Sponsors
The Department of State administers the Exchange Visitor Program under the provisions of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, as amended (The Act). The Exchange Visitor Program furthers foreign policy interests in increasing mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of mutual educational and cultural exchanges. The Exchange Visitor Program provides foreign nationals opportunities to participate in exchange visitor programs in the United States. Only organizations that have been designated by the Department of State as sponsors are authorized to issue the Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status (Form DS-2019) which is the basic document to support an application for an exchange visitor visa (J visa). Sponsors screen and select prospective exchange visitors based on the criteria set forth in the governing regulations (22 CFR Part 62).
Interested in becoming a Sponsor and hosting exchange visitors?
To be eligible for designation as a program sponsor, an organization must demonstrate, to the satisfaction of Department of State (DoS), its ability to comply and remain in continual compliance with all provisions of the Exchange Visitor Program regulations (22 CFR Part 62) and, at all times, to meet its financial obligations and responsibilities attendant to successful sponsorship of its exchange program; see 22 CFR 62.3(b) and 22 CFR 62.5(b) of the regulations. Also, with the submission of an application to DoS, it is expected that the organization will be fully prepared to begin the administration of the program upon designation from the Department.
If you are interested in applying with the DoS to be considered for designation to become an exchange visitor program sponsor, please refer to the Department of Homeland Security's User Manual for Temporary Users of SEVIS. This manual was written as a resource for temporary users of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). It provides instructions for users who wish to complete DoS Form DS-3036, Exchange Visitor Program Application.
If you have questions regarding the application process or the regulations regarding the category of exchange in which you are interested, call the Office Private Sector Exchange and ask to speak to a Program Designation Officer. Contact information is available at Office Information.