Pay 
Language 
Currency 
No results found
American work and holiday visa for Spaniards: Complete guide
The Work and Holiday USA visa gives you the chance to enjoy the summer of a lifetime in the United States. Discover how to make it happen!
Living in the United States and being able to work temporarily is no longer a dream, but a reality you can achieve. This opportunity can be granted through the American work and holiday visa for Spaniards or, as it is officially known, the Work and Travel USA visa. If you’re Spanish, a university student, and aged between 18 and 28, you can spend a season working in national parks, amusement parks, or luxury hotels.
In this article, you’ll discover the necessary steps to become one of the beneficiaries, as well as the mandatory requirements you need to meet. We also explain what this scholarship consists of, the fees that apply, the associated costs, and the various jobs you can access through your application. The American Dream is waiting for you!
What work and holiday visas does the US offer for Spaniards?
The United States offers various types of scholarships you can apply for if you want to work in the country. Traditional work visas are known to be hard to obtain, with a high number of applicants. Furthermore, they come with very strict requirements, including the need for a US company to back your application with a job offer.
This is why the Work and Holiday USA programme was created, which, although commonly referred to by this name, its official title is the Work and Travel USA visa. It’s a permit that allows Spanish university students to work temporarily for three months during the summer, plus an additional month of tourism.
Work and Travel USA Visa
Want to spend a summer in the United States and cover your stay with a job? The Work and Holiday USA programme (United States), known as the Work and Travel visa, helps you achieve this. You can live in the city of your choice while working temporarily in one of the offered positions. The goal of this programme is to combine work with tourism and, in doing so, fully experience the country, its quality of life, culture, languages, and customs. Let’s check if you’re a good candidate for this programme!
Who is this visa for?
The Work and Holiday USA visa (United States) or Work and Travel visa is aimed at Spanish young adults aged between 18 and 28, who have completed at least one semester of their studies. Additionally, you need to have a strong motivation to improve your English skills, get to know American culture, and immerse yourself in their daily customs.
Requirements and documentation
There are several mandatory requirements and documents you must have and submit to obtain this visa. It’s important to note that the application for this programme must be made through a sponsoring company, such as Travelingua or Let’s Live USA, which will help you manage all the necessary paperwork. Let’s go over each of them to check if you meet the criteria:
- Nationality and Passport: You must be Spanish and reside in Spain at the time of application. Your passport must be valid for at least six months from your intended entry date.
- Age: You must be between 18 and 28 years old (inclusive) when applying.
- Prior Participation: You must not have previously participated in the Work and Holiday USA (United States) programme.
- English Level: You need to demonstrate an intermediate level of English, either through an interview or an official certificate.
- University Studies: You must have studied, or currently be studying, a degree, master’s, or higher vocational training.
- Availability: You must be available to work 35 to 40 hours per week between June and September.
- Health Insurance: It’s mandatory to have an international health insurance covering medical care, emergencies, and repatriation for the duration of your stay.
- Sponsorship: You need sponsorship from one of the authorized agencies, such as Travelingua or Let’s Live USA.
- Forms: You must complete the DS-160 and DS-2019 forms, which are issued by the organizing company.
- J-1 Visa: Contact the US Embassy in Madrid to get this visa, which allows you to work.
Steps to Obtain the Work and Travel Visa for Spaniards
Now that you’ve checked whether you meet the requirements for the Work and Travel or Work and Holiday USA visa (United States), it’s time to learn the steps you need to follow to get it. If you’re ready to live a cultural and work experience in this country, it’s time to start your application, pack your bags, and set this grand adventure in motion.
1. Choose a Sponsoring Company
As mentioned in previous sections, this visa must be managed through an accredited company by the US Department of State. US. So, the first step is to select one of the companies that collaborate in Spain. Here’s some information so you can get in touch with them:
- Travelingua: You can fill out an online form to get advice and more information, or email info@travelingua.es.
- Let’s Live USA: You can also request an appointment on their website or email info@letsliveusa.es.
2. Choose Your Preferred Destination and Job
Once you’ve chosen the company that will manage your Work and Travel USA visa, you can browse through the different cities where you can work and choose the job that appeals to you the most. Here are some of them:
- Water and Amusement Parks: In Kansas, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Wisconsin, or New York, with jobs such as lifeguard, waiter, operator, cleaner, or customer service, and salaries ranging from €13.00 ($14.00) to €15.00 ($16.00) per hour.
- Luxury Hotels and Resorts: In Montana, Michigan, or New Jersey. You can work as a lifeguard, housekeeper, maintenance worker, receptionist, or cook, with wages between €15.00 ($16.00) to €20.00 ($22.00) per hour.
- National Parks: Such as the famous Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming or Glacier Park in Montana. Common jobs include restaurant work, cleaning, or customer service, with wages from €8.00 ($9.00) to €15.00 ($16.00) per hour.
3. Reserve Your Spot
To start the application process for the Work and Travel USA visa (United States) or the Work and Travel visa, you need to pay €350 ($380) as a reservation fee since spots are very limited. This payment ensures that one of those job positions you’ve been looking at will be yours. You must make the payment directly to the sponsoring company, which will provide you with an account number.
4. Fill in the Application
Next, you’ll need to officially complete the application with your personal details and the job position you’ve chosen. This will be sent to the American company, who will review it and schedule an interview with you.
5. Attend the Interview
The interview will be online, via a video call on platforms like Skype or Zoom, or in person, during one of the fairs organised in Spain. In the interview, you can demonstrate your English level, which will need to be intermediate or higher, depending on the job. The employer will ask you about your professional experience, education, and motivation for choosing that particular destination. Don’t worry, your sponsoring company will provide the necessary guidelines to make sure the interview is a success.
6. Pay the Remaining Amount
Once you have the contract in hand and are assured that the job is yours, you’ll need to pay the remaining amount for the Work and Travel visa, which ranges from €1,645 ($1,780) to €1,745 ($1,880). These amounts cover the entire process management, 24-hour support in the USA, medical and liability insurance, orientation, issuance of the DS2019 document, and an American SIM card.
7. Apply for the J-1 Work and Travel Visa
Now, all that’s left to do is make an appointment at the US Embassy in Madrid to apply for the J-1 Work and Travel visa. You will need to bring all the documentation the sponsoring company has prepared to prove you have a secured job contract. Once you have this visa, your journey will be ready to begin.
Internet While Working, Resting, or Studying in the United States
Now that you know you’ll be spending a summer working and discovering this country through the Work and Holiday USA visa (United States) or the Work and Travel visa, it’s time to think about digital connectivity. While the sponsoring company will provide you with an American SIM card, you might want to consider other options that may offer more features. For instance, to have internet from the moment you land at the airport and use GPS to reach your destination, the eSIM for the United States provides unlimited data only for the days you need and allows quick activation via the app.
Alternatively, with Holafly’s monthly plans, you’ll get a subscription with no commitment, offering 5G coverage across the country and in over 170 destinations without changing your eSIM. If you choose the unlimited plan, you can connect multiple devices simultaneously from $50.50 (€46) per month. Holafly’s monthly plans
Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 160 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍
Costs and Expenses to Obtain the Work and Holiday USA Visa (United States) for Spaniards
In addition to the costs we’ve already covered for obtaining the Work and Holiday USA (United States) visa, officially known as the Work and Travel visa, there are other additional expenses you should also consider to calculate a complete budget. In reality, it’s an investment you can recover through your job salary. Take a look at this table where we break it down for you:
| Category | Approximate Cost |
|---|---|
| Embassy Fee | €160 ($170) |
| SEVIS Fee (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) | €40 ($43) |
| Return flight | between €500 ($540) and €800 ($860) |
| Accommodation (if not included) | from €130 per week ($140 per week) |
| Personal Expenses (excursions and shopping) | between €150 ($160) and €250 ($270) per month |
Approximate expenses for the Work and Travel USA visa.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Work and Holiday USA Visa (United States) for Spaniards
No, you can only work in the position and location selected through the sponsoring company that manages it. You have a list of different locations to choose from, including national parks, water parks, and hotels.
You can stay for a period of 30 days after the programme ends to visit the country as a tourist. During this time, you won’t be allowed to work or study.
The companies that collaborate with this programme in Spain are Travelingua and Let’s Live USA, where you can find all the necessary information to start your application process.
It will depend on the location and the job you’ve chosen, as well as your level of English. Salaries typically range from €1,300 ($1,400) to €2,500 ($2,700), excluding overtime.
The accommodation provided by the companies is usually shared apartments near the job site, with a maximum of four people per apartment.
