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#1The Exchange Visitor Program

The BridgeUSA (J-1 Visa) Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) is a non-immigrant visa program initiated by the United States government to promote mutual understanding between the US and other countries within the framework of this cultural and educational program.

Introduction
The Exchange Visitor Program

Overseen by the US Department of State, the Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) offers opportunities for individuals to study, teach, conduct research, or gain work experience in the United States.

1 Purpose. The purpose of the EVP is to “increase mutual understanding between Americans and people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchanges” and “foster global understanding” by means of mutual educational and cultural exchanges. In addition, the program seeks to foster global awareness and understanding, strengthen international ties, bolster international ties, and cultivate friendly and peaceful relationships between the United States and other nations.

2 Administration. The Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) is overseen by the US Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). The ECA facilitates the implementation of exchange visitor programs by designating over 1,500 designated sponsors, including academic institutions, government agencies, private sector entities, and non-governmental organizations. FUSIA is a designated sponsor in the J-1 intern category.

3 Program categories. The EVP offers cultural and educational exchange opportunities in the United States through 15 different categories of exchange programs such as au pairs, summer work travel, interns, high school and university student exchanges, physician exchanges and more.

4 Regulations. 22 CFR Part 62 is a federal regulation that implements the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (the “Act”), as amended, Public Law 87-256, 22 U.S.C. 2451, et seq. (1988). This regulation governs the Exchange Visitor Program which provides opportunities for foreign nationals to participate in educational and cultural programs in the United States and return home to share their experiences.

5 Brand identity. On October 27, 2020, the Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) introduced a new brand identity called BridgeUSA. This includes a new logo, tagline, and mission-driven language. The terms “BridgeUSA,” “J-1 visa,” and “Exchange Visitor Program (EVP)” are used interchangeably throughout FUSIA’s website and materials.

6 Mutual benefits. The EVP benefits both exchange visitors and American hosts. Visitors become cultural ambassadors and gain knowledge and skills, while hosts benefit from exposure to new ideas and perspectives, fueling innovation and lasting connections. Ultimately, the program promotes a more interconnected and peaceful world by fostering cultural exchange and innovation, creating opportunities for individuals and institutions from different parts of the world to learn from one another and collaborate on important global issues.

7 Statistics. Around 300,000 foreign visitors from 200 countries and territories come to the US through the J-1 EVP each year. Eighty-six percent of exchange visitors are 30 years of age or younger and fifty-four percent of exchange visitors are women or girls.

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Involved parties
The Exchange Visitor Program

Apart from the US Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, the Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) may involve other principal parties to facilate the implmenetation of Exchange Visitor Program (EVP).

1 Program sponsors. Program sponsors are private or public entities designated by the US Department of State to conduct exchange visitor programs. They play a crucial role in facilitating exchange visitor programs and ensuring their success.

2 Host organizations. Host organizations, or “host companies,” are US-based businesses or governmental/non-governmental entities that work with program sponsors as third parties to conduct the EVP.

3 Responsible Officers (RO) and Alternate Responsible Officers (ARO). In the EVP, sponsors appoint RO/AROs to provide guidance and support to exchange visitors. Together, they offer valuable assistance and ensure that exchange visitors remain in compliance with the requirements and regulations of the program.

4 Main Program Supervisors (POC/MPS) and Primary Phase Supervisors (PPS). In exchange internships and training programs, MPS/PPSs are both staff members assigned by the host organization to oversee different aspects of exchange internships and training programs.

5 Exchange visitors. Exchange visitors, also known as J visa holders, are foreign nationals who have been approved to participate in one of the exchange visitor program types. They typically come to the United States to receive training, gain work experience, or conduct research in their field of study, but they may also engage in other activities such as teaching or participating in cultural events.

6 Exchange dependents. Exchange visitors who have spouses and unmarried children under the age of 21 may apply for J-2 visas, which allow them to accompany the exchange visitors to the United States for the duration of the exchange visitor’s program.

7 Partners. Third-party collaboration is common in the implementation of the EVP, with program sponsors often working alongside external entities to facilitate various activities. These can include foreign institutions or organizations that assist in recruiting eligible exchange visitors, as well as domestic entities that screen eligible host organizations.

8 US embassies and consulates. US embassies and consulates play a role in the EVP by issuing J-1 visas to prospective exchange visitors. A J-1 visa is a nonimmigrant visa for individuals approved to participate in exchange visitor programs in the United States. To apply for a J-1 visa, an individual must first be accepted into an exchange visitor program through a designated sponsor.

9 US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). CBP plays a role in the EVP by overseeing the admission of exchange visitors into the United States. CBP officials at the port of entry have the authority to grant or deny admission to the country for exchange visitors based on the presentation of their passport, visa, and DS-2019 form.

10 The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). As a component of the US Department of Homeland Security, the USCIS is responsible for administering the immigration benefits and services under the EVP. They also monitor compliance with the immigration regulations and policies governing the EVP, ensure that the exchange visitors maintain their status and that the program sponsors and host organizations meet their obligations under the program.

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Key terms
The Exchange Visitor Program

1 Visa type. The EVP is often referred to as the “J-1 program” because the “J” class of nonimmigrant visa is issued to exchange visitors and their dependents.

2 Program categories or types. Initially, the EVP only allowed foreign scholars to teach and conduct research in the US. Today, the EVP offers 15 different program categories for qualified foreign nationals to explore.

3 Program period. Every exchange program has a program period, which is the maximum length of time that an exchange visitor is authorized to stay in the US. The program period is determined by the category listed in Section 4 of the DS-2019 form. For instance, exchange trainees can stay for a maximum of 18 months, while exchange interns/trainees in the hospitality occupational category can intern for up to 12 months.

4 SEVIS. Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is a web-based system that the Department of Homeland Security uses to collect and maintain information regarding exchange visitors.

5 Occupational categories. The EVP has several occupational categories available for J-1 internship and training programs. These categories include: Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing; Arts and Culture; Construction and Building Trades; Education, Social Sciences, Library Science, Counseling, and Social Services; Health-Related Occupations; Hospitality and Tourism; Information Media and Communications; Management, Business, Commerce, and Finance; Public Administration and Law; The Sciences, Engineering, Architecture, Mathematics, and Industrial Occupations. FUSIA is authorized to sponsor J-1 interns in a variety of fields, including Arts and Culture; Education, Social Sciences, Library Science, Counseling, and Social Services; Information Media and Communications; Management, Business, Commerce, and Finance; Public Administration and Law; as well as the Sciences, Engineering, Architecture, Mathematics, and Industrial Occupations.

6 Site of activity. The site of activity in J-1 internship and training programs refers to the physical location where the J-1 intern or trainee will carry out their program activities.

7 Form DS-2019. Form DS-2019 is a document issued by the designated program sponsor that enables an exchange visitor to apply for a J-1 visa and enter the United States.

8 Form DS-7002. Form DS-7002 is a training and internship placement plan used by designated program sponsors to outline the specific details of a J-1 training or internship program.

9 Two-Year Home-Country Physical Presence Requirement. The two-year rule applies to certain exchange visitors seeking certain types of visas or permanent residence in the US. It depends on factors such as whether their program was funded by the US or home government, their field of study, and whether they have a US citizen or permanent resident spouse or child who would experience exceptional hardship if they returned to their home country for two years. Those who are subject to the requirement must return to their home country for two years before being eligible for certain types of visas or permanent residence in the United States unless they are granted a waiver.

10 Grace period. Grace period refers to a specific period of time that an exchange visitor may remain in the United States following the completion of their program, for the purpose of traveling, completing academic requirements, or preparing for departure. After completing their program, exchange visitors have a 30-day grace period to depart the United States.

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Eligibility
The Exchange Visitor Program

Below are some general admission requirements for prospective exchange visitors and host organizations. Note that rules vary by program types and program sponsor.

1 Valid passport. Exchange visitors must have a valid passport issued by their home country, with an expiration date that is at least six months beyond the date of their intended departure from the United States, except for citizens of countries that do not have the six-month passport validity rule.

2 English language proficiency. Exchange visitors are required to have sufficient English language proficiency to participate in their program. For J-1 internship and trainee programs, program sponsors may require a higher level of proficiency, such as a minimum score on a test or interview. For Summer Work and Travel programs, a basic level of proficiency is necessary to communicate with others in the work environment.

3 Health insurance. Exchange visitors and their dependents must have health insurance coverage that meets the Department of State’s minimum requirements, e.g., medical benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness, repatriation of remains in the amount of $25,000, medical evacuation in the amount of $50,000 and deductibles not to exceed $500 per accident or illness. The policy must also be underwritten by an insurance company with a certain rating.

4 Financial support. Exchange visitors must demonstrate sufficient financial support to cover their expenses during their program and avoid any negative consequences that may result from insufficient funds. The required amount varies depending on the program category and location, and program sponsors may also set their own minimum requirements.

5 Program sponsorship. Exchange visitors must be sponsored by a designated program sponsor approved by the US Department of State to participate in the EVP. FUSIA is a designated sponsor in the J-1 intern category.

6 Host organization approval. Host organization approvals are required for most categories of the Exchange Visitor Program, including Interns, Trainees, Research Scholars, Professors, Specialists, and Summer Work Travelers. General factors that are considered include the host organizations’ business registrations, reputations, financial stability, past experience with hosting exchange visitors, and ability to provide support and proof. For exchange internship and training programs, new hosts with less than 25 full-time employees or $3 million in revenue require site visits, and all hosts require workers’ compensation that covers the participants unless an exception applies. Other criteria include the locations of the sites of activity which must be within a 25-mile radius from the exchange visitors’ residences, the host organizations’ abilities to provide sufficient qualified, appropriate, continuous, and on-site supervision, and capacities to offer training activities aligned with the exchange visitors’ fields of activity and compliant with federal and program requirements.

7 Non-immigrant intent. Non-immigrant intent refers to the intention of a person to enter the US temporarily for a specific purpose, such as participating in an exchange program, and to return to their home country upon completion of the program. This is in contrast to immigrants who intend to remain in the US permanently. This requirement ensures that the program is used for its intended purpose of facilitating cultural exchange, rather than as a means for individuals to enter the United States to live and work permanently.

8 Background checks. Exchange visitors may be subject to background checks, including criminal history checks and security screenings, depending on the program category and the activities they will be engaged in during their program.

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Program administration
The Exchange Visitor Program

1 Program objectives and activities. Exchange visitors must participate in program activities at specified sites of acitivites that are consistent with their program objectives and the purpose of the EVP an dpogram descripotns. Any changes to the program activities or objectives must be approved by the designated program sponsor beforehand.

2 Maintaining legal status. Exchange visitors are responsible for maintaining their legal status throughout the program, which includes abiding by the conditions of their J-1 visa, such as not engaging in unauthorized employment or overstaying the authorized duration of their stay.

3 Health insurance. Exchange visitors are responsible for complying with health insurance requirements set by the Department of State, which include meeting minimum coverage requirements and ensuring that there are no gaps or interruptions in coverage during the program.

4 Compliance with program rules. Exchange visitors and host organizations must comply with all additional program rules and regulations established by the Department of State and the designated program sponsor. This includes following the terms of the program agreement and meeting reporting requirements.

5 Communication with the designated program sponsor. Exchange visitors and host organizations are expected to maintain regular communication with the designated program sponsor throughout the program. This includes promptly reporting any changes to program activities or objectives and any issues or concerns that may arise during the program. Exchange visitors must also comply with reporting requirements, such as regular check-ins, evaluations of program activities and reporting changes in personal information, program objectives or activities, and any issues affecting the exchange visitor's well-being or deviations from their training plan.

6 Cultural exchange activities. Exchange visitors are expected to participate in cultural exchange activities that promote mutual understanding between their home country and the United States. These activities may include attending cultural events, participating in community service projects, and interacting with Americans in their daily lives.

7 Program sponsor responsibilities. The designated program sponsor is responsible for ensuring that both the exchange visitor and the host organization comply with the requirements of the EVP. This includes monitoring program activities, providing guidance and support to both parties as needed, and reporting any issues or concerns to the US Department of State.

8 Program completion requirements. Exchange visitors must complete their program activities within the specified program duration and return to their home country upon completion of the program. In certain circumstances, extensions may be granted, but only with the approval of the designated program sponsor. For J-1 internships, extensions may be granted at the sponsor’s discretion for up to 12 months, while J-1 trainees in hospitality and tourism programs may be extended for up to 18 months. It is important for exchange visitors to comply with program completion requirements to ensure that they maintain their legal status and avoid any negative consequences.

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