FAQ eligibility

• Who is a full-time student?
• If I am a student, can I register for a non-student destination?
• Am I eligible as a high school student?
• If I am not a student what are my options?
• Is there any flexibility on the age limits for each SWAP country?
• What are support funds (the bank letter)? Why do I need it?
• When do I hand in the bank letter (i.e., show proof of support funds)?

Who is a full-time student? If you currently hold a valid 2006 or 2007 International Student Identity card (ISIC), you are considered a full-time student. To apply for an ISIC card, visit www.travelcuts.com. For USA and Ireland student programs we require further proof of student status.
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If I am a student, can I register for a non-student destination? Yes, of course!
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Am I eligible as a high school student? As a high school student, you are eligible for SWAP Britain, Ireland non-student, France, Australia, New Zealand and Volunteer South Africa. The minimum age for most SWAP programs is 18.
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If I am not a student what are my options? You may register for SWAP Britain, Ireland non-student, France, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, China and the SWAP USA professional Internship programs.
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Is there any flexibility on the age limits for each SWAP country? No. Unfortunately, the foreign governments set the age limits, and we must abide by these restrictions.
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What are support funds (the bank letter)? Why do I need it? Before a work visa is granted, the foreign governments have the responsibility of ensuring that you are entering their country with the necessary support funds. Since you’ll be incurring basic living expenses (such as first and last month's rent and food), this money is intended to help you settle in and tie you over until you have found employment and your first paycheck arrives. You are not required to pay this sum to either SWAP or the foreign government. You simply have to prove, in the form of a bank letter, that you have the adequate amount of support funds. The amount required for the bank letter is set by foreign governments and may change at any time. Please note that lines of credit and investments will not be accepted as support funds.
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When do I hand in the bank letter (i.e., show proof of support funds)? In your Welcome Pack, we provide you with a standard bank letter that you can take to your financial institution. Once completed by your bank, this form indicates how much money you have available in your account. Return the completed bank letter to your travel counsellor at the same time you hand in your visa forms, anywhere from three to six weeks prior to your departure depending on the SWAP destination. Therefore, you don’t need to be concerned about having the correct amount of funds in your bank account at the time you initially register for SWAP.
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