WORK IN AMERICA ✦ LIVE THE SUMMER ✦ COME HOME STRONGER ✦ WORK IN AMERICA ✦ LIVE THE SUMMER ✦ COME HOME STRONGER ✦
SWT 2027 · THE 20-SECOND ANSWER
APPLICATIONS OPEN
YOUR SUMMER. YOUR AMERICA. YOUR MOVE.
Legal work. A real U.S. summer. A plan before you fly. You come home with stronger English, real experience for your CV and U.S. visa history in your passport.
CAN I GO?Full-time student · age 18–28
You must be an active full-time university student with enough English to work and live independently.
WHAT IS SWT?Legal J-1 work + cultural exchange
A temporary J-1 cultural exchange with sponsor-approved seasonal work and a permitted travel period.
DO I FLY BLIND?No. Job + housing details first.
Your job offer and housing details are confirmed before departure. You arrive with a plan, not a guess.
WHAT HAPPENS THERE?Transfer · setup · local support
Airport transfer, SSN and banking guidance, local orientation and in-season support are built into your arrival plan.
PACKAGES FROM$2,490paid in four stages · financing pathway in development
APPLICATION DEADLINE1 MARapply earlier for more destination and job choice
THE SUMMER CAN PAY FOR ITSELF.
For many participants, it does. Legal work helps recover the investment; strong hours, tips, approved overtime or a sponsor-approved second job can create extra savings too.
Your result depends on confirmed wage, actual hours, taxes, housing and personal spending. This is a realistic planning outcome, not an income guarantee.
Summer Work & Travel is a temporary J-1 cultural exchange: sponsor-approved seasonal work, everyday responsibility and a permitted travel period.
WHAT IT IS · WHY IT MATTERS · THE PATH
START HERE · SWT IN 60 SECONDS
THE WHOLE PROGRAM, FAST.
Six things that are true for everyone. Read these and you understand SWT.
01
Cultural exchange
You live everyday American life through work and communication — not as a tourist.
02
Seasonal work
Sponsor-approved positions in a busy summer season.
03
Official U.S. sponsor
Manages your DS-2019, SEVIS record and required approvals.
04
Real responsibility
Your schedule, expenses, housing rules and compliance are yours.
REAL WORK · REAL TEAMCULTURAL EXCHANGETHE START OF SOMETHING BIG
Know the details
05 — Travel period. Travel is possible only within the dates and conditions your program and immigration rules permit.
06 — Temporary program. SWT is a temporary cultural exchange — not permanent employment or an immigration pathway.
Who handles what: EARN&GO USA prepares and guides you locally. The official U.S. J-1 sponsor holds program authority (DS-2019, SEVIS, approvals). The employer runs the workplace. The U.S. Embassy makes the final visa decision.
ELIGIBILITY · CHECK YOURSELF FIRST
CAN YOU APPLY?
Four conditions. If all four are true of you, you can begin an application.
01
Active full-time student
Currently enrolled and actively studying — and returning to your studies after the summer.
02
Age 18–28
You must be within this age range for the season you apply to.
03
Recognised university
Enrolled at an accredited higher-education institution.
04
English at A2 or above
A2 (CEFR) is the minimum for Summer Work & Travel — enough English to work, live, ask questions and solve everyday problems on your own. Your level is confirmed by our placement test.
The full eligibility check is part of the official application. Meeting these four conditions means you can apply — it does not by itself confirm acceptance, a placement or a visa.
DP
Darko Petreski
19 · Bitola · Season 2026
"I knew English. I was just ashamed to make a mistake in front of people. After one week I understood that nobody is judging you — everyone is used to accents."
„Го знаев јазикот, но се срамев и се плашев да не згрешам пред луѓето. Тоа беше најголемата блокада. По една недела сфатив дека никој не те суди… Само требаше да ја отворам устата првиот пат."
WHAT SWT IS NOT
Not guaranteed visa approval · not guaranteed earnings · not an effortless holiday · not permission to start an unapproved second job.
THE PEOPLE WHO WENT
ASK THEM, NOT US.
Four participants from Skopje and Bitola appear throughout this handbook. Their own words — translated, and printed underneath exactly as they said them.
OH
Ognen Hristoski
21 · Skopje · Season 2026
"The summer didn't just give me money. It gave me a routine."
„Почнав сам да се будам рано. Сам да си го организирам денот. Летото не ми даде само пари — ми даде режим."
MH
Maja Hristova
22 · Skopje · Season 2026
"Now I have no fear. To ask, to call, to put myself forward."
„Сега немам ниту страв, ниту недостиг од самодоверба да прашам, да се јавам, да се покажам."
02
CHAPTER 02
CHOOSE YOUR AMERICA
THERE IS NO ONE AMERICA.
The right destination is not the most famous one. It is the one that fits your budget, working style and independence.
200+ LOCATIONS · 15+ STATES · YOUR FIT
200+
Locations
1000+
Jobs
15+
States
Our sponsor partners place participants right across the United States — coast, mountains, lakes, resorts and national parks. Nobody chooses well from a list that long. So we sort it three ways first — then show you the detail.
START HERE · THREE WAYS TO DO THIS SUMMER
DON'T PICK A STATE. PICK A PLAN.
You do not need to know anything about America to choose. You only need to know something about yourself. Read these three and one of them will be obviously you.
03
THREE WAYS IN. ONE SUMMER.Start with the version that sounds most like you.
PACKAGE 01
SAFE START
Everything in one place.
For you ifThis is your first season, or your English is still finding its feet.
You getEmployer housing on the resort campus, meals nearby or included, a walk to your shift, structured hours and the lowest total cost of any option here.
WhereAmusement parks & resorts, Wisconsin Dells, island and national-park lodges.
The trade: quieter surroundings and few second-job options — but with housing, food, transport and work in one package, you are unlikely to need one.
PACKAGE 02
CLASSIC BEACH
The summer everyone pictures.
For you ifYou want people, boardwalks, a busy season and the option of a second job.
You getA beach town with a real social scene, tipped positions, the most additional hours available, and other participants everywhere around you.
WhereOcean City MD, Myrtle Beach, and other Atlantic boardwalk towns.
The trade: you will spend more than you plan to, and the pace in peak season is genuinely hard. This is where budgeting decides your summer.
PACKAGE 03
SWT HORIZON
The highest rates in the country.
For you ifYou have excellent English and real hospitality experience behind you.
You getThe highest legal minimum wages in the United States and the strongest tips — fine dining, upmarket resorts and premium coastal destinations.
WhereNew England coast, New York state, the Rocky Mountains and Alaska.
The trade: the highest housing costs in the country, and guest expectations to match. Without strong English and experience, a beginner can earn less here than in Package 01 — we will tell you honestly if we think it is not your year for this.
Tell us which package sounds like you before you look at anything else. We will show you what is genuinely open for 2027 inside it — and if your answers point somewhere different from your first instinct, we will say so.
NOW THE DETAIL · DESTINATION WORLDS
MARYLAND
OCEAN CITY
PACKAGE 02 · CLASSIC BEACH
BOARDWALK SUMMER
AtmosphereBeach and boardwalk energy, strong seasonal-tourism buzz, social summer scene.
HousingUsually provided by the employer. Where it is not, we secure it with the sponsor before you fly — around $100–150 per week for a shared apartment.
TransportNo car needed. Bus and bicycle along the boardwalk.
CostPeak-season prices on top of rent. Budget your week before you spend it.
SuitsThose who want a social beach environment and an active destination.
Watch forPeak-season pace, weekend shifts and personal spending in a resort town.
NearbyBeaches, boardwalk and Mid-Atlantic coastal towns during approved time off.
SEASON · EARLY JUNE — MID-SEPTEMBER
Second jobStrong. A busy boardwalk town with plenty of additional hours — approved in advance.
BEACHSOCIALCAR-FREEHIGH ENERGY
Jobs, wages, housing and placement are never guaranteed — confirmed per individual offer.
HousingUsually provided by the employer. Where it is not, we secure it with the sponsor before you fly — around $140–190 per week in Orlando, $110–150 on the coast.
TransportThe weak point. Orlando is spread out and the bus is slow; the coastal locations are far easier without a car.
CostThe highest housing costs of any destination here, plus heat and humidity.
SuitsThose who want high-energy tourism, warm weather and major Florida experiences.
Watch forTransport above everything. Confirm how you reach every shift before you accept an Orlando offer.
SEASON · JUNE — MID-SEPTEMBER
Second jobPossible, but transport decides it. Two workplaces you cannot reach is not a second job.
NearbyDepending on your confirmed location, major attractions may be accessible during time off. Transport, admission, distance and availability are not included unless explicitly confirmed in your program.
RESORTAMUSEMENTHOSPITALITYWARM WEATHERHIGH ENERGY
A destination category, not one city or guaranteed placement. Exact city, employer, dates and availability depend on current approved offers.
WISCONSIN
WISCONSIN DELLS
PACKAGE 01 · SAFE START
WATERPARK & RESORT CAPITAL
AtmosphereWaterparks, resorts and family entertainment — a strong resort-community summer.
HousingOn-campus employee housing, usually deducted directly from your pay — around $70–110 per week, often with a canteen meal plan.
TransportEverything is on one campus. National-park placements are fully remote — that is the trade.
CostThe lowest total cost here, because housing, food, transport and work sit in one package.
SuitsA first season, or anyone who wants the least to organise and the fewest surprises.
Watch forWeekend and holiday shifts, and very little around you outside the resort.
SEASON · MID-MAY — LABOR DAY · SOME PARKS TO LATE SEPTEMBER
Second jobRarely needed. Overtime inside the resort usually replaces it.
NearbyDepending on your confirmed location, major attractions may be accessible during time off — transport, admission and availability are not included unless confirmed.
AMUSEMENTRESORTHOSPITALITYSOCIALHIGH ENERGY
A job-and-experience category, not one guaranteed destination. Roles listed only where they exist in an approved current offer.
THE SUMMER HAPPENS OUTSIDE THE POSTCARD
No featured destination matches that filter — try another.
EVERY PARTICIPANT · EVERY DESTINATION
You never fly without an address.
Most employers provide housing with the position. Where an employer does not, EARN&GO USA and your sponsor find and secure your accommodation together — before you leave, not after you land. No participant of ours departs with housing unresolved.
Cost, standard and location differ by destination and employer, and rent is your own expense — but the address is confirmed in writing before your flight.
Package 03 · Premium is not shown among these five — those destinations are matched individually, so ask us. These five are featured examples, not the full list. Across our sponsor partners there are 200+ locations and 1000+ positions in 15+ states each season — beach towns, mountain resorts, waterparks, amusement parks, lakes and national parks. Tell us the kind of summer you want and we will show you what is actually open for 2027. No placement, admission, excursion or partnership with any named attraction is implied.
Find your fit — five questions
Ask yourself: Can I manage the confirmed housing cost? How will I reach every scheduled shift? Big social scene or a smaller community? Comfortable living far from a major city? Will this still fit after week one's excitement fades?
Other seasonal destinations may be available depending on sponsor and employer options for the season.
POPULAR ≠ RIGHT FOR YOU
These are destination examples, not guaranteed placements. Exact jobs, wages, housing and transport depend on the confirmed program, sponsor and employer — and not every destination is available every season.
03
CHAPTER 03
THE PATH & DOCUMENTS
FROM APPLICATION TO FIRST SHIFT.
The complete route, one stage at a time — and the documents that carry you through it.
THE ROUTE · WHO DOES WHAT · YOUR DOCS
THE PATH & DOCUMENTS · YOUR ROUTE
THE ROUTE, IN ORDER.
Apply → interview → program & position → sponsor review → DS-2019 & SEVIS → visa appointment → pre-departure → travel → check-in → first shift → travel period → return.
EARN&GO USA prepares and guides you locally.
Official U.S. J-1 sponsor issues the DS-2019 and manages SEVIS.
U.S. Embassy makes the final visa decision.
Your documents — carry / save / never
Carry with you: passport, J-1 visa, original DS-2019, flight & arrival info, essential contacts.
Save securely: protected digital copies, insurance info, employer & housing details, sponsor instructions.
Never in checked luggage: passport, DS-2019, essential medication, arrival info, immediate valuables.
SEASON 2027 · THE CALENDAR
TWO DATES DECIDE EVERYTHING.
The season has a start and a hard end. Everything in between depends on how early you move.
1 MAR
FINAL APPLICATION DEADLINE FOR SEASON 2027. Nothing is accepted after this date.
15 OCT 2026
Applications open
The season starts. Early applicants get the widest choice of destinations, positions and interview slots.
OCT – FEB
Interview, program & position
Selection, matching to an available position, and sponsor review of your file.
1 MAR 2027
Applications close
The final deadline for the 2027 season. Applying earlier is not a small advantage — it is the whole advantage.
AFTER MATCH
DS-2019 & visa appointment
The sponsor issues the DS-2019; you attend your U.S. Embassy appointment. Timing depends on sponsor and embassy availability.
PRE- FLIGHT
Preparation & departure
Pre-departure guidance, arrival plan, funds and contacts. Travel dates follow your confirmed program.
SUMMER
Work & travel period
Your work period, then the permitted travel period — and return within the authorised dates.
Exact departure, work-start and return dates are set by your confirmed program, sponsor, employer and university calendar. The two fixed dates above are the EARN&GO USA application window for Season 2027.
EARN&GO USA DOES NOT ISSUE THE DS-2019
Only the designated U.S. J-1 sponsor issues the DS-2019 and manages your SEVIS record. Follow the latest instructions from your sponsor and U.S. authorities.
THE TRUST BEHIND THE PROGRAM
A REAL U.S. PROGRAM. AUTHORIZED OVERSIGHT.
WHY THIS MATTERS
Your program runs under an authorized U.S. J-1 sponsor — not an agency promise.
An authorized U.S. sponsor carries formal oversight of your exchange program. EARN&GO USA prepares and supports you locally; the sponsor holds program authority.
The sponsor issues the DS-2019, manages your SEVIS record, sets required approvals and provides sponsor emergency support.
EARN&GO USA guides you locally, in your language, before and during the program.
The employer runs the workplace, schedule and supervision.
You keep communication, compliance and personal responsibility.
SUMMER WORK & TRAVEL · SPONSOR PARTNERS
EARN&GO USA works with these U.S. J-1 sponsor organisations for Summer Work & Travel. Your DS-2019 is issued by the sponsor assigned to your confirmed program.
Sponsor partners vary by season, program and available positions. The specific sponsor for your program is confirmed in writing before departure. Logos are the property of their respective organisations.
EARN&GO USA IS NOT THE VISA SPONSOR
EARN&GO USA provides local preparation and guidance. The authorized U.S. J-1 sponsor retains formal program authority. The U.S. Embassy makes the final visa decision.
04
CHAPTER 04
BEFORE YOU FLY
PACK RIGHT. LEAVE READY.
The last weeks decide how smooth the first ones feel. Prepare money, documents and contacts before the airport.
PREPARE · MONEY · CONTACTS · PACKING
BEFORE YOU FLY · GET READY
LEAVE HOME PREPARED.
THE ONE THING TO REMEMBER
Carry enough money for your first weeks — before any pay arrives.
Confirm arrival, housing and employer instructions in writing.
Bring accessible funds for rent, deposit and first-weeks costs.
Your U.S. eSIM — install and activate it before you fly, so you land connected.
Know your arrival plan: airport, onward travel and who to contact.
Save every key contact offline, including 911 and your sponsor line.
Pack documents in your carry-on — never checked luggage.
MH
Maja Hristova
22 · Skopje · Season 2026
"Half the problems I had would never have happened if I had found out a few basic things in advance."
„Претходно да се информираш: каде одиш, каде се пазарува, како функционира местото. Половина од проблемите што ги имав немаше да ги имам ако однапред знаев неколку основни работи."
INCLUDED FOR EVERY PARTICIPANT
A U.S. eSIM — before you fly.
Every EARN&GO USA participant receives a U.S. eSIM before departure, with activation instructions. You land connected: maps, your employer, your sponsor, your family and 911 — from the first minute at the airport.
An eSIM requires a compatible, carrier-unlocked phone. Tell us before departure if your phone does not support eSIM.
INCLUDED FOR EVERY PARTICIPANT
Your transfer from the airport to your accommodation.
Every EARN&GO USA participant is transferred from the arrival airport to their accommodation. It is included in your program price — you do not arrange it and you do not pay for it on the day.
Send us your final flight details before departure, and message us immediately if your flight is delayed, rerouted or cancelled. Your transfer is arranged around the flight information we hold.
INCLUDED FOR EVERY EARN&GO PARTICIPANT
EARNGO USAREADY KIT™
PACKED FOR AMERICA. READY FROM DAY ONE.
WE DON'T JUST SEND YOU TO AMERICA. WE PREPARE YOU FOR AMERICA.
A practical kit designed to keep your first days connected, organized and under control.
01
WATERPROOF CROSSBODYwith RFID passport sleeve
02
USA POCKET GUIDEpassport-size, made for real life
03
U.S. TRAVEL ADAPTERwith USB-C and USB-A
04
3-IN-1 CHARGING CABLEone compact cable, less clutter
05
SLIM CARD HOLDERready for your U.S. bank card
06
EARNGO eSIMconnected from the airport
07
YOUR USA SAFETY LINKemergency card + QR access to the digital EARNGO USA Hub
OPEN THE POCKET GUIDE
The answers you need before you need them.
+
A short, visual guide for the moments when you should not have to search through a group chat.
YOUR FIRST 24 HOURS
DOCUMENT CHECK
MONEY, TAX & TIPPING
SSN & PAYCHECKS
eSIM & TRANSPORT
URGENT CARE OR ER?
SAFETY & YOUR RIGHTS
SPONSOR & EARNGO CONTACTS
J-1 / SEVIS: contact your official sponsor first. Immediate danger: call 911. 24/7 J-1 Emergency Hotline: 1-866-283-9090.
YOUR USA ERA STARTS NOW.OPEN · PACK · FLY
BEFORE YOU EVEN LEAVE
YOU WILL ALREADY KNOW PEOPLE WHEN YOU LAND.
Nobody from EARN&GO USA travels as a stranger. Months before the flight, your season is already talking.
01
The candidate portal
On earnandgousa.com. See who else is going to your destination and connect with them before you fly — the people you will share a shift, a bus and a kitchen with.
02
The season WhatsApp group
Where participants talk to each other: what to pack, where to shop, how the bus works, who wants to split a trip on the days off.
03
The EARN&GO Viber channel
Official announcements only, straight from us: deadlines, document steps, program updates. One direction, so nothing important gets lost in the chat.
Why the split matters: anything official comes from the Viber channel, never from the group. A group is a good place to find a roommate and a bad place to get a rule. If something in the chat sounds like advice about your visa, your hours or a second job, ask us — that is what the support line is for.
DON'T BUY NON-REFUNDABLE TRAVEL EARLY
Do not purchase non-refundable travel before visa issuance and before following your confirmed program's travel instructions.
05
CHAPTER 05
LAND WITH A PLAN
LAND. BREATHE. GET ORIENTED.
Airport to address, first actions, SSN, banking and local orientation — the right steps in the right order.
Inspect housing, read the rules, find food, water and a pharmacy, confirm your route to work.
72H
Enter the program
Complete sponsor check-in, confirm first schedule and supervisor, save emergency contacts.
MH
Maja Hristova
22 · Skopje · Season 2026
"I couldn't sleep and I couldn't wake up. I was sure I would never adjust. After two weeks my body settled on its own — I just had to get through it and not panic."
„Промената на временските зони ме погоди сериозно… По две недели телото само си дојде на свое. Само требаше да издржам тој период и да не паникувам."
SSN, banking & local orientation
Social Security Number: we take you through the whole application — the office, the appointment, the documents and what happens on the day. The Social Security Administration issues the number itself, and timing cannot be guaranteed.
U.S. bank account: we tell you which bank to use and walk you through opening the account step by step, including the documents you'll need. Approval is the bank's own decision.
Local orientation: finding groceries, pharmacy, transport options and your route to work.
INCLUDED FOR EVERY PARTICIPANT
Your SSN appointment and your bank account — done with you, not explained at you.
EARN&GO USA takes every participant through the Social Security appointment and the bank account: which office, which appointment, which documents to bring, which bank to use and exactly how the account is opened. You do not have to work out any of it alone in a foreign system.
The Social Security Administration issues the number and the bank approves the account — neither decision is ours, and neither has a guaranteed timeline. Everything up to those two decisions, we do with you.
YOUR TRANSFER RUNS ON THE FLIGHT DETAILS WE HOLD
Your airport-to-accommodation transfer is included — but it is booked against the flight information you send us. Confirm your final details before departure and contact us immediately if anything changes at the airport. Separately: EARN&GO USA cannot issue an SSN or guarantee bank-account approval.
06
CHAPTER 06
WORK & MONEY
YOU LANDED. NOW MOVE.
The paycheck is real. So is the rent, the tax line and the shift you can't be late for.
THE JOB · THE MONEY · THE SECOND-JOB RULE
WORK & MONEY · MONEY, WITHOUT THE FANTASY
MONEY, WITHOUT THE FANTASY.
THE ONE THING TO REMEMBER
Gross pay is not what stays in your pocket. Plan around the remainder.
OH
Ognen Hristoski
21 · Skopje · Season 2026
"Nobody explained gross versus net to me, or how much money you actually need before your first pay lands."
„Што значи нето, а што бруто плата. Како да си го организирам буџетот. И колку пари реално ти требаат за почеток — пред првата плата да ти легне. Тоа никој не ми го објасни."
Before you agree to anything, know these five actions.
Build a budget before departure.
Keep an emergency reserve separate from spending money.
Track spending from your first week.
Understand every housing deduction in writing.
Plan travel only after essential expenses are covered.
THE TEAM BEHIND THE SHIFTFOOD & BEVERAGEGUEST SERVICESHOW UP READYLEARN THE PACESKILL IS BUILT ONE SHIFT AT A TIME
MONEY MOVES · ENJOY WHAT YOU EARNED
EARN IT. PLAN IT. LIVE IT.
Your summer is not only about the paycheck. It is about learning how to budget, save and enjoy the experience without losing control of your money.
MONEY MOVES · THINK AHEADENJOY WHAT YOU EARNED
NO SPONSOR APPROVAL? NO SECOND JOB.
A second job can begin only after your designated U.S. J-1 sponsor reviews and approves it. A manager's "yes" is not approval.
2027 PROGRAM PRICE · NO GUESSING
CHOOSE YOUR LEVEL OF SUPPORT.
Three clear packages. Four staged payments. The price and timing below follow the Season 2027 program agreement.
01Support plan You organize moreSWT CLASSICThe essentials are covered. You take care of the rest.FROM$2,490+
Or EUR equivalent at the NBRNM middle exchange rate on payment date.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Job offer
Sponsor coordination
DS-2019 support
SEVIS fee (USD 35)
Health insurance for the full DS-2019 period
U.S. eSIM before departure
Transport to the airport in North Macedonia
U.S. airport-to-accommodation transfer
Accommodation secured before departure
SSN and U.S. banking guidance
Second-job position submitted to the Sponsor for approval
Post-arrival support, 07:00–20:00 CET, 7 days a week
NOT INCLUDED
International airfare — you book it yourself
$185 DS-160 visa fee
$250 Visa Integrity Fee
Accommodation deposit and rent
Local transport and personal expenses
Known program + listed U.S. visa fees$2,925*
02Support plan Most supportedSWT HORIZONTravel, arrival and everyday support — handled.FROM$3,390+
Or EUR equivalent at the NBRNM middle exchange rate on payment date.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Everything in SWT CLASSIC
Economy airfare included, up to $900
Personalized interview preparation
Extra preparation for living and working in the USA
Priority communication with the EARN&GO USA team
NOT INCLUDED
$185 DS-160 visa fee
Dedicated advisor
Priority processing
Pre-departure second-job opportunity
Known program + listed U.S. visa fees$3,825*
03Support plan Maximum supportSWT INFINITYMaximum preparation and priority support, end to end.FROM$3,890+
Or EUR equivalent at the NBRNM middle exchange rate on payment date.
WHAT'S INCLUDED
Everything in SWT HORIZON
$185 DS-160 visa fee
Dedicated advisor
Priority processing
Pre-departure second-job opportunity*
CONDITIONS
Second-job opportunity is subject to sponsor, employer and availability terms
Housing and personal expenses remain separate
Known program + listed U.S. visa fees$4,140*
*Known total is not your complete summer budget. It combines the package price with the listed U.S. visa fees: $185 DS-160 where it is not already included, plus the $250 Visa Integrity Fee. Housing deposits, local living costs, personal spending, excess baggage and unrelated costs remain separate. Full inclusions, exclusions and refund rules are governed by your signed agreement.
THE RETURN ON YOUR SUMMER
THE SUMMER CAN PAY FOR ITSELF — AND FOR MANY PARTICIPANTS, IT DOES.
You invest before departure, then earn throughout the season. With the confirmed wage and hours in their offer, many students recover the program cost and essential summer expenses. Good hours, tips, approved overtime or a sponsor-approved second job can mean returning home with additional savings too.
This is a realistic planning outcome, not an income guarantee. Your result depends on your confirmed wage, actual hours, taxes, housing, personal spending and any additional work approved by your designated U.S. sponsor. Test your own numbers in the calculator below.
WHAT YOU PAY — AND WHEN
Stage
CLASSIC
HORIZON
INFINITY
1 · Sign the agreementwithin 3 business days
$400
$400
$400
2 · Receive your job offerwithin 5 business days
$1,250
$1,700
$1,900
3 · DS-2019 is issuedimmediately, within 3 business days
$440
$800
$1,000
4 · Your visa is approvedwithin 5 business days
$400
$490
$590
If your visa is denied, Instalment 4 is not charged. Of everything already paid, a total of USD 500 is non-refundable — or the amount your Sponsor organization retains in case of visa denial, where that amount is higher (the per-sponsor figures are listed in the Schedule to Annex B, which you sign before Instalment 1) — retained by EARN&GO USA to cover the sponsor’s own non-refundable retention and the administrative work already done. Everything else is refunded, provided the sponsor is notified of the refusal within 48 hours of your interview. Government fees already paid to the U.S. authorities (SEVIS, DS-160, Visa Integrity Fee) are never refundable by us or by the sponsor. Full conditions are in Annex B of your signed agreement.
STUDENT FINANCING · IN DEVELOPMENT
YOUR BUDGET SHOULD NOT END THE CONVERSATION.
EARN&GO USA is developing a dedicated SWT financing pathway with Komercijalna Banka, designed around a verified program file and your documented U.S. work plan.
UP TO €6,000proposed working limit
UP TO 18 MONTHSproposed repayment period
PAYCHECK GRACEproposed until first or second U.S. salary
UP TO 48 HOURSproposed decision target after a complete file
This financing pathway is currently a non-binding proposal, not a live guaranteed credit offer. Launch, availability, amount, grace period, approval, security, interest and every final term are determined solely by Komercijalna Banka after its credit assessment. EARN&GO does not approve or guarantee credit.
Enter your real wage, hours and costs. Everything is estimated per week and calculated privately on your device.
START FROM A DESTINATION
These fill the fields with indicative market figures for a non-tipped position, so you have somewhere to start. Tips are deliberately not included. Replace every number with your own confirmed offer as soon as you have it.
STEP 1 · YOUR WORK
$
$
%
STEP 2 · YOUR WEEKLY COSTS
$
$
$
$
$
STEP 3 · YOUR ESTIMATED SCENARIO
Estimated gross / week$0
After estimated tax$0
Living costs / week$0
ESTIMATED REMAINDER / WEEK$0
Across 12 weeks (estimate)$0
This is a planning estimate, not an income promise. The 12% tax withholding is an editable planning assumption, not tax advice — actual withholding and final tax obligations vary. Actual hours, earnings, deductions and costs vary by employer, destination, season and personal choices. One-time costs (airfare, program fees, SEVIS, deposits) are not included here. All calculations run locally in your browser — nothing is sent or stored anywhere.
Open the real earnings math
THE REAL EQUATION
Gross pay+
Tax withholding−
Housing−
Food−
Local transport−
Phone & essentials−
Personal spending−
ESTIMATED REMAINDER= ?
So what is actually left at the end of a season?
Below is what this calculator produces on the indicative figures for each destination — after housing, food, transport, phone and personal spending, across the full season. These are not earnings we promise you. They are arithmetic you can redo yourself, above, with your own confirmed offer.
DestinationBase wage onlyWith tips, overtime or an approved second job
Read the left column first. It is a non-tipped position at the local rate, 38 hours a week, no overtime and no second job — and it is a completely normal season. The right column requires something extra: a tipped role, approved overtime, or a second job your sponsor has approved. Those are real, and they are also the difference between the two columns.
Neither figure includes your flight, program fee, SEVIS fee, insurance or housing deposit. Tips, overtime and additional work are never guaranteed.
Plan across three honest scenarios — never assume the best one.
A — CAUTIOUS
Fewer confirmed hours or higher living costs. Plan as if this is your season.
B — EXPECTED
A reasonable estimate built on your confirmed offer and known costs.
C — STRONGER SEASON
More approved hours or controlled expenses. A bonus, never a guarantee.
Estimate only — hours, earnings, deductions and costs vary by employer, destination and program. A full interactive calculator lives in the complete handbook.
Print & PDF show all details expanded automatically.
LIFE IN AMERICA
THE AMERICA BETWEEN THE LANDMARKS.
Most of your summer happens in ordinary moments — the shift, the bus, the grocery store, the shared kitchen and the conversations nobody planned.
COOK TOGETHERORDINARY NIGHTSNEW FRIENDSHIPSTIME OFF
DP
Darko Petreski
19 · Bitola · Season 2026
"When I arrived I was lost — which trip, where, what to see. It felt like the money would never stretch, everyone was going somewhere, and I was scared. With a plan I would have seen more, for less."
„Дека треба да си направиш план за патувања уште пред да заминеш… Сè ми изгледаше дека нема да ми стигнат парите, сите некаде одеа, мене ми беше страв… Ама со план ќе стигнев и повеќе, и поевтино."
Cities, events and attractions named here are this participant's own experience during permitted time off. Access, admission, transport and partnership are not included or implied.
NEW YORKCALIFORNIAWASHINGTON, DCTHE ROAD BEYOND WORK
01TAX AT CHECKOUT
Displayed prices may not include sales tax. The total can be higher.
02DISTANCES ARE REAL
Housing, work and shops can sit far apart. Transport shapes the day.
03ROOMMATE AGREEMENTS
Cleaning, quiet hours, bills and space — settle them early.
04ASKING FOR HELP
A question asked early prevents a much bigger problem later.
THE BIG EXPERIENCE IS BUILT FROM SMALL DAYS.
08
CHAPTER 08
SUPPORT IN AMERICA
WE DON'T STOP AT DEPARTURE.
You don't just get sent to America. You get supported through it — before you leave, when you land, and the days after.
THE EARN&GO SUPPORT LINE
THE EARN&GO SUPPORT LINE
FROM YOUR FIRST QUESTION TO YOUR FIRST DAY — AND AFTER.
One continuous journey, from the Balkans to your return. The red line marks the moments EARN&GO supports you through.
BALKANS · BEFORE YOU LEAVE
Preparation
Program & document guidance, arrival instructions, first-days checklist, destination information and your support contacts — plus the candidate portal, the season group and our Viber channel, so you arrive already knowing people.
DEPARTURE → U.S. ARRIVAL
Landing support
Arrival planning, communication support and guidance on where to go and what to do first when you land.
FIRST DAYS
Settling in
Your SSN appointment, your bank account, connectivity, transport, groceries and getting to work — walked through with you.
WORK & LIFE
While you're there
Ongoing communication, problem triage, sponsor-contact guidance, employer-communication help and knowing who to contact when you're unsure — 07:00–20:00 Skopje time, seven days a week, with a reply within 24 hours.
TRAVEL
Experience America
Local recommendations and responsible, budget-aware travel guidance for approved time off.
RETURN
Home stronger
Guidance on required program steps, records to keep, and returning within the authorized period.
SUPPORT IN AMERICA · SECOND JOBS
A SECOND JOB — SORTED BEFORE YOU FLY.
Most participants want a second job. The question is not whether you can have one — it is whether it is approved before you start, or improvised after you land.
HOW WE DO IT
We start your second job from Skopje, not from your kitchen in America.
Where you want additional work, we identify suitable positions and submit them to your sponsor for approval before departure. You arrive knowing what has been approved, who your second employer is and when you can start — instead of spending your first weeks searching, waiting on a decision, or taking something unauthorised because the rent is due.
Approval is the sponsor's decision, not ours, and additional work is never guaranteed. What we can do is start the process early enough that you have an answer before you get on the plane.
UNAUTHORISED WORK CAN END YOUR PROGRAM
Any additional job must be approved by the authorized U.S. sponsor before your first shift. A manager saying yes is not approval. Working without it puts your SEVIS record, your program and any future U.S. visa at risk — which is exactly why we arrange it in advance instead of leaving you to sort it out there.
OH
Ognen Hristoski
21 · Skopje · Season 2026
"Everyone around me already had a second job and I was still looking. So I got systematic about applying. I went from someone looking to someone choosing."
„Сите околу мене веќе имаа по две, а јас уште барав… Од човек што бара, станав човек што избира."
WHO PROVIDES WHAT
THE SERVICE MATRIX.
Honest boundaries. Who does what — and the conditions that apply.
U.S. eSIM
EARN&GOProvided to every participant before departure, with activation instructions.
YOUInstall and activate before you fly; top up as instructed.
Requires a compatible, carrier-unlocked phone.
Airport transfer
EARN&GOArrival transfer from the airport to your accommodation — included for every participant.
YOUSend final flight details in advance; report any change immediately.
Covers the arrival transfer to your accommodation.
Housing
EMPLOYERProvides housing with most positions.
EARN&GOWhere the employer does not, we secure your accommodation with the sponsor before departure.
YOUPay the rent and respect the house rules.
Cost, standard and location vary by destination and employer.
Second job
EARN&GOIdentifies suitable positions and submits them for sponsor approval before departure.
SPONSORReviews and approves. No approval, no first shift.
YOUTell us early if you want one, and never start work before approval.
Availability, hours and approval are never guaranteed.
SSN & banking
EARN&GOFull guidance for every participant: the SSN appointment, the documents, which bank and how the account is opened.
YOUAttend the appointment with the documents we prepare with you.
The SSA issues the number; the bank approves the account. Timing is not ours to guarantee.
Ongoing in-country support
EARN&GOCommunication, triage and local practical advice.
Condition: support hours & channels to be verified.
Emergencies
911Life-threatening emergencies — always first.
SPONSORProgram emergencies.
EARN&GO does not replace emergency services, doctors, police, the sponsor, employer or insurers.
WHEN YOU CAN REACH SOMEONE
THERE IS NO HOUR WITH NOBODY.
Two lines cover your summer, not one. What changes through the day is not whether someone answers — it is who.
YOUR U.S. SPONSOR
24 / 7
Every hour of every day, in the United States, in English. Program emergencies, serious placement problems, anything that cannot wait.
EARN&GO USA
07:00 — 20:00
Skopje time, seven days a week · WhatsApp · Viber · phone · email. Thirteen hours a day, every day of your season, with people who speak your language and already know your file.
Our window where you are Ocean City · Myrtle Beach · Florida · most parks01:00 – 14:00
Our window where you are Wisconsin Dells00:00 – 13:00
Life-threatening emergency — call 911 first. Always, at any hour.
Program emergency, any hour — your sponsor's 24/7 line.
Everything else — EARN&GO USA, 07:00–20:00 Skopje time, seven days a week. Anything that reaches us outside the window is answered within 24 hours.
Our thirteen hours are built around your night, not our office. Finish a late shift at midnight with a problem, and Skopje is already awake. Through your afternoon and evening the sponsor's line carries it — so the cover never breaks, it only changes hands. Seven days a week, no weekend gap, and nothing waits longer than 24 hours for an answer.
Move together. Know who to call. Have a plan. Safety here is calm preparation — not fear.
CALL 911 FIRST · THEN THE RIGHT CHANNEL
STAY SAFE & SORTED · KNOW THE NEXT MOVE
THE RIGHT HELP STARTS WITH THE RIGHT CALL.
IMMEDIATE DANGER
Life-threatening emergency? Call 911 first.
Not every problem is an emergency. Match the situation to the right contact.
Program / serious placement issue → your official U.S. J-1 sponsor.
Shift or workplace question → employer or supervisor.
Medical or insurance question → insurance assistance / provider.
Local guidance → EARN&GO USA.
MOVE TOGETHERSTAY AWAREHAVE A PLAN · KEEP YOUR PEOPLE CLOSE
Health, insurance & your emergency card
Before you need it: save the insurance assistance number, store your policy details securely, and know how to find an eligible provider.
Non-emergency care: contact the assistance line, explain the situation, ask where to go, and keep all documentation.
Keep these saved offline: 911 · sponsor emergency line · employer · insurance assistance · EARN&GO USA (+389 76 226 655) · a trusted contact at home · your SEVIS ID and DS-2019 number.
The complete handbook includes a screenshot-ready emergency contact card with writable fields.
EARN&GO USA IS NOT AN EMERGENCY SERVICE
For immediate danger, always call 911. For program status, contact your official sponsor.
10
CHAPTER 10
WHAT COMES NEXT
YOU COME HOME BRAVER THAN YOU LEFT.
The flight home is not the ending. It is where the confidence, friendships and bigger plans start showing up.
BRING THE EXPERIENCE INTO YOUR NEXT CHAPTER
WHAT COMES NEXT · BACK TO YOUR FUTURE
TAKE THE SUMMER HOME WITH YOU.
Return to university with more independence, stronger English, real work experience and a clearer idea of what you can handle next.
DP
Darko Petreski
19 · Bitola · Season 2026
"With good time management and a budget, I can see the world on very little money. That is the biggest thing I brought home."
„Сфатив дека со добар time management и организација на буџетот, со многу малку пари можам светот да го пропатувам. Тоа е најголемото нешто што го носам од летото."
BACK TO UNIVERSITY · DIFFERENT ENERGYTAKE YOUR STORY WITH YOU
THE DECISION
NEXT SUMMER HAPPENS ANYWAY. DECIDE WHAT YOU WANT FROM IT.
2027
ONE DECISION CAN CHANGE THE WHOLE SUMMER.YOUR MOVE · YOUR STORY
LB
Lia Bakev
20 · Skopje · Season 2026 · returning
"Next year, I'm going back—no question. New York is my destination. This time, I know exactly what I want and how to make it happen. America taught me what it truly means to live your dream: there are no limits when you're brave enough to go after what you want."
„Следната година сигурно одам повторно. Мојата дестинација е Њујорк. Но сега точно знам што сакам и како да стигнам до тоа. Америка ме научи што навистина значи да го живееш својот сон — нема граници кога имаш храброст да тргнеш по она што го сакаш."
01
CONTACT US
Tell us what you study and what you want from the summer.
02
KNOW YOUR OPTIONS
Eligibility, programs, destinations, costs and responsibilities.
03
START PREPARING
If it fits, begin the official application on time.
Important. EARN&GO USA / WISEHUNTERS INTERNATIONAL DOOEL is not a U.S. Department of State designated Sponsor. We do not issue DS-2019 forms and we do not issue visas. Your J-1 programme is sponsored by a designated U.S. Sponsor; the final visa decision belongs solely to the U.S. Embassy.
SWT is designed for actively enrolled post-secondary students.
QUESTION 2 OF 5
WILL YOU CONTINUE YOUR STUDIES AFTER SUMMER 2027?
You should be returning to your university after completing the program.
QUESTION 3 OF 5
WILL YOU BE AGE 18–28 DURING THE 2027 SEASON?
This is the EARNGO USA applicant age range for SWT 2027.
QUESTION 4 OF 5
HOW COMFORTABLE ARE YOU USING ENGLISH?
You need enough English for an interview, daily life and your U.S. workplace.
QUESTION 5 OF 5
CAN YOU WORK IN THE USA FOR ABOUT 10–14 WEEKS?
Your exact dates are confirmed from your university calendar, sponsor and job offer.
✓
YOUR 60-SECOND RESULT
YOU’RE LIKELY ELIGIBLE.
Your answers match the core EARNGO USA SWT 2027 applicant profile. The next step is the full application, where we confirm your university status, dates, English and program fit.
This quick check is preliminary. Final eligibility and acceptance are confirmed by EARNGO USA and the designated U.S. sponsor. Placement and visa issuance are never guaranteed.
?
YOUR 60-SECOND RESULT
YOUR CASE NEEDS A QUICK REVIEW.
One or more answers need a closer look, but do not rule yourself out. Send us your result and the EARNGO USA team will check which option fits your situation.
