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Co-operative Education

Working in the USA

If you are planning to work in the United States on a co-op work term and are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you will need to do the following:

  1. Apply for a J-1 visa to work in the United States. You can apply for a reduced rate through Cultural Vistas (answer 'CEWIL' on the question asking where you learned about the rate). Contact Cultural Visas for support.

  2. Register with the United States Government. If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and will be in the U.S. for more than 30 consecutive days, you will now need to complete the country's new Alien Registration Requirement.

    The Alien Registration Requirement webpage of the US Citizenship and Immigration Services states that if you are issued an I-94 form upon entry to the US, then you will be automatically registered. Please check your I-94 form upon entry to confirm that it has the correct entry and exit dates. You can also look up your I-94 admission form on the U.S. Customs Border Protection (CBP) website.

If you do not receive an I-94 form upon entry to the U.S. OR if your I-94 form does not have the correct entry and exit dates, you will need to register with the US Government by following these steps:

  1. Create a USCIS Online Account through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (see how-to page).
  2. Submit Form G-325R/Biographic Information Registration through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (see how-to page).
  3. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will review your submissions and will contact you to let you know that you have completed your registration OR to ask you to register and provide fingerprints.
  4. Once your registration is complete, you’ll receive a notice from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that provides proof of registration. You will be able to download a PDF of your registration. You must print a copy and have this copy with you when you travel.

If you are a US citizen

The U.S. State Department also recently eliminated the gender X identifier option on U.S. passports.

If you have the gender designation X on your passport, or you have changed your gender, it is recommended that you contact the U.S. Embassy in Canada prior to travel for guidance on how to proceed.

Additional resources

For further information please consult the Alien Registration Requirement – US Citizenship and Immigration Services.

If you are a Canadian citizen, you can also consult the US Embassy and Consulates in Canada FAQ website for Canadians in the US.

Please review the Government of Canada’s official travel advisories. As well, as part of your Global Experience Course, you were required to register your university-related trip through International SOS for advice and assistance while abroad. If you have not done so, or need to update the dates, please do so immediately.

For additional information, review your Global Experience Course and/or visit UVic’s off-campus travel and safety page.