WORK EXPERIENCE USAPRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION MEETING

2015 May 18, Monday CCUSA Office, Budapest, Rakoczi ut 8b

WELCOME!!!Make yourself comfortable! It is a small office for 5 of us

today!

Get your Info Package & Complete Marketing Survey first

- Check your visa in passport! Questions? Ask Mircsi now!

Still Owe Money (Fees or Insurance)? See Mircsi

Police Background Check? See Mircsi

Flight info / Insurance? See Mircsi

AGENDA

1. J-1 Visa Review

2. The CCUSA Program and Rules

3. Pre-departure Check List

4. Travel Reminders

5. US Entry Information

6. Using Footprints and Validating your J1 Visa

7. Applying for the Social Security Card

8. Communicating with Work Experience USA

9. Insurance

10.Taxes

11.Working in the USA

12.Living In the USA

13.After Your J1 program

• Celebrating 25 Great Years in Hungary! Since 1990,

• ‘Officially Designated’ VISA Sponsor

• Sent over 5600+400 Hungarian students total on various

programs

• Full time office, representing CCUSA Inc. (San Rafael, CA)

• Area Representatives throughout the country

• Programs: Camp programs to USA, Canada

• Practical Training USA (up to 18 monhts)

• Work Experience USA (summer program)

CCUSA Hungary

Be More than just a Tourist

J-1 VISA

You are on a J-1 visa in the Summer Work/Travel category which is a cultural exchange visa with a work component.

The U.S. Department of State oversees all Exchange Visitor Programs.

To contact the State Department:Tel: 1 866 283 9090Email: jvisas@state.gov

Be sure to read the Summer Work Travel Brochure and the State Department Welcome Letter on your Footprints account.

Obligations of the SWT J1 Visa

Validating your visa within 10 days of your DS2019 start date

Keeping CCUSA, your sponsor ALWAYS informed of where you are living and working.

Providing CCUSA with a working email and/or a US phone so we can always reach you.

Checking the CCUSA Facebook Page for current information

Working ONLY for a verified employer approved by CCUSA

Checking in with CCUSA EVERY 30 days of your program

Participating in cultural activities that expand your understanding of American life and culture.

ACTIONS WHICH CAN RESULTIN J-1 VISA TERMINATION

State Department Regulation Violations that require termination:

Failure to attend the mandatory pre-departure Orientation

Failure to validate your visa within 10 days of your DS2019 start date and to provide address changes within 10 days of moving

Engaging in unauthorized employment – which includes working for an unverified employer

Failure to pursue the activity of the visa which is to work, except during the 30 day grace period

Failure to complete the mandatory 30 day check ins

Failure to participate in Cultural Activities

Failure to maintain health insurance

Conviction of a crime, failure to provide a clean Police Background Check

Violation of Program Sponsor rules that result in termination:

Not going to or leaving an employer without following CCUSA procedures.

Not maintaining contact with CCUSA during your program.

Your Verified Employer• All participants on the J1 Summer Work Travel visa

are only approved to work for an employer verified by their sponsor – CCUSA Work Experience.

• All participants who were required to have a job offer before departure MUST go to their verified employer.

• Every employer you work for in the US MUST be verified by CCUSA before you start working. This applies to second jobs you find after arrival.

Changing Employers

After arriving at your verified employer, if you think you want to change to another employer, you MUST follow these procedures:

1) Contact CCUSA’s US office at 1888 449 3872 or workexperience@ccusa.com and discuss your reasons for wanting to change.

2) If CCUSA gives permission for the change, you will need to:a) Have worked for at least 2 weeks AND give your employer 2 weeks

notice of your departure date.b) Complete a CCUSA Two Week Notice formc) Provide CCUSA with a new Job Offer to verifyd) Pay the Verification fee

3) You are not allowed to start your new job until CCUSA confirms that the verification is complete.

Prepare for the summer- Email, email, then call your Employer. Job

description, visa granted, before departure (Job Offer/Placement letter)

- Until you depart – keep in touch with the Budapest office by EMAIL and in English (good practice for the summer!)

- Facebook groups

- Your Employer’s own group on Facebook?

- CCUSA Hungary 2015 group (closed group)

- CCUSA- Hungary Facebook page (public)- One more task on FB: CLEAN UP YOUR PROFILE!

PREDEPARTURE CHECK LIST

Passport AND your DS2019 Form

Pack for the climate you will work in. Come prepared!

Your Insurance ID card and policy information.

CCUSA ID number (Remember this! You will need it to communicate with CCUSA in the USA)

Your USER ID and Password for your Footprints account

TRAVEL and Arrival REMINDERS

Make sure you give CCUSA your flight details. Email Mircsi or Miklos at the Budapest office as soon as you’ve entered your itinerary on Footprints, so she can set your insurance! No Itinerary? No insurance!

Plan for your US domestic travel before leaving for the US

US Immigration/Entry Procedures require that you have your passport and DS2019 form. Your I-94 form is NOW electronic – not paper.

PACKING TIME!!!

• One Suitcase / Backpack only! 23 Kilos (US Airline Rules)• Tape the FDM pack in plastic sleeve (=“bugyi”) to front door• “TAKE ME WITH YOU!!”

• E-ticket / Contact Info/ Placement letter• Police Background Check / Medical / Insurance forms • Make copies of everything needed for Soc. Security• Passport + DS2019 + SEVIS payment• Driver’s license + International Driving License• Mile collection card, ISIC Card or other international student cards• Credit Cards, Money - $100 in cash + Credit Card (at least 1000$)• $200+ per week for after travel

General Flying tips• - E-ticket. All international flights leave from Liszt Ferenc 2A.

• - Be there 2 or 3 hours earlier (Budapest 2 hours, NYC-3 hours)

• - Check the status of your fligth , Online check in, choose seat – optional. DO NOT DELETE YOUR TICKET!

• - Wear comfortable clothes, be aware of air condition

• - Luggage restrictions: Check in 158cm, 23kg. Carry on 55x25x35 Luggage transfers, lost luggage

• - Code share flights, eg: Delta – Air France

• - Food, drink on the plane,

The Airport: Welcome to the USA!

• Three gates to Purgatory:

• Immigration: Officer fingerprints, photo, questions…stamp!

• Costums: Officer (again)

• Baggage Claim: Be aware of the dog!

Entering the US

• Your first interview may happen in Europe: Amsterdam, Frankfurt.. etc

• - Secondary SEVIS interview? Be nice, the nicest you have ever been

• Short, but not too short answers.

• Be cooperative and honest

• Move QUICKLY from one station to the other – The process can be 30-60 minutes long

• Call your employer and call CCUSA , if you miss a connection flight or train!

Arrival Procedures: The first 4 things to do!

• #1 Call Your Mum! (check time difference, use dial 011-36…..)

• #2 Validate your visa AND -in every 30 days- Check in on Footprints (for everyone!)

• #3 Complete the I-94 online (for everyone!) – Print out the form.

• # 4 Apply for Social Security # (if you do not have it yet)

USING YOUR FOOTPRINTS ACCOUNT

Access to the CCUSA Work Experience Footprints support center is 24/7. Use your user name and password: http://footprints.ccusa.com

validate your visa and update any changes to your living address

get help with your housing search

access your insurance documents

complete your 30 day check-ins

get suggestions for cultural activities available in your area

Be sure to keep your Footprints user name and password in a convenient place for easy access.

VALIDATING YOUR VISA

Once you arrive in the USA and AFTER the start date on your DS2019, you MUST validate your visa. Go to http://footprints.ccusa.com and log on to Footprints using your User Name and Password.

Give us the address and telephone number of where you are living. We must have this information no later than 10 days of the start date on your DS-2019 form – not from the date of your arrival in the US!

If from a Visa Waiver Program country, you can validate without employer information but you MUST have a job in order to continue on the J-1 work/travel visa. When you have a job, you must return to Footprints and enter the details.

You must notify us of your housing location whenever your situation changes. Remember: you cannot change employers without the permission of CCUSA or work for any unverified employer – even as a second job.

Failure to do so will result in termination of CCUSA’s sponsorship of your J1 visa.

CHECK IN &VALIDATION

CHECK IN You will be required to check in every 30 days. You will need to click on “Check In With CCUSA”CCUSA has set up a Map of your area to show you what possible Cultural Activities are available in your Area (however you are not limited to this)

VALIDATION• Within 3 days of arriving at your employer you MUST Validate your arrival.

• Click on this link and enter in the details of your address INCLUDING the name of your actual Cabin you are living in.

Arrival Procedures: I-94 (landing card) goes electronic!

• Since 2013 May, the I-94 form is now electronic. No paper forms will be completed.

• For a “paper” copy of your I-94 form, you will need to go to www.CBP.gov/I94 and download a copy. You will need this paper copy to apply for your Social Security card.

• You can only do this AFTER arrival.

• Check the printed materials in your package!

SOCIAL SECURITY APPLICATION

To apply you will need

I-94 electronic printout

Original DS2019

Completed Social Security application

Sponsorship letter from CCUSA – available through Footprints

Location of the nearest Social Security office. Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or go to www.ssa.gov.

SOCIAL SECURITY APPLICATION

Joe Paul Citizen

London England 12/25/1991

Jane Elizabeth Page

George Henry Citizen

x

x

x

x

SOCIAL SECURITY APPLICATION

Date of Application Get phone number for US Employer

Get mailing address when you arrive at US Employer

xSign here

SOCIAL SECURITY APPLICATIONSocial Security has to verify your information with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). If you have validated your visa with CCUSA and are able to download your I-94 form, you should be able to apply.

It can take 15-30 days to process your number

To check on the status of your card, call the number of the Social Security office where you applied.

Call CCUSA for advice if you have problems getting your Social Security card.

US federal law and Social Security regulations allow employers to employ and pay workers who have applied for a Social Security card as long as they can show proof of their Social Security application. Do NOT work for an employer who will not pay you.

Keep the receipt you are given when you apply! It may allow your employer to hire and pay you before your card is processed.

CONTACTING CCUSA

Our office hours are 8am to 4:30pm Pacific time, Monday - Friday

In an emergency CCUSA’s answering service can contact a staff member after office hours and on weekends to assist you with a real emergency

Call CCUSA toll free at 1-888-449-3872 (1-888-44-WEUSA)

Real emergencies are:

Death

Arrest

Serious accident

Serious illness

For Non-Emergencies, call during office hours or use the extensive support information on Footprints. If you do call when the office is closed about a non-emergency issue, LEAVE a message with your name and phone number. We will call you back. You can also email Miklos at Miklosr@ccusa.hu IN ENGLISH (!!!), in case I must forward it.

Communicating with CCUSA

• It is very important that you be in contact with CCUSA throughout your program. This contact can be:

• Through a working email address. As a condition of the program, you are required to give CCUSA a working email address.

• A mobile phone that works in the US. You can give us this number when you validate your visa.

• Join CCUSA’s Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ccusaworkexperiencesummer2015/

• This group page is only for when you are in the US and we will post tips about the program and alerts for things you need to do.

WEUSA 2015 - Facebook group

30 Day Check In on Footprints

State Department regulations for the Summer Work/Travel J1 visa require that all participants contact their sponsor at least

every 30 days.

With CCUSA, you can do this through your Footprints account. Once you log on and select the current program, you will see a

link for the “Check-In” procedure. Click on this link and respond to all the questions.

You will receive emails from CCUSA during your program reminding you to check in. Failure to do so is a violation of program

rules and regulations and can result in the termination of your program.

Mandatory Cultural Activities• The Summer Work/Travel J1 visa is a cultural exchange visa and requires

that you participate in activities outside your work place that will expand your knowledge and experience of American life and culture. You will need to report to CCUSA about these activities and what you have learned as part of your 30 day check in process.

• CCUSA will provide you with information about suitable activities in your area in a variety of ways:

• On your Footprints account, you will have access to a map of the US which gives a wide variety of cultural activities.

• On the CCUSA Culture Blog (www.ccusacultureclub.com)

• Your employer may provide group activities

• Through posts on the CCUSA US Facebook page

CCUSA Cultural Activity Map

• Through your Footprints account, you will have access to this map: Click on the icons to see details on the activity.

CCUSA Culture Club Blog

Go to www.ccusacultureclub.com to see additional suggestions for

cultural activities around the USA.

Insurance: Bubble Chart” in your pack! 10% of you will need it!

Insurance 10 Procedure Steps:• 1. Get Insurance card from Footprints (eg:

ID W18903800). Print it AFTER arrival.

• 2. Injure: During work or not? Workers Comp or your insurance will cover it? If Workers Comp – camp insurance will pay for it, but get confirmation.3. If not workers comp: Call insurance company: ask for location of hospital / clinic in the area check the nature of your medical issue – will it be covered?

• 4. Do not use Emergency room – unless it is an emergency. Show hospital / doctors your Insurance card, insurance company info.

• 5. Call Insurance company again – before treatment, get pre-authorization for X ray or surgery. Otherwise only 50% of the

costs will be approved.

• 6. Get treatment. Get better. Save receipts, if you buy any medication at pharmacy.

• 7. After all treatments, within a week, scan&email CLAIMENT FORM and other documents, receipts to insurance comp.

8. Two days later, call Insurance comp, check if they received and the claim was approved. Pay first 100$ to insurance company–economy pack.

9. Call hospital, if they received the payment.

• 10. Repeat point 8 and 9, until you got confirmation about payment.

INSURANCE

You must be covered by a CCUSA approved insurance policy for the full dates on your DS2019 form. You MUST extend coverage for any additional time in the US – using CCUSA insurance.

You can access your Insurance information, including policy numbers and claim forms, through your Footprints account. You must refer to this information for all questions regarding insurance.

INSURANCE CLAIMS

ALWAYS contact the insurance company BEFORE medical treatment to determine coverage and for doctor/hospital recommendations

The USA does NOT have a national health care system. It is very common for doctors and hospital to require patients to pay for treatment costs up front. You must be financially prepared for this possibility.

Submit a claim form, original receipts and/or prescriptions to the insurance company

Not all claims will be paid:

1) pre-existing conditions

2) regular dental treatment

3) psychiatric conditions

4) if you are under the influence of drugs or alcohol

INSURANCE: OVERVIEWIt is a J-1 visa requirement that you have approved travel insurance for the duration of your visa.

CCUSA is not the insurance company. You are covered by a company called HCC. The policy exceeds the regulations of the U.S. State Department.

Refer to your “Footprints” account for your Policy Coverage Details, ID Card and Claim Form.

BLUE FORMS IN YOUR PACKAGE! NO FORM FILLED OUT ? NO Insurance covering costs!

Review your policy details carefully prior to departure, and review with your parents. Any specific questions about coverage should be directed to your insurance company (HCC or Cerberus).

You have been enrolled with basic coverage. You can upgrade to premium coverage prior to your departure. ECONOMY PACKAGE= 100 $ deductable!

Make copies of all Insurance documents at home prior to your departure for the US in case of emergency.

The policy can be extended through your home office prior to departure or through the U.S. office once you arrive in the U.S.

Refer to your Program Agreement for Insurance Extension and upgrade fees..

For example , extensions : 1 week 30 euro, 1 month: 75 euro (Economy package).

CCUSA Tax Service Contact Information

• NEW ADDRESS!! (since 2014 May)

• 901 E Street, Suite 300

• San Rafael, CA 94901, USA

• Phone:415-339-27391-800-277-8062

• Email: Tax@ccusa.com 

Taxes Dos and Don’ts

You are required to pay:US Federal Income Tax (about

15%). State and City taxes (amounts are determined by

state/city laws)

You do not pay:Medicare

Social Security (FICA)US Federal Unemployment (FUTA)

You are not entitled to collect Medicare, Social Security of federal unemployment benefits so you are not required to pay the taxes.

Make sure your employer is aware of this and does not deduct them from your paycheck.

CCUSA TAX SERVICE

Filing and Tax Back Made Easy!

Meets all US filing requirements

Managed by CCUSA – people you know!

You’ll get the maximum refunds allowable

CCUSA does more and charges less!

Convenient

Simple

CCUSA TAX SERVICE FAQ

Q. How much does it cost?A. Our fee on average is 8% of the amount withheld from your

pay checks with minimum of $65 and maximum of $95.

Q. Do I have to use your service?A. No! But we strongly recommend you let us help you.

Q. What if I change my mind?A. Just tell us before we start processing your tax return. No

hassles guaranteed!

Q. How do I sign up?A. Fill in and give the Power of Attorney and the Contract to your

orientation leader TODAY!

THE SIGN UP FORMS - PAGE 1

1.First name

2.Family name

3.Permanent home address in your country

4.Write your initials

5.Write your initials. If your name is Joe Smith your initials are JS.

THE SIGN UP FORMS - PAGE 2

6.Write the day, month and year

7.Sign your name

8.Write your CCUSA ID #

W-4 FORMS

Determines the amount of tax deducted from your salary

File with employer

Complete one form for each employer

1

WORKING IN THE USA

As a J1 Summer Work/Travel participant, you are covered by the same laws and regulations as a US citizen. If you are having problems with your employer, you should contact CCUSA immediately. Some problem situations are:

You arrive at your employer and they do not have a job for you

Your employer pays you in cash and does not provide an accounting of the taxes withheld. This is illegal in the US.

Your employer wants to collect your passport

If any situation with an employer makes you uncomfortable, you should call CCUSA immediately.

US LABOR LAWSOvertime

Normally earned after working 40 hours in one week but there are exceptions! Seasonal employers, such as amusement parks are usually not required to pay overtime.

Regulations vary state to state and industry to industry

Many employers do not allow you to work overtime

Overtime pay can range from your regular hourly rate to 1.5 times your regular rate.

US LABOR LAWS

Minimum Wage - $7.25 per hour or $2.13 for tipped employee. Some industries may be less or more.

Equal Employment Opportunity - law prohibits job discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, age, physical or mental disability or national origin

Drug testing - employers have the right to request drug tests. If you test positive, your job may be terminated.

US LABOR LAWS

Safety

Employers must furnish a work environment free of recognized hazards

Employees must follow all occupational safety and health standards

Sexual harassment

Defined as unsolicited sexually motivated behavior whether physical or verbal that is perceived offensive by the victim

Speak to a superior if you think you have been sexually harassed

LIVING IN THE USA - MONEY

US dollars

An ATM/debit card is the best option

Credit cards

Budget for the expenses you will have before your first pay check

Travel and food

First month’s rent/deposit

Cost of finding housing

Slow start to the season

Social Security Card delay

The CCUSA PAYONEER CARD

The best way to handle your funds while traveling!The CCUSA Payoneer pre-paid debit card provides you with a safe and easy way to use and

manage your funds while traveling abroad! Benefits include:

An easy way for your employer to pay you. No need to open a US bank account or visit a bank to cash your check. You can also use the card in stores or online (no fee for this) or get cash (in local currency) at any ATM or cash point worldwide ($1.95 USD fee for withdrawals in US; $2.95 USD fee for withdrawals outside of US)

Load money onto the card easily at any time through Payoneer’s website or at a Western Union location. Manage your money online through the “My Account” feature at www.payoneer.com

Safely manage and use your funds while traveling. No need to carry around lots of cash or traveler’s checks. And if the card is lost, the money isn’t! Your replacement card will be sent to you within 10 business days. Continue using your card after the summer is over. If you keep your account active, you can use it next summer.

Initial activation fee of $10 USD and then $3 USD fee per month (includes cost to post cards to you at home or while in the US.).

LIVING IN THE USAGetting Around and US Laws

Transportation options in the US will depend on the area where you will be living. Review information provided by CCUSA and your employer. Plan for how you will get to and from work.

Be aware of safety issues. Use your Footprints account for information about bicycle and pedestrian safety.

Be aware of US laws concerning drinking and smoking. In most states you have to be 21 to purchase and publicly consume alcohol. Many states and communities have strict laws about where you can smoke.

Be aware of US laws about illegal drugs.

Be cautious about giving your passport and personal information to anyone you do not know. Always retain possession of your passport. No one should take it from you.

LIVING IN THE USA - HOUSING

If your employer does not provide housing, you MUST have pre-arranged accommodations for at least the first few nights BEFORE coming to the US. Please use the internet and your Footprints account for resources.

Once you arrive in the US:

Try real estate agents

Check newspapers classifieds for short-term rentals, roommates wanted, furnished rooms for rent, share agencies.

Check nearby universities

Group up with others looking for housing

You should also use Footprints for resources. If you have no luck, please call the CCUSA office for assistance.

DO NOT sign a lease for longer than the length of your visa

You do have rights even if you do not sign a lease.

Housing Discrimination Hotline 1-800-669-9777

MOBILE PHONES & US SIM CARDS

Refer to your Footprints account for great deals with E-Kit and Fonepool for Sim card or Sim Card and mobile phone packages.

For your Mobile phone to work in the USA it needs to be a Tri-Band phone or Quad-Band phone and you will need to make sure it is unlocked by your Mobile phone provider.

Global Roaming can be very expensive if using your own Tri-Band phone. Make sure you check your plan for details.

Refer to links on Footprints for CCUSA exclusive deals

RETURNEES? ANY FEEDBACK FROM 2014?

Pictures from Returnees: End of summer Travel

TRAVELING OUTSIDE THE USA (Do NOT go to Mexico or

Canada!)CCUSA does not recommend that you leave the US during the dates on your DS2019 form.

If you do plan to travel outside of the US while on the program, you must follow these rules:

Call the CCUSA San Rafael office to have your travel approved. You must be planning to return to the US and continue your program.

If your trip is approved, you must send your DS2019 form to CCUSA San Rafael for an approval signature. Failure to do this can result in the US Border officials refusing to allow you to re-enter the US.

You are only eligible to travel outside of the US during the active dates of your DS form. Once your grace period starts, if you leave the US, you will not be able to re-enter on your J-1 visa – EVEN if you are coming back only to fly out again the next day. You will need another visa to do this.

Please refer to the CCUSA International Staff Handbook on your Footprints account for more detailed information.

The 30-day Grace Period and Exiting the US

Provided that you successfully complete your SWT J1 program, you will be eligible for a 30 day grace period after the program. However, please remember the following:

You MUST be in your home country in time to start classes for the next term. If the US embassy has set a date by which all SWT participants must return, you must comply.

The 30 day grace period allows you to prepare for your departure and to travel WITHIN the borders of the US. You are NOT allowed to leave the US and re-enter on the J1 visa.

If you do leave the US, you will not be able to re-enter on your J-1 visa – EVEN if you are coming back only to fly out again the next day. You will need another visa to do this.

Send us a copy of your DS2019 form after your return, but keep the original one. You may need it if you decide to return to the US on another type of visa in the future, and we will keep a copy of it.

Send us a copy of your boarding pass! (flight from the US to Hungary)

WHAT ELSE CAN I DO NEXT YEAR?

• 1. WEUSA RETURNEE?! If you love working at your work and your employer loves you, you can return as many times as your employer and the visa allows. CCUSA can accommodate your return! Make sure you talk to your boss before the end of the camp season if you want to return for 2015. CCUSA fees are cheaper in October!

• 2. Check out our other programs on the website when you come back from your camp experience to see where else around the world CCUSA can take you!

• Camp Counselors USA – Summer Program (as a support staff / counselor)

• Camp Counselors Canada (Even if you are not a student any more). 2015 May - WITH FLIGHT OPTION!

• Practical Training USA 1-1.5 years (ONLY after graduation)

QUESTIONS?