Requirements for J Exchange Visa Sponsors
- Sponsoring at least five exchange visitors per year for at least three weeks per visit (except for certain short-term scholars);
- Actively encouraging mutual exchanges of U.S. citizens to countries outside the United States;
- Making appropriate cross-cultural activities available to exchange visitors, and encouraging exchange visitors to share their customs and culture with U.S. citizens;
- Maintaining legal status, as well as necessary licensures and accreditations;
- Securing a payment bond in favor of the DOS assuring all financial obligations arising from the sponsorship of the exchange visitors, if other evidence of financial condition causes the agency to doubt the sponsor's ability to meet its financial responsibilities;
- Providing suitable staffing and support to the program, including appointment of at least one responsible officer and a sufficient number of alternate responsible officers for the program;
- Providing a system for screening exchange visitors to make certain that they qualify for exchange program participation;
- Providing appropriate orientation to all visitors upon their arrival in the United States;
- Securing Form DS-2019 from unauthorized use or theft;
- Monitoring exchange visitors to make certain that they are pursuing their programs;
- Notifying the Program Designation Division of the DOS of any changes in contact information, legal status, financial circumstances, ownership of licensure status; of litigation or a serious problem or controversy concerning the exchange program; and of any exchange visitor who withdraws from or completes a program thirty days or more before the ending date of his/her program, or who is terminated from the program;
- Completing an annual report in the form specified by the Program Designation Division; AND
- Requiring each exchange visitor to maintain specified levels of accident and health insurance for the duration of his/her program. This rule is very important! Please see the section dedicated to this issue below.