May 2023 marks the 10th anniversary of the Exchange Visitor Program’s Office of Private Sector Exchange Program Administration (OPA) The J-1 Visa Exchange Visitor Program has undergone many changes since its creation through the Fulbright-Hays Act in September 1961. At its core, the Exchange Visitor Program seeks to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchange. All foreign nationals that participate in the Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs’ (ECA) inbound exchange programs travel on J-1 exchange visitor visas. Over 90% of the approximately…
What is a Form DS-2019? The Form DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status (J-Nonimmigrant), is a controlled document used in the administration of the Exchange Visitor Program. Designated sponsors are authorized to complete and issue Forms DS-2019 to prospective exchange visitors and their spouses and dependents, if any, that have been screened and selected for participation in the Exchange Visitor Program. Sponsors generate Forms DS-2019 through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). The forms are used by prospective exchange visitors and their spouses or dependents, if any, to seek an interview at an U.S. embassy…
By: Abigail Graszl of InterExchange From researching cell cytotoxicity in a molecular biology lab to having technical discussions with electrical engineers, Career Training USA interns and trainees are completing amazing programs in STEM (that’s science, technology, engineering and mathematics)! InterExchange is a proud partner of the BridgeUSA Early Career STEM Research Initiative, and these programs strengthen international connections and contribute to the flow of ideas across continents. We recently caught up with some of our female participants to see how their time in the U.S. helped further their careers in these traditionally male-dominated fields. Eva K. Molecular Biology Eva K. from Germany…
There is a Nigerian proverb that says, “The day on which one starts out is not the time to start one’s preparations,” but in the case of BridgeUSA exchange visitors Daniel Enebe and Samuel Eze, the day they met they unknowingly set their international exchange plans in motion. Daniel and Samuel met on the first day of college in 2017 as engineering students in Nigeria. Daniel wasn’t sure he was in the right place for the medical clearance and admittance process on campus. He turned to a fellow student and asked for directions. “He had this natural charismatic aura about…
Nothing says “summertime” like a good old-fashioned bonfire! In the U.S., this summertime tradition is as old as the nation itself. After all, there is no better time or place to connect with nature and with other people than around the warm flames of a blazing bonfire. In June, AuPairCare au pairs and host families alike took advantage of the beautiful San Diego summer weather they were having and met at Leisure Lagoon Beach to gather around a bonfire! The fire, the perfect temperature, and the eventual sunset all combined to make for one unforgettable evening. Like any good bonfire,…
OPA’s SWT/CC Team has two new resource pages for our categories—one for the Summer Work Travel (SWT) program and one for the Camp Counselor (CC) program. We believe these sites would be a great help to exchange visitors considering applying for the EVP, for EVs preparing for their future programs, and for those currently on program. Attached are drafts of the website pages, along with copies of various documents that we would like to see incorporated within them. I based the content of both drafts on OPA’s Au Pair, Intern and Trainee, and AG pages that are currently live on…
Resources for Sponsors: The Office of Private Sector Exchange Administration (OPA) monitors and enforces full compliance with Department regulations and policies with a focus on exchange visitors’ health, safety, and well-being, and responds to complaints and incidents. Incident Reporting: Sponsors are required to report any serious incident that has or could have the effect of endangering the health, safety, or welfare of an exchange visitor. An incident report is required in all situations, but a quick e‐mail regarding an evolving situation, to be followed later by an incident report, is acceptable. * 2023 Camp Counselor Reporting Rubric (PDF) * Incident…
Resources for Sponsors: The Office of Private Sector Exchange Administration (OPA) monitors and enforces full compliance with Department regulations and policies with a focus on exchange visitors’ health, safety, and well-being, and responds to complaints and incidents. Incident Reporting: Sponsors are required to report any serious incident that has or could have the effect of endangering the health, safety, or welfare of an exchange visitor. An incident report is required in all situations, but a quick e‐mail regarding an evolving situation, to be followed later by an incident report, is acceptable. * 2023 Summer Work Travel Reporting Rubric (PDF)…
Video Transcript Slide #1 This presentation covers the Department of State related updates that will be in SEVIS release 6.62. The release is scheduled for the evening of Friday June 3, 2022. Slide #2 As an overview, we will be covering the following topics in this presentation: Automatic e-mail notifications that will be sent to exchange visitors when their status changes The addition of the e-mail address field to status correction pages Added details to certain events in Event History Updates to the Department of State contact information on the Form DS-3036 submission page And the ability to invalidate a…
FOR SPONSORS (Updated 7/7/2020) 07.02.2020 Communication to Sponsors Presidential Proclamation (PDF) 06.27.2020 Communications to Sponsor 60 Day Extensions to Return to Countries with Closed Borders (PDF) (PDF) 06.22.2020 Communication to Student Intern Sponsors Extensions for Time Off-Program (PDF) 05.29.2020 Communication to Sponsors 60 Day Extensions for Return to Countries with Closed Borders (PDF) 05.21.2020 Communication to Intern and Trainee Sponsors Extensions for Time Off-Program (PDF) 05.21.2020 Communication to Au Pair Sponsors Six Month Extensions for Second Year Au Pairs (PDF) 05.07.2020 Communication to Teacher Sponsors: One-year teacher extensions beyond the maximum duration (PDF) 4.06.2020 Communication to Secondary School Student…
Three Summer Work Travel participants from Thailand, pictured from left, Nattaporn Khonghana, Wannida Thongsripleng and Montatip Putawed, are spending their cultural exchange with jobs with the Davidson Hospitality Group at the DoubleTree by Hilton Park Vista in Gatlinburg, Tenn., this spring. In honor of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, they shared information about the Thai new year holiday, Songkran, which took place April 13-15. “Our families celebrate Songkran annually by gathering together with our relatives and then going to the temple to pray and make merit together. We then go to a special dinner and typically have “Mu…
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By: Kristen McDonough of Cultural Care Au Pair. It’s the kind of spring day that makes New Englanders giddy about the possibility of summer: sunny, low 50’s, with a crisp breeze and warm pockets of sun. In other words, a perfect day for running. The crowds are thick, buzzing with the excitement of returning events and Boston unity. Florescent green jackets speckle the racecourse as far as the eye can see, as throngs of volunteers prepare for their hydration and refueling duties. Green and white cups stand in formation, contents vibrating with the energy of preparation, while patiently waiting for the many…
Deputy Secretary of State for Management and Resources Brian P. McKeon traveled to Miami, Florida, from March 29-30. The Deputy Secretary visited State Department operations in South Florida, including the Miami Passport Agency and the Diplomatic Security Service (DSS) Miami Field Office. The Deputy Secretary also connected with local university and business communities in South Florida. He visited Florida International University, as part of continued efforts to engage with diverse students on U.S. foreign policy priorities and careers with the State Department. Deputy Secretary McKeon spoke at the University of Miami to a group of local and international students, as…
