When I applied to the program I was unsure about where I would be living at the time of interviews, so I applied anyways thinking that I’d turn down the interview if I wasn’t in the US. Now, I’m living in a different country but interviews are remote. I was surprised that the message I received today talked about “not being able to change your selected interview location.” Can I still interview if I’m not in my home city?
Of course I know I’d have to fly out of the US if selected.
7 comments
This is a question for your consulate.
Traditionally you need to go to the location you applied through.
If you make it through to being shortlisted, there is an option to switch your departure city to be a different one however.
This has always been the case and is mentioned during the application process, so I think you’re out of luck. Unless you’re abroad for something like an actual emergency, they will be very unlikely to grant an exception.
If the interviews are remote, then you should fine as long as you just show up to the interview on time. The issue is after that fact. You’ll still need to send in your passport and fly out of your consulate and if they have a pre-departure meeting in person, you would need to attend. Also having a US based address would be necessary and getting the physicians note from a doctor in the US as well. If you can fake it for that long then you’re golden. Else, out of luck.
If selected for JET are you willing to leave your new country for it? I am also interviewing out of country (I’m Canadian though) but was told if accepted I would need to be in person in Canada a month prior to departure as that is when they would need my passport, and they would not return it until a day or 2 before departure.
If you are serious about the program I don’t see how interviewing online from a different country is a problem, how would they even know?
Just be aware you need to be back in the States early, you can’t fly out solo, it must be with your departure group.
My daughter interviewed from Rome via the NY consulate. The interview was online. She was able to leave out of LA (closer to home) because the NY consulate and the LA consulate were in the same group. She had to email both consulates. She was also back in the US well before the departure date since she did need to submit her passport for the visa. It seems doable as long as you have plans to return to the US in time to do your predeparture paperwork. I’d say go for the interview and wait to see if you’re offered a spot. You can always decline if the timing isn’t right.
Yes, you can do the interview remotely in a whole different country (source: myself, I was working in SE Asia and did my interview in EST to GMT time zone lol)
I’ve done the interview remotely from outside of the US the past 2 years. Don’t worry about it. Good luck!