The J1 — Work and Travel USA for students in Ireland
The classic Irish summer: work legally in the USA on a J-1 visa, earn in dollars, live in a beach town with your mates, and travel for a month after. Generations have done the J1 — here's how it works now, pre-arranged job and all.
Jobs & wages
Beach town hospitality
$12–16/hr + tips
Cape Cod, Nantucket, Montauk, Ocean City
The classic Irish J1 posting — staff housing usually included
Hotel / resort staff
$14–19/hr
Boston, Chicago, San Diego, Newport RI
Lifeguard
$14–18/hr
Maryland, New Hampshire, Virginia
Certification arranged before departure
Retail & grocery
$13–15/hr
Resort towns nationwide
Kitchen & barista
$12–16/hr + tips
The Hamptons, Myrtle Beach, Provincetown
Season & deadlines
Summer season
May 15 – September 15
Typically 8–12 weeks of work in June–August (up to 4 months on the DS-2019) + a 30-day grace period to travel after.
The Irish cycle runs nearly a year ahead: bookings open September–November with early-bird deals ('book before Christmas'), in-person hiring fairs with US employers happen in Dublin in January, and job confirmations close around March. Final-year students: note the separate 12-month Graduate Visa below before you book the summer J1.