The Department of Energy is a designated Sponsor of the Exchange Visitor Program. The purpose of the Program is to provide foreign nationals with opportunities to participate in educational and cultural exchanges in the United States and return home to share their experiences, and to encourage Americans to participate in educational and cultural programs in other countries.  Educational and cultural exchanges assist the Department of State in furthering the foreign policy objectives of the United States.

DOE currently sponsors exchange visitors on J-1 Visas in the categories of Government Visitors, Specialists, Short-Term Scholars, and Research Scholars.  The Exchange Visitor Program is of critical value to the DOE scientific community.  Over the last ten years, this program has been a vital management tool enabling DOE to bring foreign national researchers and scientists to the U.S. to participate in research programs and projects at the National Laboratories and DOE Program Offices.

The Exchange Visitor Program implements the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (the “Act”) as amended,  The purpose of the Act is to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchanges.  These exchanges are defined by section 102 of the Act, 22 U.S.C. 2452, and section 101(a) (15) (J). The Secretary of State facilitates activities specified in the Act, in part by designating public and private entities to act as sponsors of the Exchange Visitor Program. 

Eligibility criteria and program requirements for the Exchange Visitor Program are described at:  http://exchanges.state.gov/education/exchanges

Laws and Regulations:

Immigration and Nationality Act, Section 102
22 U.S.C. 2452, Section 101 (a) (15) (J)

Public Law 87-256, 22 U.S.C. 2451, et seq. (1988).