Foreign Exchange Student Policy

The Department of State monitors and regulates a variety of programs where people from other countries come to the United States as exchange visitors. One of the most popular of these programs is the high school student exchange program.

Who Is Eligible?

Students who wish to be an exchange student at an American high school must be between 15 and 18 1/2 years when their program begins and must not have previously been to the U.S. as part of an exchange program. Each individual program will have additional requirements, such as a minimum grade point average or score on a standardized English exam.

Length of Program

At minimum, the program must last at least one semester. The maximum length of participation is one school year or one calendar year (for students from countries where the school year begins in the winter or spring). Exchange programs are not meant to allow students to stay in the U.S. for their entire high school career.

Student Accomodations

Students cannot live with parents or relatives. Some students stay in boarding school dormitories, while others stay with host families. Boarding schools must be accredited and authorized by the State Department to host exchange students. Prospective host families must go through an interview process, a home inspection and a criminal background check.

Immigration Documents

When students have been accepted into an exchange program, their program sponsor sends them a document called a DS-2019. This document provides details about the purpose and duration of the program. It also certifies that the student has medical insurance and financial means to cover all program expenses so that he will not become a public charge while in the US. Once a student has received her DS-2019, she can take it to their nearest U.S. embassy to apply for a J-1 exchange visitor visa.

Safety Regulations

All host families and adults affiliated with the sponsoring organization must undergo a criminal background check. Sponsoring organizations also must provide information to students and host families about how to recognize and prevent sexual abuse.

References

• Keeping Our Students Safe: Exchange Student Safety Guidelines
• J Visa Final Rule
• DS-2019
• Eligibility Requirements
• Student, Secondary School

Resources

• Designated Sponsors List