Each summer and winter, representatives of the Department of State pay visits to Work and Travel communities and worksites. This is their chance to talk with host employers and participants in the work environment.
The Primary Goal of Site Visits to Work and Travel Communities and Worksites
The visits ensure that participants are safe, actively engaged in their jobs and have opportunities to join cultural activities. The Department has also been active in establishing or reinvigorating local community support groups. They–like Greenheart–know the involvement of local people are crucial to creating positive experiences and impressions of our country!
This year, monitoring visits will start on July 7. The Department of State tries to schedule visits in advance to large resorts or amusement parks with many participants. They may also conduct “spot visits” (unannounced visits). These can be to communities with participants at many worksites (e.g. Rehoboth Beach or Galveston, Texas. These visits are during normal business hours, and the DOS representative will have identification. They will ask for the main point of contact listed on DS-2019 forms. These are not meant to be any sort of threat to your business. The representatives won’t expect to speak with a participant who is busy guarding a swimming pool or serving a long line of hungry guests. However, the Department expects to be granted entry.
The Department of State’s Virtual Monitoring
In addition to these visits, the Department of State also conducts virtual monitoring. This is done through a survey sent to participants (from jvisas@state.gov). It collects information on participant safety, job and housing satisfaction. It also examines and whether the cultural exchange goals of the program are being achieved. In 2025, this will start on July 7. Together these initiatives allow the Department of State identify risk areas for the overall program and for each sponsor.
As the Senior Director of the Work and Travel Program at Greenheart, I can say that this feedback is incredibly valuable to us. It allows us to adjust our risk management processes and highlight certain matters such as housing accessibility in our participant and host orientations.
Have Questions or Need Advice?
Greenheart does not receive advance notice of specific visits, but we are happy to answer questions and provide advice should a host employer receive notice of an intended visit. Feel free to contact your Greenheart Account Manager or workandtravel@greenheart.org.
Thank you to host employers for accommodating and encourage these interactions. It makes the whole program stronger.