Application information

If you already have a written contract from a specialist soccer camp and want to use BUNAC to obtain the J-1 visa to allow you to work legally in the US during the summer, you need to apply to BUNAC’s Summer Camp USA programme. First time applicants should follow the standard application procedure as explained on the Summer Camp USA pages of this website but also note the following information which is specific to soccer coaches. If you're returning to a soccer camp, or have held a J-1 camp counsellor visa before, please see the returners section. Note: All soccer coaches are ‘Own Arrangers’, i.e. BUNAC does not arrange your flight to America.

Fees and insurance

The BUNAC registration fee for first time soccer coaches with a pre-arranged contract is £223 (€256) including insurance. You pay a £25 (€30) deposit when you book your Summer Camp USA interview, £60 (€66) at the interview and the balance once your application is complete. Please note that the registration fee will rise to £260 (€294) for interviews taking place after 31 December, 2009.

Visa

You will be required to travel (at your expense) to the US Embassy in London (or the Belfast Consulate or Dublin Embassy as applicable) in order to apply for your visa. BUNAC will provide you with full details on how to apply and help you with the paperwork and the procedures. Costs are the same as described for a camp counsellor.

Disclosure/Police Background Check

All participants must provide a Police Background Check as part of their BUNAC application. Residents of England and Wales are required to obtain an Enhanced Disclosure and pay the £36 fee that the CRB charges for this. There is currently no charge for a Disclosure issued in Scotland. Residents of Northern Ireland pay £30. BUNAC will provide the appropriate CRB, Disclosure Scotland or Access NI application forms prior to your interview. We will only accept an existing Disclosure in lieu of making this application if it was issued in 2010 and you can present an original at the interview. Residents of Ireland must apply for a Garda Clearance from their local police station and send a copy of the report to BUNAC.

Other Information

The application fee covers the expenses BUNAC incurs in operating this programme. These include the cost of your interview, visa documentation, US support services and other administrative costs. BUNAC does not deduct anything from the salary you have agreed with the camp. You must take a copy of your contract, signed by you and your soccer company, to the interview. Please note that if you withdraw your application after interview you will be entitled to only a partial refund of your application fee. See the Terms and Conditions page for full information.

You should be aware that this process can take some time. You should allow at least 8 weeks, but preferably longer, from the date of your interview to your proposed travel date. We strongly recommend that you do not book any non-refundable or non-transferable flight tickets until you have been issued with your J-1 visa.

Your BUNAC application is not a formality. We are sponsoring your visa application and must be satisfied that you are suitable to undertake work with children in the US. You are required to fully complete our application forms and submit the references we request for all applicants. You must also submit a Disclosure application. Details of this will be provided in the interview confirmation pack.

If you have ever been arrested, cautioned or convicted of any offence, please contact BUNAC before booking your interview. Any such record will affect your US visa application and so it is important that BUNAC is informed before you apply.

We recommend that you book the earliest possible interview date and follow the instructions closely. At the interview you will be given a copy of the 'What Happens After Your Interview for Soccer Coaches' letter which gives further details of how your application will be processed.

We look forward to helping you spend your next summer in the USA. If you have any questions, we’ll be happy to help.