Ready to begin!

What's next in your Disney International Program journey?

Complete all necessary steps to ensure a successful arrival!

Timeline at a glance

Please note: this is an estimate, keep a close eye on your email so you don't miss an important action item! 

  • NOW
    • Receive Background Check Email
    • Upload Passport and Required Documents
  • 8 WEEKS BEFORE
    • Enroll in housing
    • Submit accommodations requests
  • 6 WEEKS BEFORE
    • Make your visa appointment
  • 4 WEEKS BEFORE
    • Verify insurance
  • 3 WEEKS BEFORE
    • Complete onboarding tasks and I-9 paperwork
  • 2 WEEKS BEFORE
    • Watch immigration compliance video
    • Upload your visa
    • Complete final preparations

Monitor your email

Prior to your arrival, you are encouraged to monitor your email inbox for next steps. It is imperative that each step be completed in the pre-arrival process for a successful start to your program. 

Don’t miss an important message - add
wdpr.disney.housing.message.no-reply@twdc.com to your address book!

Now

1

1

watch for background check email request

1-4 weeks after accepting your offer, our licensed partner company will be contacting you to request additional documents and with further instructions.

This email will come from one of the following depending on your country/region:

Yummy Jobs

From: Jen***@yummyjobs.com
Subject line may say something like: Norway - CRP - Background check

Rocha's Overseas Education & London House School of English

From: lond***@gmail.com

Subject line may say something like: Criminal Background Check for Disney Programs

Student Travel Bureau (STB)

From: stb***@stb.com.br

Subject line may say something like: Cultural Representative Program

Now

2

2

Upload Passport and Required Documents into DOC

If you have not already done so, upload the following documents into DOC immediately:

J-1 Visa

  • Passport
  • Proof of Student Status Form (PSSF)
  • Prior US work visa (if applicable)
  • United States Social Security Number (SSN) (if applicable)

Q-1 Visa

  • Passport
  • English Statement
  • Prior US work visa (If applicable)
  • United States Social Security Number (SSN) (if applicable)

Incorrect or incomplete documents will be rejected and must be corrected and resubmitted in order to be processed.

 

8 weeks prior

3

3

ENROLL IN HOUSING

You will receive an email approximately eight weeks before your program start date telling you to enroll for housing on DORMS. DORMS is the online portal used by Disney Programs.

During this, you will also have the opportunity to:

8 weeks prior

4

4

Submit any work-related accommodation requests*

*If you do not need to request an accommodation, no action is needed.

Learn more about requesting a work-related...

6 weeks prior

5

5

MAKE YOUR VISA APPOINTMENT

  • Receive documents via dashboard

    • J-1 Visa DS-2019 (Cultural Exchange Programs)
    • Q-1 Visa I-797 Visa Approval Notice

  • Verify everything is correct

    If anything is incorrect, contact the Walt Disney World Immigration Compliance Department at IC@disney.com.

  • Make visa appointment

    • Make your visa appointment for the earliest available date. Delays in your visa appointment can cause your program to be delayed or canceled.
    • You will need your DS-2019 or I-797 to make your visa appointment.

  • Log into DOC

    Log into DOC to add your visa appointment date. Once you receive your visa, upload it to DOC as soon as possible.

4 weeks prior

6

6

VERIFY YOU HAVE THE REQUIRED INSURANCE

J-1 Visa – Cultural Exchange Program

As insurance is required by the visa, Disney has made arrangements with Gallagher to facilitate purchasing a medical plan at a competitive cost for all Disney Cultural Exchange Program participants. If you have any insurance benefits questions, please contact Gallagher directly at UniversityServices.GBS.CulturalExchangeIP@ajg.com or by calling 888-441-3719. If you choose to purchase your own insurance, it will need to be submitted for approval. You will receive more information about this via email.

J-1 – Academic Exchange Program

Health and life insurance plans are not provided to J-1 Visa holders. You are strongly encouraged to purchase your own insurance coverage in the event you need medical attention while living in the United States.

Q-1 Visa

The Walt Disney World Resort and its affiliated companies provide health and life insurance plans for employees on the first day of the month following completion of ninety (90) days of continuous service. We strongly encourage you to purchase the appropriate insurance coverage should you need medical attention before this date.

3 weeks prior

7

7

Complete onboarding/Workday tasks

You will receive an email about pre-arrival onboarding tasks to complete:

  • Edit government IDs

    For this page, you should see a column with your temporary Social Security Number (SSN) already filled out. DO NOT EDIT prior to selecting submit.

  • Complete all tasks

    The "Hometown on Nametag" step will be the final task. You will know you are finished with your onboarding tasks when this is complete.

3 weeks prior

8

8

Complete I-9 forms

You will receive an email from The Walt Disney Company I-9 Service Center to complete your I-9 forms. This should be completed at least 10 days prior to arrival. Follow these steps:

  • Upload documentation

    For a list of accepted documents that establish both identity and employment authorization, click here.

  • Section 2

    Participants on the International Program will complete the I-9 section 2 with a Disney representative upon arrival. Please disregard any automated email reminders regarding section 2 prior to your arrival.

2 weeks prior

9

9

WATCH IMMIGRATION COMPLIANCE VIDEO

Please visit training.disney.com and enter your username, password and country of residence. The online course functions best on Google Chrome on a desktop/laptop computer as the modules are not always compatible with smartphones or tablet devices.

If you are having trouble accessing your account, please contact the WDW Immigration Compliance team by submitting a request on the Support Site.

2 weeks prior

10

10

UPLOAD YOUR VISA TO DOC

If you have not already done so, upload your visa to DOC immediately. 

Incorrect or incomplete documents will be rejected and must be corrected and resubmitted in order to be processed.

2 weeks prior

11

11

Make final preparations

  • Start packing

    • Check out our list of packing suggestions.
    • Ensure required documentation is accessible on arrival day.

  • Review the Disney Look guidelines

    Please review the full Disney Look guidelines. You must be in compliance with Disney Look when you arrive. This includes removing any facial piercings, such as nose rings, for your ID photo that will be taken during check-in.

  • Review your itinerary

    Your itinerary will include your check-in time and appointments for your first week.

Don't forget:

12

12

Ensure you have all required documents

  • International Program

    • You must have the following original documentation (copies will not be accepted):
      • Passport with visa stamp (US and Canada passport holders do not require a visa)
      • Original Form DS-2019 with your signature and location/date signed (J-1 visa holder only)
      • Proof of medical insurance (J-1 visa holder only)
      • I-797 Visa Approval Notice (Q-1 visa holder only)
    • You will complete I-9 section 2 with an HR representative on your arrival day.