The Study America Program operates within IIE's Enrichment and Professional Development Division and works with private, public and governmental organizations to sponsor individuals who teach, lecture, observe, consult and conduct research while sharing their culture and professional expertise with their American colleagues.

Our office can ease the administrative burdens of hosting Exchange Visitors to your organization on a non-immigrant J-1 visa by assuming responsibility for most aspects of the process. Our staff are experts in this area and have a firm understanding of the requirements associated with the J-1 non-immigrant visa process.

In order to participate in the Study America Program, candidates must be professionals in their fields whose careers will benefit from the proposed program. Their experience must foster the exchange of ideas between Americans and foreign nationals and stimulate international collaborative projects.

Positions must be temporary in nature, not used to augment a personnel complement, i.e. not staffing.  Exchange Visitor programs shall not exceed the permitted duration of stay as stipulated by Federal Regulations.

IIE can provide the following J-1 related services:

• Coordination of health insurance coverage.
• DHS's SEVIS registration and updates required by federal regulations and SEVIS fee payment.
• Program/Training plan evaluation and/or development.
• Staff to address the needs and concerns of the host organization and the Exchange Visitors and their families.
• Pre-arrival information, instructions for obtaining a J-1 entry visa and orientation materials.
• Monitoring and support throughout the exchange program.
• English language screening.

Upon completion of the program, Exchange Visitors are expected return to their home country to fulfill the exchange.