly value.
Friendships and connections
You’ll build relationships that can support your future goals – whether landing an internship, starting a business, or launching a career in a company.
Iconic places
You will have the opportunity to visit some of the most iconic touristic sites, or have a short exotic escape to places like Mexico, Caribbean Islands, Hawaii, Peru.
Choose your Work and Travel program option
Don’t forget to include Easy Program Cancellation – an optional add-on for extra peace of mind.
*The promotional pricing is applicable to contracts signed by 31.10.2025, with full program payment required prior to departure for the USA. The listed prices reflect a $300 reduction from the standard program fee for the 2026 season. Following the month of October other promotional initiatives may be available, but at a lower discount.
$300 discount
SELF-ARRANGED JOB
$1299
(promotional price)
$1599 (standard price)
✓ Program administration and support by Usit Colours and your sponsor.
✓ Reserving a place in the program and issuance of DS-2019 certificate.
✓ Verification and vetting of the job offer.
✓ $100 medical insurance coverahge for the full program.
✓ Complete support with J1 visa documents, submission, and procedures.
✓ Assistance from Usit Colours before departure and from your sponsor while in the USA.
$300 discount
SPONSOR ASSTISTED JOB INTERVIEW
$1599
(promotional price)
$1899 (standard price)
✓ Program administration and support by Usit Colours and your sponsor.
✓ Reserving a place in the program and issuance of DS-2019 certificate.
✓ Possibility to attend job interviews, organized by our US partner.
✓ $100 000 medical insurance coverage for the full program.
✓ Complete support with J1 visa documents, submission, and procedures.
✓ Assistance from Usit Colours before departure and from your sponsor while in the USA.
OPTIONAL ADD-ON
EASY PROGRAM CANCELLATION
$129
(non-refundable fee)
- It can be purchased right on sign up or no later than the second program payment.
- Protects you financial interest: if you cancel or can’t travel for any reason, your non-refundable program fee is limited to $199.
Additional costs
Visa interview fee
Paid to U.S. Embassy
Visa Integrity fee
Paid to U.S. Embassy
SEVIS fee
Required by the Department of State
Plane ticket
The price of the plane ticket to the US varies mainly based on where you need to fly to. The lowest are the prices to New York, Boston, Chicago, while the flights to more remote destinations like West Coast or Alaska cost significantly more.
We are one of the largest travel agencies in Bulgaria and will offer you special fares and conditions for your trip to the US.
Meet our Fantastic Team
The people who are going to welcome you in our office in Blagoevgrad
Elena
Branch Manager
Greetings Students, My name is Aneta and I am the branch manager at Usit Colours Blagoevgrad. With nearly 20 years of experience, I am here to help you with all questions and concerns you may have in regards with the Work&Travel Program.
As most students do, I have been to States as a Work and Travel Participant for two years in a row. Both summers I went to one of the nicest places I have ever visited, Williamsburg, VA. With its historical area, Busch Gardens Virginia (one of the biggest amusement parks in the US), with the ocean nearby (Virginia Beach resort), this town took my heart forever, and even I have been quite a while ago, I still feel it as my second home.
Mira
Travel Consultant
Hello! I’m Mira.
When I was a student, I missed the possibility of participating in WAT.
During my summer breaks, I preferred to stay close and worked in Bulgarian sea resorts.
Comparing my jobs with those of WAT it was a similar experience – working, earning money, and enjoying… but later I realized that nothing can compare with Summer Work&Travel in the USA.
That is why I joined Usit Colours: I want to motivate you and help you achieve your American dream.
Don’t make my mistake! Go to the USA next summer!
Maria
Travel Consultant
Hi everyone!
My name is Maria and I’ll be one of your consultants for the WAT program.
A couple of summers ago, I had the chance to experience this adventure myself – I spent a summer in small, beautiful and cozy town in Wisconsin on a WAT program.
I know exactly how exciting it can feel at first. I’m here to share my experience, help you get ready, and make sure you enjoy this amazing adventure to the fullest.
Can’t wait to meet you!
Let us tell you more about Work&Travel
The program allows full time students for all over the world to become more than tourists in the US and to get better exposure and understanding on American way of life, culture, traditions and business models.
Cultural Exchange Program
Work and Travel USA is a cultural exchange program, designated by the US Department of State in late 50-ies of 20th century.
More than tourists
The program allows students to become more than tourists and to get better exposure and understanding on American way of life, culture, traditions and business models.
Multinational
Today the program has become a substantial part of the way of living of thousends of students from many countries.
The largest
It became available for Bulgarian students in the late ’90s and has involved over 130,000 participants. It's the largest exchange program worldwide.
Students only
To be eligible to participate, you should be a full-time student enrolled in a post-secondary educational institution, over 18 years and with a good command of English.
Why is Important to Sign up for Work and Travel USA early?
We know that “next summer” sounds too far, but you need to start preparing now.
Lowest price
Job Offers
Early Processing
The first thing that stands out is the best price you’ll get in the entire season.
We assure you that you won’t be able to get a better than the one in the first month of the enrollments.
If we put the financial aspect aside there are multiple, all important, reasons to sign up for the program early on.
Creating Value Through Customized Business Solutions
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Continuously Improve Our Services To Meet Evolving Needs
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Your Work and Travel Application Journey
From start to finish: what to expect in Work and Travel Application process
Ask us questions
Ask us any questions you might have about the program. Our consultants will be happy to give you all the answers, even to questions you didn’t think of asking!
Register in the program
Our consultants will create a profile for you in our web-based system. It is an easy process, you just need to have your ID with you. Sign an agreement for the program and pay a deposit, which is an integral part of your program fee.
Define how you will be securing a job
You can choose between independently or using our services. Our consultants will be happy to help you to choose what would work best for you.
Get a job and apply for a DS-2019
This process is simplified as much as possible. You will have to answer a few questions about your reasons to participate in the Work and Travel Program and what are your plans for the months spend in the US.
Pay the remaining part of your program fee and book your flight
It is logical to book your flight only when you have your visa approved, but we strongly recommend to do it before that. As early you book as lower the price will be, and you will have the privilege to choose the travel date that suits your plans best.
Remember, in this time of the year traffic from Europe to the US is quite intense, so the flights are filling fast. Should something with your visa goes wrong – we will refund you the ticket costs.
Apply for a visa
Тhis could be an overwhelming process, but we are the experts and will guide you through it with high level of care and professionalism, so you can successfully get your visa. We will fill the visa application form, check your supporting documents and schedule your visa appointment.
What you will do by yourself is to have a short talk with the Consular Officer.
Enjoy your
What’s next for you?
Fill out our registration form, come see us in an office or request an online consultation.
Безплатна консултация в офис
Заповядай в най-удобния за теб офис на Usit Colours и задай всичките си въпроси относно Work and Travel USA на наш консултант!
Безплатна онлайн консултация
Регистрирай се за безплатна онлайн консултация с Usit консултант.
Срещите се провеждат през работни дни в Zoom.
Регистрирай се в програмата
Готов си за следващата крачка? Запази своето място в програмата сега!
FAQ: WAT Dictionary
Here are some answers to Frequently Asked Questions out Work and Travel terms.
DS-2019 form
The Form DS-2019 or “Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status”, permits a prospective exchange visitor to seek an interview at a U.S. embassy in order to obtain a J visa to enter the United States. The document identifies the participant, their sponsoring organization and employer, their program start and end date (work period). Or simply put – a work permit that allows you to work and live in the US for four full months + get an extra fifth month for tourist purposes.
Sponsor / Sponsor Organization
Sponsor is a profit or nonprofit US based organization, designated by the Department of State to run cultural exchange programs. The sponsoring organization is responsible for selecting and pre-screening applicants, verifying job offers in accordance with program regulations, and to support and monitor the students during their entire stay in the US. As a rule each sponsoring organization works with overseas representatives ( Work and Travel companies), whose role is to organize and administer the application process prior participants departure to the US.
SEVIS
The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), administered by the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is an Internet-based system that maintains data on foreign students and exchange visitors before and during their stay in the United States. Every participant in the Work and Travel program must register in SEVIS, by contacting the sponsoring organization, upon arrival to the US, but not later than 20 days after the program start date, as written on the DS2019 form. The participants shall notify the sponsoring organization in case of change of home address, phone number or email address within 10 days of the change, so their contact information could be accordingly updated in SEVIS.
Grace period
Following the completion of their program, the period defined on the Form DS-2019, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) allows participants a 30-day travel period commonly referred to as the “Grace Period.” During this 30-day grace period, participants are no longer in J-visa status, and are under the jurisdiction of the USCIS. The USCIS grants this period to allow participants to settle their affairs and to prepare to return to their home countries. Program participants may no longer work. Although participants may travel in the United States, it is recommended that they do not travel beyond the borders of the United States as they may not be permitted reentry. However, due to the relatively short vacation of the AUBG, most of the students could not benefit the whole duration of the grace period.
I-94
This is an arrival/ departure report, which is generated electronically upon your arrival to the US. First-time participant in the Work and Travel program will have to provide a printout of your electronic information to the Social Security Administration when applying for a Social Security number.
SSN (Social Security Number)
SSA stands for Social Security Administration, which is an independent agency of the US government, and is in charge of issuing Social Security numbers to those who are eligible to work legally in the US.
W-4
W-4 is a tax form, completed by all non-resident aliens in the US to indicate his tax status to the employer. The form tells the employer the correct amount and type of taxes to withhold from each paycheck. Work and Travel participants have to fill and present to each employer the W-4 form. Under their J-1 exchange visitor status the participants are exempt Medicare, Social Security and Federal Unemployment Tax (may vary by state).
W-2
Every person who works legally in the US must pay taxes and file a tax declaration at the end of each year. Work and Travel participants usually pay State and Federal Taxes, but the number and the amount of taxes withheld depends on the State Taxation law. The W-2 form is a document, issued by the employers, that lists the total amount of wages earned and the amount of taxes withheld. The form should be issued no later than the end of January with information from previous calendar year. The information on W-2 determines whether one is getting a refund or writing a check come April.