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.
