Exchange visitors

Exchange program overview

The Exchange Visitor Program is carried out under the provisions of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961, 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. International educational and cultural exchanges are one of the most effective means of developing lasting and meaningful relationships. They provide an extremely valuable opportunity to experience the United States and our way of life. At present, the Department of State has thirteen categories of exchange. Foreign national participating in exchange visitor programs may only engage in activities authorized for their program.

The categories are the following:

1. Au pair
2. Camp Counselor
3. Student, college/university; secondary school
4. Government Visitor
5. International Visitor
6. Alien physician
7. Professor
8. Research Scholar
9. Short-term Scholar
10. Specialist
11. Summer Work and Travel
12. Teacher
13. Training/Internship

U.S.Sponsor Organizations

In carrying out the responsibilities of the Exchange Visitor Program, the U.S. Department of State designates public and private entities to act as U.S.Sponsor Organizations. Only the U.S. Sponsor Organizations are allowed to issue DS-2019 forms to prospective program participants. The majority of these sponsors have partner organizations located worldwide to assist interested people. Thus, if you are interested in participation in a certain exchange program you should contact either U.S. Sponsor Organizations directly or their partners in Ukraine.

Form DS-2019

Form DS-2019 is a basic document required to support an application for an exchange visitor visa J-1. It is a two-page document, which can only be produced through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Each document is printed with a unique identifier known as a "SEVIS ID Number" in the top right-hand corner, which consists of an "alpha" character (N) and up to eleven numerical characters (e.g. N00002123457). Only U.S.Sponsor Organizations are authorized to produce Form DS-2019.

Authorized period of stay. Grace period

A prospective J-1 exchange visitor may apply for a J-1 visa at any time as long as he/she receives Form DS-2019 and this form remains valid. However, a J-1 exchange visitor may not enter the United States earlier than thirty days before the initial program start date as given on a Form DS-2019. Applicants continuing on an exchange visitor program are not subject to this restriction. All J-1 visa holders are granted an extra thirty (30) days following completion of the exchange visitor’s program. This 30-day period is known as a "grace period". During these thirty days J visa holders are allowed to travel within the U.S. and/or to prepare for departure from the U.S., and for no other purpose.

An exchange visitor who desires an earlier entry must qualify for, and obtain, a visitor visa B-2. In such a case, a notation will be made below the visa that the applicant is a prospective exchange visitor.

At the port of entry an exchange visitor has to present an international passport with a valid J-1 visa and the original DS-2019 form. All other documents related to that particular exchange visitor program should be hand carried as well.

Employment

An exchange visitor may receive compensation from the program sponsor, or the sponsor’s appropriate designee, for employment when such activities are part of the exchange visitor’s program.

There are two types of employment authorizations available for students on the J-visa:

1. Student employment; or
2. Academic training

The difference between the two is that student employment occurs on-campus unless there is economic necessity; and, academic training is related to the student’s field of study and in most cases, occurs off-campus and for a specified period of time.

Exchange visitors who are participating as college/university students are permitted to work and are limited to twenty (20) hours per week, except during school breaks and annual vacation, unless authorized for economic necessity.

An exchange visitor who engages in unauthorized employment shall be deemed to be in violation of his or her program status and is subject to termination as a participant of an exchange visitor program.

Academic and professional exchange programs

The Academic Exchanges Office of the Public Affairs Section coordinates and provides information on U.S. Academic Exchange Programs for Ukrainian students, teachers, professors, and researchers primarily in the social sciences and humanities. Participation in these exchange programs is determined on the basis of a free and open competition for qualified, English-speaking applicants and is announced every autumn.

Au Pair

Au Pair- this category is for an individual who is between 18-26 years of age entering the United States for a period of one year for the purpose of residing with an American host family (or the family of a legal permanent resident) while directly participating in their home life and providing limited childcare services. The Au Pair is also required to enroll in and attend classes offered by an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution. As a condition of participation, host family participants must agree to facilitate the enrollment and attendance of the Au Pair and to pay the cost of such academic course work in the amount not to exceed $500. Failure to adhere to the education component is grounds for termination from the program.

EduCare- In August of 2001 the regulations governing the Au Pair Program were amended to create a subcategory called EduCare. This component is specifically designed for families with school-aged children requiring limited child care assistance. Au Pairs participating in the EduCare component may not be placed with families having pre-school aged children. Host families provide the first $1,000.00 to the Au Pair toward the cost of the educational component. EduCare participants receive 75% of the pre-determined weekly wage that is required for an Au Pair participant.

Au pairs are not to be placed in the homes of family/relatives, irrespective of the distance in relations (e.g., third cousin, great aunt and/or uncle, etc).

For the time being there are twelve (12) U.S. Sponsor Organizations designated to administer the Au Pair/ EduCare programs.

Duration: Participation in the Au Pair or EduCare program is limited to one year/one U.S.Sponsor Organization only. Au Pair program can be one-time extended for additional six, nine, or twelve months beyond the original twelve months. Repeated participation in Au Pair program is prohibited.

The U.S. Department of State recognizes that the Exchange Visitor Programs can be most successful if it is aware of the needs, interests and concerns of all parties involved in the Exchange Visitor Program. The State Department is particularly concerned about instances where the conditions of housing, work, or study encountered by J program participants differ significantly from what was anticipated or advertised. If you are experiencing any of these problems, please contact the State Department directly at JVISAS@STATE.GOV.

Camp Counselor

Camp Counselor - this category is for foreign university students, youth workers, and other specially qualified individuals at least 18 years of age and proficient in English selected to be a counselor in an accredited U.S. summer camp. Camp Counselors impart their skills to American campers; provide them with information about his or her country and culture. Camp Counselors interact directly with groups of American youth by overseeing their activities in a camp setting during the U.S. summer season.

Young people interested in Camp Counselor program can either contact the U.S.Sponsor Organizations directly or their partners in Ukraine. However, it is more likely that if you contact the U.S. Sponsors, they will redirect you to their partners in Ukraine. Alternatively, you may visit an American Camping Association web page, where you can find useful information as well.

Duration: The duration of participation shall not exceed four months.

The U.S. Department of State recognizes that the Exchange Visitor Programs can be most successful if it is aware of the needs, interests and concerns of all parties involved in the Exchange Visitor Program. The State Department is particularly concerned about instances where the conditions of housing, work, or study encountered by J program participants differ significantly from what was anticipated or advertised. If you are experiencing any of these problems, please contact the State Department directly at JVISAS@STATE.GOV.

Training / Internship

On June 19, 2007 ECA published in the Federal Register an Interim-Final Rule (22 CFR Part 62.22) revising the Exchange Visitor Program"s existing trainee category, and creating a new intern category for students and recent graduates. Training and internship programs are created to expose participants to American techniques, methodologies, and expertise that expand participants" existing knowledge and skills, and to foster mutual understanding and respect. The content of training or intern programs should not duplicate work experience or training already received elsewhere. Sponsors are not permitted to place trainees or interns in unskilled or casual labor positions, in positions that require or involve child care or elder care, or in clinical or any other kind of work that involves patient care or contact.

Both intern and training placements must be for a minimum of 32 hours per week.

The new regulations replace the existing training plan regulations by incorporating a new form: Training/Internship Placement Plan (T/IPP) - Form DS-7002. This Form is required for use in both Training and Internship programs. Sponsors must fully complete and secure signatures on a Form DS-7002, Training/Internship Placement Plan (T/IPP) for each trainee and intern prior to issuing a Form DS-2019. Electronic signatures (including faxed signatures) are permissible on Form DS-7002.

Training programs can be conducted in any of the following broadly-defined occupational categories:

• Agriculture, Forestry, and Fishing
• Arts and Culture
• Aviation
• Construction and Building Trades
• Education, Social Sciences, Library Science, Counseling, and Social Services
• Health Related Occupations
• Hospitality and Tourism (new)
• Information Media and Communications
• Management, Business, Commerce, and Finance
• Public Administration and Law
• The Sciences, Engineering, Architecture, Mathematics, and Industrial

INTERNS CATEGORY: Interns must either be enrolled in and pursuing studies in a degree- or certificate-granting post-secondary institution outside the U.S., or have graduated from such an institution no more than 12 months prior to their prospective program begin date. Internship programs can last up to 12 months.

Repeat participation should address the development of more advanced skills or a different field of expertise. To repeat as interns, participants must maintain eligible student/recent graduate status. There is no required interval specified between programs. There is no limit on the number of times an individual may participate, as long as the above conditions are met.

TRAINEES: The training program, in contrast, will serve people with degrees or professional certificates with training necessary to gain new skills and knowledge to further their careers in their home countries. The trainee will have a comprehensive training plan, with progressive phases of training. Participants must either be graduates of foreign post-secondary institutions with one year of work experience outside the U.S. related to the field of their training, or have five years of relevant work experience outside the U.S. Training programs can last up to 18 months, with the exception of training programs in "Hospitality/Tourism" and "Agriculture", which are limited to 12 months.

Repeat participation should address the development of more advanced skills or a different field of expertise. Trainees may repeat participation after a two-year period of residency outside the U.S. Those who have participated as interns and wish to engage in a training program may do so after a two-year period of residency outside the U.S. There is no limit on the number of times an individual may participate, as long as these conditions are met.

EXCEPTION FOR MANAGEMENT TRAINING: Management training programs for interns and trainees, however, can last 18 months. Examples of programs in these fields eligible for 18-month duration would be agri-business management placements or high level hotel management placements. Such programs will be classified in the "Management, Business, Commerce and Finance" occupational code, as opposed to the "Agriculture" or "Hospitality and Tourism" occupational code. Typical rotational programs offered in hotels or restaurants in a variety of related functions leading to a final rotation in a single supervisory position, such as Front Desk Supervisor or Manager, Floor Supervisor, Lead Chef or Room Service Manager would fall under the "Hospitality and Tourism" occupational code and be limited to 12 months.

Non-management placements on farms or other production facilities would fall under "Agriculture" and be limited to 12 months, or 18 months where six months of the program consists of classroom participation and studies.

The U.S. Department of State recognizes that the Exchange Visitor Programs can be most successful if it is aware of the needs, interests and concerns of all parties involved in the Exchange Visitor Program. The State Department is particularly concerned about instances where the conditions of housing, work, or study encountered by J program participants differ significantly from what was anticipated or advertised. If you are experiencing any of these problems, please contact the State Department directly at JVISAS@STATE.GOV.

Summer Work and Travel program

The Summer Work/Travel (SWT) program is available only to bona fide foreign post-secondary students currently enrolled in and actively pursuing a degree at an accredited educational institution at the time of application for the program. As of November 20, 2006, final-year students are also eligible for participation as long as they apply for the program before they complete their studies. Final-year students who will have graduated from their institution at the time of their participation in the SWT program may participate in the program, as long as they applied for the program when they were full-time students.

It is not necessary for the continuing student to be enrolled in the same institution both before and after participating in SWT. Students can participate if they are transferring from one school to another; if they have finished an academic program and are going on to another full-time program; or if they are continuing on to graduate school.

Students attending vocational schools are not eligible for SWT, unless they can demonstrate that study there will ultimately lead to a degree from a full-time institution.

U.S. Sponsors of the SWT programs should pre-arrange employment for SWT participants.

Important! The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy does not consider applications for SWT program if a job offer signed by an U.S. employer is not submitted along with all necessary documents.

Most participants typically work in non-skilled service positions at resorts, hotels, restaurants, and amusement parks. Department regulations prohibit the placement of program participants as domestic help in U.S. households or in positions requiring them to invest their own money for inventory, such as door-to-door sales.

The majority of the U.S. Sponsors have partner organizations located worldwide to assist interested students. Thus, in order to obtain DS-2019 form you may either contact U.S. Sponsor Organizations directly or their partners in Ukraine.

Duration: There are two time limitations imposed on the SWT program. These time limitations are reflected on the dates entered on the Form DS-2019:

- Program dates cannot exceed four months, and

- The end dates for SWT programs cannot extend into the college and/or university academic calendars for the term following the students" participation in the SWT program.

Summer Work and Travel participants have to complete their exchange programs not later than the beginning of the academic year at the Ukrainian Universities. Traditionally, in Ukraine, the academic year starts on September 1. In case that the Ukrainian University's (or particular faculty's) official academic year begins later than September 1 for all its students, the program end date as indicated on the DS-2019 may be later than September 1, however, in no instance should it exceed University's or faculty's official start date. All Ukrainian agencies, U.S. Sponsors, employers, SWT participants have to comply with the U.S. Immigration Law, and, consequently, follow all Exchange program rules.

The 30 day grace period for travel should also be completed before the University date indicated on the DS-2019. We realize there are sometimes rational reasons for not returning on the exact date as indicated on the DS-2019, however, any student that passes the date will be considered an overstay. This information will be taken into account on future visa applications.

Those limitations apply to all SWT participants including final-year students.

The U.S. Department of State recognizes that the Exchange Visitor Programs can be most successful if it is aware of the needs, interests and concerns of all parties involved in the Exchange Visitor Program. The State Department is particularly concerned about instances where the conditions of housing, work, or study encountered by J program participants differ significantly from what was anticipated or advertised. If you are experiencing any of these problems, please contact the State Department directly at JVISAS@STATE.GOV.

List of necessary documents

Each J-1 applicant has to submit the following documents:

1. J-1 Visa Applicant Worksheet for SWT and Camp Counselors only (one-page application form that will be given at the intake window on an interview day)
2. An international passport valid for at least six (6) months beyond the anticipated date of departure from the U.S.
3. A color photo 5cm x 5cm taken against a white background. Photo has to be taken within the past six (6) months.
4. Form DS-156 (EVAF) signed by an applicant.
5. Form DS-157 (applicable for male between 16-45 years old)
6. Form DS-158 signed by an applicant.
7. Original DS-2019 form signed by a Responsible Officer(para #7)
8. A copy of DS-2019 form
9. Proof of SEVIS Fee payment.
10. A ProCredit Bank's Voucher
11. A letter from the university/institute confirming current student status (довідка з ВУЗу)
12. A letter from the U.S.Sponsor and/or Ukrainian organization explaining the nature of an exchange program and how the applicant was chosen for the program
13. SWT/Camp Counselor: Copy of a Job offer signed by both a U.S. employer and an applicant (for both SWT and Camp Counselor applicants); a copy of Guarantee Placement status letter for Camp Counselors in case an applicant applies early
14. Training/Internship: Form DS-7002 "Training/Internship Placement Plan"
15. Student card (for those who are current students in Ukraine)
16. Student grade book (for those who are current students in Ukraine)
17. USD 8.00 or 43 hryvnas for return delivery of the passport by courier

Important! Visa printing process and passport delivery may be put on hold for up to 2-3 weeks due to various administrative reasons. Please plan your trips accordingly.

Fee waivers for exchange visitor

United States Government (USG) funded exchange visitors coming to the United States are eligible for Machine Readable Visa (MRV) fee waivers only if they are participating in a Department or United States Agency for International Development (USAID) sponsored and funded educational and cultural exchange programs, or if they are USG employees traveling on official business. Exchange programs eligible for MRV exemption will contain a G-1, G-2, G-3, or G-7 program number on the Form DS-2019.

All other applicants with U.S. Government sponsorships, including other J-visa applicants, are subject to the MRV processing fee and SEVIS fee. Applicants participating in a U.S. government-sponsored program, however, are exempt from any applicable visa reciprocity fee.

All J-2 dependants fall under the same fee waivers as their principal alien J-1.

The Two-Year Foreign Residence Requirement of Section 212(e).

Certain J-1 and J-2 exchange visitors are subject to the two-year foreign residence requirement of the Immigration and Nationality Act, Section 212 (e). These exchange visitors must reside and be physically present in their country of nationality or last legal permanent residence for an aggregate of at least two years following departure from the United States. These exchange visitors are not allowed to change their nonimmigrant status to any classification (with limited exceptions) or to be admitted to the United States under the fiance(e) (K visa), temporary worker (H visa)or intracompany transferee (L visa) nonimmigrant visa categories, or to acquire immigrant or permanent resident status ("Green Card") until they have complied with the foreign residence requirement.

Exchange visitors (and their accompanying family members in J-2 status) are subject to the foreign residency requirement either because their program was financed in whole or in part by an agency of the U.S. Government or by the government of their home country; or they entered the United States to receive graduate medical education or training.

Exchange visitors who are subject to, but do not wish to comply with, the two-year home country residence requirement, may apply for a waiver of that requirement under any one of the five applicable grounds provided by the United States immigration law.

"No objection" statement from the Ukrainian government.

For the time being Ukrainian government has not designated any governmental entity to issue "no objection" statements. Currently this issue is under consideration at the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. As soon as the U.S.Embassy receives official notification regarding Ukrainian Government entity authorized to issue "no objection" statements, we will update the web-site accordingly.

In case you have an urgent need to request "no objection" statement, please contact the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine at the following address:

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine,
Directorate General for Consular Affairs
1, Mykhaylivska Sqr,
Kyiv, Ukraine, 01018

or send your inquiry to the following e-mail: cons@mfa.gov.ua

Requests for issuance of "No Objection" statements should contain the following information:

1. Full name of exchange visitor, date and place of birth;
2. Date of entry into the United States
3. The current address (if still in the U.S., the present U.S. address of the exchange visitor should be included and if overseas, the overseas address of the exchange visitor should be included);
4. List of exchange visitor program or programs in which the alien participated, including program number;
5. The exchange visitor’s alien registration number, if known

However, it should be emphasized that submission of such a statement by Ukrainian government serves only to initiate the consideration of the alien’s request for a waiver. Each waiver case is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and decision is made by balancing the program, policy and foreign relations considerations.

Family members

Each accompanying J-2 spouse and/or child of a principal J-1 alien is required to have a separate Form DS-2019 issued by the sponsoring exchange visitor program and will have a unique SEVIS ID number. The J-2 must present this evidence to both the consular officer and the immigration officer at the port of entry (POE).

J-2 spouse and/or child fall under the same program rules as their J-1 principal alien. In case a principal alien J-1 is a subject to the two-year foreign residence requirement of Section 212(e), consequently, J-2 dependants will be subjects to Section 212(e) as well.

J-2 spouse and/or child of J-1 exchange visitor are not allowed to enter the U.S. before a principal alien enters. J-2 dependents can be admitted to the U.S. along with their principal alien or later.

J-2 children are allowed to attend public or private schools.

J-2 dependents are exempt from the SEVIS I-901 fee payment.

Employment is restricted to J-2 holders, but not prohibited. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration (USCIS) is responsible for authorizing the employment of J-2 dependents.

List of Ukrainian SWT/Camp Counselor agencies

Below is a list of local agencies that participate in the block appointments program. The list is for informational purposes only. The U.S. Embassy does not endorse or recommend any agencies whether they appear on the list or not and takes no responsibility for the legitimacy of any agency or the quality of service they provide.

Cherkasy
International Cultural and Educational Agency (ICEA)

Donetsk
Ukraine Exchange

Ivano-Frankivsk
Coliseum (link 2 link 3 link 4)

Kharkiv
Star Travel

Kryvyi Rig
Ukraine Exchange

Kyiv
Aspect (link 2)
AuPairUA Agency (link 2 link 3)
The Capital School of English (CapSE)
Center of International Programs (CIP)
Coliseum (link 2 link 3 link 4)
DEC
Kyiv Youth Labor Center
Sonata (link 2)
Star Travel
Student Travel International (STI)
Student Adventure Ukraine
Ukraine Exchange (link 2)
Ukrainian Student Exchange Club (USEC)
Travel Company Ukrtekhintour (UTI)
YMCA

Lviv
"Professional" Scientific & Educational Center
Star Travel
Suchasnyk
Union Forum (represents Youth Exchange Center, Gliwice, Poland)
Coliseum (link 2 link 3 link 4)

Mykolaiv
Addrian
Martynenko DBI (MDAU)
Coliseum (link 2 link 3 link 4)

Odesa
Aspect (link 2)
Inter service Plus
Master Agency
Youth Exchange Center (YEC)

Sumy
Center of International Programs (CIP)

Ternopil
Ukraine Exchange

Vinnytsya
Center of International Programs (CIP)
Work and Travel

Yalta
LODOS

Zaporizhzhya
Coliseum (link 2 link 3 link 4)