wow, where to start :) - Page 2

Really? Did they get visas, or are they going to work on their tourist visas? And they were all American? No second passports from EU countries or countries that have WHV programs? Are there seasonal work visas?

It's interesting, because the only young American I ever met who got a visa like that was working at a Swiss snow-boarding resort that made its reputation on employing American snowboarders to do everything, so that guests could talk about it to them. The Swiss then agreed that the number of American snowboarders in Switzerland was nil, and issued the visas.

So, of course, I'm curious about how you did this.

First Synthia you have to tell me about Panama !
We just simply Send the applications to the different countries Embassy's in the USA and had no problems got it the first time around !

Two were applying for student /work visas, one in UK, one in Germany both got their bank accounts opened immediately . ( more than can be said of South Africa it is becoming almost impossible to open bank accounts even for locals with the Fica laws)

Three went to do seasonal work in Spain and France. Another went for the 3months at a time in Italy France and Switserland language courses with work visas.
One went as Au pair in Greece andthe last went to work in the Tourist Industry in UK .
Right now there are 5 more that will be leaving for UK 1st July for the Hospitality Industry for one year,With two more starting in Germany on study /work visas for one year renewable .
Hope that helps.

Google BUNAC.org the have many volunteer, teaching and overseas work experience opportunities

Louise

Ah, the key is the study/work visa. That will work for some of the people posting here, but not all. Don't those visas require a minimum number of hours per month in an approved school? It might be a good possibility for the original poster.

The US sort of blew the summer employment visa issue here. They normally issue about 60,000 per year, but give at least one automatic renewal to anyone who had the same visa in the previous three years (I think). However, when the law was renewed last year, that provision was omitted, leaving only the 60,000 new visas in place. That effectively halved the number available.

Sometimes when things like that happen, other countries retaliate by reducing the number of visas they will issue. These are often tit for tat exchanges, and we've lowered the numbers.