The program allows foreign nationals to temporarily visit the country in order to: teach, lecture, study, observe, conduct research, consult, train, or demonstrate special skills. "...participants in the J 1 Exchange Visitor Program are expected to return to their home countries when they complete their programs. Entry into the United States as a participant in the Exchange Visitor Program is granted with the understanding that participants will complete the objectives of a single program category." The minimum duration of the Exchange programs is 3 weeks, and the maximum duration varies by Program Category.

There are 13 categories into which Exchange Visitors are classified, 5 of which are in the "Private Sector," and 8 of which are in the "Academic and Government Programs Division."

Private Sector Categories

• Alien Physician
• Au Pair and EduCare
• Camp Counselor
• Summer Work/Travel
• Trainee and Flight Training

Academic and Government Program Categories

• Government Visitor
• International Visitor
• Professor and Research Scholar
• Short-Term Scholar
• Specialist
• Student, Secondary School
• Student, College/University
• Teacher

The Exchange Visitor Program website lists information including: General Information, Eligibility Requirements, Adjustments to the J 1 Status, Grace Period, Waivers, Alternatives.

So, who sponsors exchange visitors? Sponsors (such as government agencies, academic institutions, educational and cultural organizations, and corporations) are designated by the DOS to administer the exchange visitor programs. The current listing of Department of State Designated Exchange Visitor Program Sponsors was published in April, 2004. The list is classified by Program Category.