Information for Specialist Soccer Coaches

If you already have a written contract from a specialist soccer camp and want to use BUNAC to obtain the J-1 visa that allows you to work legally in the US during the summer, you need to apply to BUNAC’s Summer Camp USA programme. Please follow the application procedure and complete all the paperwork as explained on the Summer Camp USA pages of this website but also note the following information which is specific to soccer coaches.

Fees

The BUNAC registration fee for first time soccer coaches with a pre-arranged contract and interviewed by BUNAC before 31st January 2008 is £210 (if applying in the UK) or €310 (if applying in Ireland). These fees are inclusive of the £25/€40 deposit you pay when you book your Summer Camp USA interview and the £5/€7 BUNAC membership fee. You pay the balance of your application fee at your BUNAC interview. If you are interviewed after 31st January 2008 you will pay a registration fee of £323 (€472 in Ireland).

Insurance

The cost of BUNAC insurance is included in the above fee. Most soccer companies require their coaches to take the BUNAC insurance but some do provide an alternative policy. If yours does, we will provide you with a credit equivalent to the value of the BUNAC insurance premium. Check with BUNAC or your employer if you are not sure which insurance policy applies to you. Note: All soccer coaches are ‘Own Arrangers’, i.e. BUNAC does not arrange your flight to America.

Visa

The US Embassy charges a visa application of $131 and SEVIS (currently £23/€33) but these amounts are subject to change. 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.

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. BUNAC will provide the appropriate CRB/S application forms prior to your interview. We will only accept an existing Disclosure in lieu of making this application if it was issued in 2008 and you can present an original at the interview. Residents of Northern Ireland and Ireland must apply for a Subject Access 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 your soccer company. You must take a copy of your contract, signed by you and your soccer company, to the interview. Please be aware 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 sheet 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.

Important: Contact us before booking an interview to discuss your application if you have ever been arrested, cautioned or convicted of any offence as this will affect your US visa application and it is vital that BUNAC are aware of any record before proceeding with your application.

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 Next for Soccer Coaches’ letter which gives further details of how your application will be processed.

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

The Summer Camps Team