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The Exchange Visitor Program
Welcome Brochure
Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs
United States Department of State
The Department of State welcomes you to the United States. We are pleased
to receive you as an exchange visitor. This brochure is designed to help
you understand the purpose and operation of the Exchange Visitor Program
and to introduce you to some of the major requirements of the Exchange
Visitor Program regulations that are most relevant to you.
THE EXCHANGE VISITOR PROGRAM
THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE administers
the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended.
The Act promotes mutual understanding between the people of the United
States and other countries by means of educational and cultural exchange.
The Exchange Visitor Program provides foreign nationals with opportunities
to participate in exchange programs in the United States and then return
home to share their experiences.
Sponsors
The U.S. Department of State designates sponsors to administer individual
exchange visitor programs. Sponsors are U.S. organizations such as government
agencies, academic institutions, educational and cultural organizations,
and corporations. They screen and select exchange visitors participating
in their programs, provide them with pre-arrival information, an orientation,
and monitor their activities.
Sponsors offer exchange visitors cross-cultural activities that will
expose them to American society, culture, and institutions. Exchange visitors
are encouraged to voluntarily participate in activities that provide them
with an opportunity to share their language, culture, and history with
Americans.
Responsible Officers
Sponsors appoint individuals as responsible officers and alternate responsible
officers to advise and assist exchange visitors. These officers issue
the Certificates of Eligibility (Form DS-2019, formerly IAP-66), and conduct
official communications with the Department and the Immigration and Naturalization
Service (INS) on your behalf. Should you have questions about the regulations
or any aspect of your exchange program, your initial and primary contact
is the responsible officer whose name you can find in Block 7, at the
bottom right of the DS-2019 form.
Exchange Visitors
An exchange visitor is a foreign national selected by a sponsor to participate
in an exchange program, and is issued a J-1 visa. An accompanying spouse
and any unmarried children under 21 years of age, may apply for J-2 visas,
with the permission of your sponsor.
RULES — REGULATIONS
IT IS IMPORTANT THAT YOU understand
and abide by the Exchange Visitor Program regulations, U.S. laws and sponsor
rules. Regular contact with your responsible officer will help you keep
current of any changes which may affect your J status. Some requirements
of the Federal regulations and where to find them are indicated below.
Activities and Program Provisions
You entered the United States in one program category, and are required
to engage in that category and subject/field of activity listed on your
form DS-2019 (formerly the IAP-66). You must comply with the specific
program provisions of the regulations relating to your program category.
Insurance
You are required to have medical insurance in effect for yourself and
any dependents in J-visa status for the duration of your program. Some
sponsors provide the required insurance for their participants. Other
sponsors may allow you to make your own arrangements or may help to identify
insurance carriers. Consult with your responsible officer before the start
of your program.
- Minimum Coverage — Insurance
shall cover: (1) medical benefits of at least $50,000 per person per
accident or illness; (2) repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500;
and (3) expenses associated with medical evacuation in the amount of
$10,000.
- Additional Terms — A policy
secured to fulfill the insurance requirements shall not have a deductible
that exceeds $500 per accident or illness, and must meet other standards
specified in the regulations.
- Maintenance of Insurance — Willful
failure on your part to maintain the required insurance will result
in the termination of your exchange program.
Transfers
Exchange visitors may transfer from one sponsor to another only if they
are released by the first sponsor as required by the regulations. A transfer
must be clearly consistent with the intent and purpose of the original
program objective and category. A transfer does not extend the length
of the maximum program duration of the category. Insurance may be obtained
with the new sponsor.
Extensions
An exchange visitor's program may be extended at the sponsor's discretion
to the extent permitted by the regulations. Sufficient funds must be available
to support you and any dependents if a new Form DS-2019 (formerly IAP-66)
is to be issued. Insurance is also required.
Maintenance of Status
You are required to have a valid and unexpired Form DS-2019 (formerly
IAP-66). Sponsors may terminate an exchange visitor's program for violating
U.S. Laws, Exchange Visitor Program regulations or the sponsor's rules
governing their particular program.
Notification
You must inform your responsible officer if you change your address or
telephone number, or complete or withdraw from your program early. Doing
so assists your sponsor in complying with their notification and reporting
requirements to the U.S. Department of State.
Current Regulations
The Exchange Visitor Program regulations are located in the Code of Federal
Regulations, (22 CFR, Part 62 — formerly Part 514). The regulations
are generally available for review at the offices of responsible officers,
universities, law schools, or large public libraries. They are also available
on the Internet at:
http://www.exchanges.state.gov/education/jexchanges
For Further Information
Additional requirements that may apply to you are set forth in the Exchange
Visitor Program Regulations. Review a copy of the current regulations
and consult with your responsible officer.
The address, telephone and fax numbers and web site address of the Exchange
Visitor Program, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, United States
Department of State is:
SA-44, Room 734
301 Fourth Street, SW
Washington, DC 20547
TEL: 202-401-9810 FAX 202-401-9809
Internet address:
http://www.exchanges.state.gov/education/jexchanges
WAIVERS AND THE TWO-YEAR HOME-COUNTRY PHYSICAL PRESENCE
REQUIREMENT [212(E)]
Two-Year Home-Country Physical Presence Requirement
[212(e)]
Some Exchange Visitor Program participants and family members who were
admitted to the U.S. or who adjusted their visa status to J after admission
must return home for a minimum of two years after completing their educational
or cultural exchange program before they can change or adjust their status.
This requirement applies to those whose:
- Exchange program was financed to some extent by the U.S. Government
or your home country government;
- skill appears in the Exchange Visitor Skills List as identified by
their home country government; or
- purpose in coming to the United States was to receive graduate medical
education or training. For details, see {(22 CFR 62.44 (e)] or contact
your responsible officer.
Waivers
Contact information for the Waivers Review Branch is as follows:
Waiver Review Public Inquiry Number: (202) 663-1225
Waiver Review FAX number: (202) 663-8666
Microlog number for status check on waiver requests: (202) 663-1600
Visa Office Homepage: http://travel.state.gov
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