US introduces quotas for student exchange programs

The US State Department is introducing stricter quotas for the Work and Travel USA program, Vesti reports.

There have been many complaints from people taking part in the program. Their number will remain at the level of 2011.

Work and Travel USA is one of the most popular international programs for student exchange. Foreign students may visit the US for work and studies for up to 4 months (from May to September). They work in restaurants, hotels, amusement parks, markets. The minimal wage is $7.25 per hour, varies from state to state.

The number of participants rises. There were 20,000 students in 1996, there were 150,000 in 2008. Over a million students have visited the USA via the program in the last decade.

Major limitations are introduced for US sponsoring companies working with foreign students. There are 53 sponsoring organizations, ITAR-TASS reports.