J1 USA Summer 2025 job opportunities
USIT, Ireland’s leading work abroad and J1 experts, has released the first drop of 2025 job opportunities on its Job Hub, with employment available in Chicago, New Jersey, New York State, Nantucket, Myrtle Beach, Los Angeles and San Diego. Students eager to experience this rite of passage are encouraged to apply early to access USIT’s Job Hub and secure their place for an unforgettable All-American summer, filled with invaluable work experience, lifelong friendships, and lasting memories.
Virtual Hiring Fairs will also be held in November and December for some of the most sought-after J1 destinations, including Chicago, San Diego and New York. These fairs, to be announced soon, provide an essential opportunity for students to connect with the largest pool of US employers, including some of the world’s most recognised brands.
The J1 programme is open to students of any nationality studying at a 3rd-level college across Ireland and Northern Ireland, aged 18 and above. It’s a bucket-list experience for many Irish students, with strong interest already building for next year. In 2024, over 5,000 Irish students embarked on their J1 USA Work and Travel Visa from Ireland, and those wishing to do the same in 2025 are urged to secure their place as soon as possible.
The J1 USA programme starts from €999, which includes application processing, legal work papers, job vetting and approval support, five months of travel insurance, a pre-departure J1 orientation and handbook, SEVIS fee, and ongoing support from USIT’s dedicated J1 team. For an additional €300, participants can access USIT’s job placement service, which includes full access to the Job Hub and Hiring Fairs, offering hundreds of jobs in cities and resorts. A deposit of only €99 is required to begin the application process, so students should act fast to secure their dream summer.
A spokesperson from the Department of Foreign Affairs reiterated the value of the J1 programme: “Ireland greatly values our strong people-to-people links with the US. Many of these relationships started through experiences such as travel exchanges between our two countries, facilitated by visas like the J1. As we celebrate 100 years of Ireland-US diplomatic relations in 2024, it is fantastic to see the Irish-American connection being continued, with thousands of students travelling to the US on J1 visas this past summer. We look forward to seeing many more take up this excellent opportunity in the future. The travel experience that the J1 visa programme offers is, for many, a first experience of overseas travel. We encourage anyone planning a J1 experience to be TravelWise and ensure their passport is in date. If you need to renew your passport or apply for the first time, use Passport Online.”
Xaviere Altzinger from TUD, Dublin, who completed her second J1 with USIT this summer, raves about the summer experience: “I loved my first J1 so much, I had to go again this year with USIT for my second J1 summer. I’m planning on doing my Grad Visa with USIT when possible. I can’t get enough of America — I love the people, the travelling, and especially trying all the new food!”
For those still considering their J1 plans for next summer, USIT’s upcoming virtual ‘All You Need to Know’ session will provide an opportunity to get answers directly from a J1 expert. The next free session is scheduled for October 29 at 5.30pm, offering a perfect start to planning this once-in-a-lifetime trip. Registration is available at usit.ie
Attending the Hiring Fairs or engaging in the upcoming virtual session is key to ensuring an unforgettable summer and securing a J1 job early to guarantee the best options. For more information on the J1 USA programme and updates on Hiring Fairs and other events, students are encouraged to visit www.usit.ie and follow @usittravel on social media.