Become a Sponsor
The State Department welcomes and encourages new organizations to become sponsors of exchange visitor programs.
Interested in Becoming a Sponsor?
BridgeUSA is an educational and cultural exchange that provides study and work-type experiences in the United States for foreign nationals in an effort to further the State Department’s public diplomacy goals. The Department welcomes and encourages new organizations to become sponsors of exchange visitor programs.
The First Step is the Application Process
Resources
- How to become a Sponsor? (PDF)
The Second Step is Application Submission
Submit an application in SEVIS and remit the application fee (identified at §62.17).All applications must be submitted electronically to the specific category mailboxes:
- For College/University students; Professors; research scholars; short-term scholars; specialists; and, government and international visitors program applications: AGExchanges@state.gov
- For Camp Counselor program applications: DesignationCC@state.gov
- For Intern program applications: DesignationIntern@state.gov
- For Secondary School Student (High School) program applications: DesignationSSSP@state.gov
- For Teacher program applications: DesignationTeacherPr@state.gov
- For Trainee program applications: DesignationTrainee@state.gov
Please note:
- No new applications are being accepted for the Summer Work Travel Program at this time. For more information, please see Notice Regarding the Summer Work Travel Program [(76 Fed. Reg. 68808 (November 7, 2011)(Notice)].
- No new applications are being accepted in the Au Pair Program. Please refer to Notice Regarding the Au Pair Program (PDF)
- No applications are being accepted in the Alien Physician Program, as the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) is the sole sponsor for the alien physician category
The Third Step is Department Review
The Department review is a thorough and complete review of the application and all supporting material. During the review process, the Department may contact the applicant organization requesting additional information or clarification.
The initial review, during non-pandemic times, can take from 4-6 months. It is currently taking longer to review applications. We appreciate the public’s patience.
The Final Step is the Department’s Decision
Once the review is completed the applicant will either receive a letter of designation from the Department or a letter of denial. If the application is denied, the letter explains the reasons for the denial. Designation decisions are final and not subject to any administrative appeal within the Department.