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Additional Resources Basic Eligibility Requirements The Application Process

Program Designation

Information on program designation included on this page is organized into sections on eligibility requirements and the application process, as the chart below reflects. Each topic may be accessed directly by clicking on its link. In addition, a brief discussion on redesignation may be found at the end of this page. Please consult the regulations for details. [22 CFR Part 62, Subpart A, Sections 3 - 8] Use the citations to locate the actual information in the regulations.

Designation is written authorization from the Department of State to an applicant government agency or private sector organization approving the administration of an exchange visitor program in specified program categories. Government agencies include federal, state, or local government agencies, and international organizations of which the United States is a member and which have an office in the United States. Private sector organizations may be either for-profit or nonprofit entities. Individuals are not eligible for designation as a sponsor. Please refer to the regulations for details. [22 CFR 62.2]

Designation is not transferable or assignable. Sponsors are required to maintain their legal status. Changes in legal status require the submission of a new application for designation. Please refer to the regulations for details. [22 CFR 62.9(b)]

Only the RO and/or AROs of designated sponsors may issue Form DS-2019 to foreign nationals seeking to complete the objectives of a single exchange program in the category or in one of the categories for which the sponsor's designation was authorized.

The period of designation is five years, with the exception of au pairs programs which are redesignated every two years. However, the Department of State at its discretion may designate programs, including experimental programs, for a shorter period of time. At the end of the period of designation, the sponsor must apply for redesignation in order to maintain active program status. [(22 CFR 62.3), (22 CFR 62.5 - 62.6), and (22 CFR 62.8)]

Although several categories require the submission of separate and complete applications, designation may be obtained for more than one program category with a single application. Applicant sponsors may submit a single and complete application for designation to administer an exchange program in one or more of these categories:

• College/University Students
• Professor
• Research Scholar
• Short-Term Scholar
• Specialist

Applicant sponsors must submit a separate and complete application for designation to administer an exchange program in these categories:

• Au Pair
• Camp Counselor
• High School Student
• Summer Work/Travel
• Teacher
• Trainee

Only federal, state, or local government agencies may use the Government Visitor program category. The United States Department of State reserves exclusive use of the International Visitor program category. The Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) is the only program sponsor authorized to use the Alien Physician program category.

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