When to Buy Airline Tickets

Once your J-1 visa has been approved and issued, you can proceed to purchase your airfare to the United States. Usually from February to May, participants in the Work and Travel USA program are interviewed at the U.S. Embassy. Once you know that your visa has been approved, you can start looking for tickets. Don't buy tickets before the visa interview, especially if the ticket is purchased at a fare with 100% withholding on cancellation. In case of visa denial, the airline will not refund the full or partial cost of the ticket. Before purchasing, be sure to contact the airline and find out the terms and conditions for canceling or changing dates, as different airlines may have different rules and fares. Related topics: - Where to Find Airline Tickets - J-1 Visa - Possible Visa Interview Outcomes