Irish students on J-1 visas must find jobs before leaving for US Published duration 12 November 2015

image copyright Thinkstock image caption The J-1 programme allows Irish students to travel and work in the US during summer holidays

Changes to J-1 work visas mean Irish students hoping to travel to the United States on the scheme will now have to find jobs before they depart.

Evidence of a pre-arranged job must now be provided by those who apply.

The J-1 programme allows students to work in the US during summer holidays.

About 150,000 Irish students have used the scheme to travel and work in the US, according to the US government.

But the Irish government has said it is concerned that changes to the visa will have a negative impact on the number of students taking part in the scheme.

Rewarding

Irish Foreign Minister Charlie Flanagan said the J-1 scheme has been "a rite of passage for many young Irish students" for almost 50 years.

"I am concerned that meeting the requirements of the new rules may prove challenging for many students and this may in turn impact on the numbers of students participating in the programme," he said.

"My department and our embassy in Washington will closely monitor the impact of these changes."

image copyright Thinkstock image caption California is a popular destination for Irish students travelling to the US on the J-1 scheme

A spokesman for the US embassy in the Republic of Ireland said the changes were "designed to ensure greater safety and security of participants and a more rewarding cultural experience" in the US.

Pre-placement procedures for J-1 students are already in effect in other countries, he said, and were "enjoying success".

The US government was "fully committed" to ensuring "Irish students continue to have full opportunity to benefit from the J-1 program for many years to come".

Grilling

Michael Doorley, who runs programme sponsor Sayit, which issues J-1 visas, said the changes would be of benefit to those taking part in the programme.

"Traditionally, students going over without a job have to look around for on average two weeks before they get a job," he said.

"Now, for 2016, students get off the aircraft, go straight to their employer and start earning money straight away."

He added that Irish airports were aware that students travelling to the US must have jobs, and would be carrying out stringent checks.

"If they see students coming through, they will be grilling them more than ever.