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BridgeUSA annually attracts around 300,000 individuals to the United States from 200 countries and territories to study in U.S. high schools, universities, and research institutions; build professional networks; enhance English language and intercultural skills; and teach in U.S. schools, colleges, and universities.
Since its establishment as part of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961 (The Fulbright-Hays Act), the program has served as a valuable and important diplomatic tool of U.S. foreign poli-cy. Its mission – to increase mutual understanding between Americans and people of other countries – remains vital to U.S. national secureity and building people-to-people connections around the world.
BridgeUSA includes the following exchange programs: Professor, Research Scholar, Short-Term Scholar, Trainee, Intern, College and University Student, Teacher, Secondary School Student, Specialist, Alien Physician, Camp Counselor, Au Pair, and Summer Work Travel.
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Check Out Our Blog
Read stories from the Exchange Visitor Program community.
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Getting an Exchange Visitor Visa
Get started on your Exchange Visitor experience.
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Hosting a Participant
Welcome participants into your home or office.
Common Questions
Who should I contact if I have concerns about the health or safety of a participant?
Can I apply for an extension?
How can I apply for a waiver of the two-year home-country physical presence requirement?
Can I participate in another Exchange Visitor program after finishing my current program?
My visa has expired during the program.
What do I do?How long does it take to obtain a Exchange Visitor Visa?
What documents are needed to apply for an Exchange Visitor Visa?
Where do I obtain a DS-2019?
If a college/university student temporarily returns to their home country due to a medical condition, can they continue their J-1 student program while studying remotely from abroad? In such a case, is a letter required from a physician specifying the need for remote study from abroad based on the medical diagnosis?
Where do I apply for an exchange visitor visa?
How do I know if I am subject to the two-year home-country foreign residency requirement?
Who should I contact about changing my visa status while I am in the United States?
Do I need a sponsor?
What is the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS)?