Whenever you go anywhere, what is it that you tend to take with you? I usually double check that my phone, keys and purse are in my bag. When I moved from home to uni, I made sure I had everything with me, otherwise it would be a couple of months until I'd go home and take it back with me. And whenever you go on holiday, you make sure your suitcase is within the weight limit, and more importantly, you've got your passport!
There are more things that you must make sure you have before going to work in America. It's not like an ESTA. As working at a camp is technically seasonal work, you need to make sure that you have certain documents with you to enter the country. So what's on that checklist?
The best document to fill in first is your health forms, as it can be done by yourself. Most companies provide a template to give to your doctor to fill in. This'll vary on price. My first health form in 2018 cost around £60-£70; this time it was £110. They even said if they want to x-ray my chest and take blood tests it would cost extra! Luckily the health forms are basic physical examinations, and your vaccination history can easily be double checked. Some camps, like mine this year, require me to fill in a separate form on their own log-in. Use the one filled in from your doctor to fill in the blanks on their own system.
A DBS will also be required. This is your criminal background check. There'll be a link to follow on your application to help you apply for it, with an additional cost. It's an easy process and it'll take around 3-6 weeks for it to be delivered so it's best to do that as soon as possible. Both the health form and DBS will need to be taken with you to camp so keep them safe.
Your visa is the most important document you'll need. You can't enter the country without them. Once your application has been accepted your documents are sent to you in the post and your SEVIS receipt will be sent to your application. Don't worry; the company you'll go with will send instructions on how to apply for everything. Most importantly, you must print your SEVIS receipt, and have a recent photograph of yourself in 12X12. This cannot be your passport photo as they are smaller than what is required.
After printing off everything you need you must go to your closest US embassy. It'll tell you what documents you must bring with you. After your appointment, these documents will be taken along with your passport. After everything's approved they'll be sent back to you. Book your embassy appointment as early as you can to avoid missing your flights out, as your passport is sent away. I managed in 2018 to get my documents back within less than 7 days, but I wouldn't recommend it! The visa is stuck in your passport and you must bring all visa documents with you.
For your own piece of mind, print off all your flight and insurance details. This makes it easier to view and to show anyone if you need help. And don't forget your passport! I always kept my documents in a folder in my hand luggage for easy access. My flight information at the back and my visa documents at the front. Most camps won't have a safe space to store your documents so either ask for storage, or just keep it in your suitcase when you settle in.
When you arrive, the first thing you'll do is get a social security number to open a bank account. Returners, don't forget to bring yours from last time! Some camps will require you to fill in tax exemption forms as well. The camps will sort it out.
Before you leave inform your bank about your travels. This way, if you use it out there, they won't close your account. It works the same back home. If you inform them you're going and not taking your card, they can close the account if it is used in the UK while you're away. Call your phone provider to see if what the charges are for calling and texting as well. This way, you'll know what you'll be charged. Ask if there can be a deal on your contract to reduce the price. I can't guarantee they'll do anything but you never know.
There's a lot to remember to bring! Putting it all in a folder is the best thing to keep it organised. You must keep these documents for when you're back in the UK; they'll be needed for tax forms in the following year.
With the current coronavirus situation, all embassy's have closed to keep safe. All I have to do is sort out my visa. If the embassy doesn't open in time, I'm not sure what will happen. As the summer is still going ahead the best advice is to keep on top of your documents. That means if you're just waiting to get to the embassy, fill in your visa details when you get them, so that if it does open in enough time to still go, you can book it as soon as you can, leaving time for it to get processed.
Keep on top of your documents, and fingers crossed, you'll be counting down the days till you fly to camp!
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