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Additional Resources Basic Eligibility Requirements The Application Process

Basic Eligibility Requirements

Basic Eligibility Requirements
[22 CFR 62.3]

Entities eligible to apply for designation as a sponsor of an exchange visitor program are

• United States local, state and federal government agencies
• International agencies or organization of which the United States is a member and which have an office in the United States
• Reputable organizations which are "citizens of the United States," as that term is defined in [22 CFR 62.2]

To be eligible for designation as a sponsor, an entity must demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the Department of State, its ability to comply and remain in continual compliance with all provisions of 22 CFR Part 62 and to meet at all times its financial obligations and responsibilities attendant to successful sponsorship of its exchange program [22 CFR 62.3(b) and 22 CFR 62.5(b)].

Other Program Requirements
[22 CFR 62.2 and 22 CFR 62.8]

Citizenship [22 CFR 62.2]	Previous Experience	Finances [22 CFR 62.3(b); 62.9(e)]	Cross-cultural Activities [22 CFR 62.8(d)]
Size [22 CFR 62.8(a)]	Program Duration [22 CFR 62.8(b)]	Reciprocity [22 CFR 62.8(c)]

Citizenship
An applicant organization and its officers must satisfy citizenship requirements, as defined in the program regulations. [22 CFR §62.2, Citizen of the United States]

Previous Experience
Applicant sponsors must demonstrate prior experience (the organization or the RO) in administering exchanges. Experience is not limited to the J-1 Exchange Program, and may include the use of other visa classifications through which exchanges are also realized. Applicant sponsors should describe their experience in:

• Recruiting prospective participants
• Screening and selecting participants
• Monitoring participants during their program
• Providing orientation
• Providing participants with assistance, as needed, during the course of their programs
• Overseeing the participants' return to their home countries.

Financial Showing
An applicant sponsor is required to submit a full financial audit with its application in order to demonstrate financial capability to support an exchange program of the size and parameters presented in the proposal. [22 CFR 62.3(b)(2) and 22 CFR 62.9(e)]

Program Size
The minimum size of an exchange visitor program, other than those administered by Federal government agencies, is five participants annually. The Department may in its discretion and for good cause reduce this requirement. [22 CFR 62.8(a)]

Program Duration
The minimum duration of any exchange program, except for those sponsored by Federal government agencies, is three weeks. Short-term scholars are exempt from this requirement. [22 CFR 62.8(b)]

Reciprocity
Sponsors must make a good faith effort to achieve the fullest reciprocity possible in the exchange of persons. [22 CFR 62.8(c)]

Cross-cultural Activities
Sponsors are required to make appropriate cross-cultural activities available to their participants, and to encourage them to share their own cultural heritage, provided this does not delay the completion of their programs. [22 CFR 62.8(d)]

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