On June 22, U.S. President Donald Trump signed the following proclamation, titled "Suspending Entry of Aliens Who Present a Risk to the U.S. Labor Market Following the Coronavirus Outbreak".
You can read the full proclamation on the White House website.
https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/proclamation-suspending-entry-aliens-present-risk-u-s-labor-market-following-coronavirus-outbreak/
Unfortunately, this also affects J-1 visas, and in particular the Work and Travel summer 2020 program.
STUDENTS WITHOUT A VISA WILL NOT BE ABLE TO ATTEND A VISA INTERVIEW THIS SEASON.
J-1 visas issued so far remain valid for this season, and people with this type of visa are allowed to enter the USA and complete their program.
At present, however, they will not be able to enter the United States if, in the last 14 days, they have been in or transited through countries of the Schengen Area, the United Kingdom or Ireland.
You can find more information here - https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers/from-other-countries.html
The U.S. Embassy in Bulgaria announced that visa interview fees paid will be valid for 12 months from the date of payment, which means they can be used for a future visa application. However, visa interview fees paid will not be refunded.
We believe that the measures taken are temporary and that as early as next summer many students will have the opportunity to visit America, see its sights, and immerse themselves in American culture and way of life through the Work and Travel Summer 2021 program.