May 15 2012

New Interim Final Rule Further Clarifies Requirements of Summer Work Travel Visa Program

On April 26, 2011, the Department of State (DOS) published an interim final rule to amend the requirements of the Summer Work Travel category of the Exchange Visitor visa program. DOS has now published a second interim final rule, in which it expands upon and provides guidance on additional changes, as well as strengthens parts of the regulations aimed at protecting the health, safety and welfare of program participants and to reinforce cultural exchange components of the visa program.

This new rule, which took effect on May 11, 2012 but will be delayed until November 1, 2012, further supports the cultural components of the Summer Work Travel category. It describes types of job placements that are appropriate and expands the list of jobs prohibited under the program. Written comments will be accepted from the public for 60 day from the date of the notice’s publication in the Federal Register.