Employment

FAQs - International Staff

What is a Social Security Number?

A Social Security number is a form of identification issued by the US government to individuals for census purposes.

Why do I need a Social Security Number?

Most importantly, it's the law. You must have a Social Security number to work and receive a salary in the US. Social security numbers are also required to open a bank account, which will allow you to deposit your paycheck, make cash withdrawals, wire transfer to an account at home, write checks, and use a debit/credit card for purchases at most retailers.

How do I get a Social Security number?

Representatives from Social Security Administration will be on campus during orientation week to assist you in obtaining a social security number. There are certain documents you will be required to produce to apply for a social security number, several of which you will have only after you have received your visa.

Please bring copies of the following forms with you to camp, because access to a copy machine at camp will be extremely limited:
   • The visa page in your passport
   • The Photo page of your passport
   • DS-2019
   • Your I-94 document that should be attached to your passport.

How do I get a visa?

A citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States to work as a camp counselor must first obtain a nonimmigrant (J) visa. Before you can apply for a J visa you must be accepted for the Exchange Visitor Program through a Department of State designated sponsor.

JKCP will be your designated sponsor (unless you are coming to the U.S. via an agency such as CCUSA or BUNAC, in which case the agency is your designated sponsor). As your designated sponsor, JKCP must issue a DS-2019 generated by the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), which maintains current information on exchange visitors.

Below is the procedure for obtaining a JKCP-sponsored J1 visa.

      1.  You will receive an email requesting specific information needed to issue your DS2019. Please respond urgently to this email.

      2.  Upon receiving your information, we will process the DS-2019, pay the required SEVIS fee on your behalf, and mail you the DS-2019 along the receipt for the SEVIS fee and an original signed contract. You will need to take these documents to the US Embassy when you apply for your visa. (Check with the embassy about other forms and processing fees required to complete your visa application, since these vary by country.)

      3.  Make an appointment with the US Embassy in the country where you currently reside. Be sure to indicate that you are applying for a J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa.

ALTHOUGH THIS APPOINTMENT MUST OCCUR AFTER YOU RECEIVE YOUR DS-2019 AND NOT MORE THAN 30 DAYS BEFORE YOUR DEPARTURE FOR CAMP, WE URGE YOU TO MAKE THE APPOINTMENT IMMEDIATELY TO ASSURE THAT YOU GET AN APPOINTMENT WITHIN THE APPROPRIATE TIME FRAME.

Please visit the US Department of State website to locate the US embassy nearest you, book an appointment online, check on the wait time for appointments and visas and to learn more about the visa application process.
We advise you to begin the above process immediately to allow ample time for your visa processing. You will not be permitted to enter the U.S. without your visa.

      4.  When traveling to and from the US, keep your visa, passport, driver's license, employment contract and DS-2019 with you at all times. NEVER SURRENDER THESE DOCUMENTS TO ANYONE AS YOU MAY BE REQUIRED TO SHOW ANY ONE OR ALL OF THEM WHEN TRAVELING BETWEEN COUNTRIES. You will also need to bring a pen, and the following information:

             Physical residential domicile in the U.S
             Haverford College
             370 Lancaster Ave
             Haverford PA 19041-0333.

             U.S. contact person for J-1 Exchange Visitor Program
             Steve Robertson
             484-505-6555

Who pays for my visa?

If we are sponsoring your visa, JKCP pays for the visa cost. By that we mean we incur all the charges for processing your DS-2019, but you will have the following responsibilities:

1. You can typically expect to be required to pay nominal fees for your embassy appointment, visa processing, and document delivery when you apply for your visa at the U.S. embassy in your home country.
2. During the summer, we will deduct $300 from your paycheck for some of the cost of your visa fees, which includes your required minimum health-care coverage. Please be aware the $300 we receive from you is about half of what you would have paid if you had applied for a visa directly and less than the actual expenses we incur for sponsoring your visa.

If you are coming through an agency, speak to your agency about visa fees.