Bring a student from your sister city to attend high school in the United States!
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Sister Cities International has partnered with American Cultural Exchange Service to create the ACES - Sister Cities International Studnet Exchange Partnership to ensure that Sister Cities International can assist all sister city programs with their youth exchange programs.
1. Step-by-Step Guide to the Student Exchange Application Process
2. Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
- What is a J1 Visa?
- What is a DS-2019?
- When are student applications due?
- What are the program fees?
- What are the health insurance requirements?
- What is SEVIS?
- Are there age restictions?
- Are there English requirements?
- More answers to your questions...
Questions
If you have questions or would like clarification on any of these points, please contact Bethany Rehling at brehling@sister-cities.org or 202-347-8630 ext.8252.
Step-by-Step Guide to the J1 Visa Application Process
Step 1: STUDENT APPLICATION
Chose the student(s) to participate in the sister city exchange.
Students should be good representative of their sister cities, have sufficient English to attend high school, be excited about living and learning in a different culture, and be mentally prepared for the challenges that being away from home for a year will entail.
Each student must complete the student application in its entirety. The application is available below.
After Sister Cities International has received the completed application, we will forward it on to American Cultural Exchange Services. ACES will begin the process of sponsoring the student for the J1 visa program.
Step 2: Choose a Local (U.S.) Coordinator & an International Coordinator
Decide on the main contacts in the United States and in your sister city. You will need a local coordinator in your community and an international coordinator in your sister city.
Step 3: Student Interview and English Placement test
The International Coordinator will interview the student and proctor an english placement test (SLEP) for the student. All ACES-Sister Cities International Student Exchange Program participants must be prepared for the challenges of living and studying away from home. This includes a minimum score on the SLEP test of 45.
* Scandinavian and German students are not requried to take the SLEP test.
Step 4: THE J1 VISA INTERVIEW:
The exchange students are officially sponsored by ACES. But in order to be granted the J1 visa, students must have a visa interview at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate nearest to their home.
Once your student's application has been submitted to Sister Cities
International, please begin contact with the US embassy or consulate
closest to your sister city to verify their local J1 visa requirements.
Countries vary slightly in their requirements for the J1 visa and might
need extra forms in addition to the DS-2019. If you begin preparing the
J1 visa application while Sister Cities International and ACES are
processing the DS-2019, this will expedite the visa process.
When the student's application has been processed, ACES will send the Overseas partner a DS-2019 form. The DS-2019 form usually arrives by June 15. The DS-2019 confirms the student's eligibility for the J1 visa. It does not guarantee visa issuance; this is left to the discretion of each U.S. embassy or consulate.
Step 5: Selecting the Host Family and School
Step 4: PRE-DEPARTURE PREPARATION
The DS-2019 will arrive with the following materials to be completed by both the students and the Overseas Partner (this is a designated point of contact in your sister city):
- An instruction manual will be provided for the Overseas Partner which explains an effective orientation session.
- Secondary Level English Proficiency (SLEP) Test - Every student must pass the SLEP Test before arriving in the United States. A passing score is a scaled score of 50 or above. The test can be administered and scored by the Overseas Partner and results can be reported to SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL via fax.
- "Student Flight Information" Form - As the departure date approaches and final flight plans are confirmed, submit each student's flight itinerary to SISTER CITIES INTERNATIONAL. Include all flight numbers, connections, and arrival/departure times.
Student Handbooks - When students arrive, the Local Coordinators must review the handbooks with their students to clarify program rules and United States laws.
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Answers to Frequently Asked Questions
What is a J1 Visa? International secondary school students, when traveling to the U.S. for academic study, must have a J-1 visa in order to enroll in their designated high school and complete 12 months of study.
What is a DS-2019?
THe DS-2019 is the visa application form which confirms the
student's eligibility for the J1 visa. The DS-2019 does not guarantee visa
issuance; this is left to the discretion of each U.S. embassy or consulate.
After Sister Cities International has received a complete student application
and processing fee, ACES can issue the student's DS-2019s. This process will
take about 30 days. Sister Cities International will then send the DS-2019
forms by traceable means directly to the students.
It is very important that the student's name, gender, date of birth, place of birth, citizenship, and residence are correct and match the information on the student's passport. If there are any errors on the DS-2019, the U.S. embassy/consulate abroad will not issue the visa, and the local program will be charged for the cost of issuing a new DS-2019.
When are student applications due?
2006-2007 School Year: April 15, 2006
What are the application fees?
Program Fees (does not include insurance, airfare, or SEVIS fees)
| 2006-2007 Academic Year | |
| Grandfathered Communities | $2,500 (does not include insurance, airfare, or SEVIS fees) |
| New Programs | $2,500 (does not include insurance, airfare, or SEVIS fees) |
All sister city communities will be eligible to receive a $525 refund upon completion and return of all required paperwork.
Sister Cities International will send you an invoice for program expenses after your application has been reviewed. Fees can be paid by the student/family, the U.S. sister city program, or divided between the two.
What are the health insurance requirements?
AYUSA requires that all students purchase insurance through AVI, a reputable insurance company. Please note: AVI does not cover the cost of immunizations. Students should get all the immunizations required by their U.S. school district before they arrive in the U.S.
Health Insurance Fees*
- Academic Year: $550
- Semester: $370
- 3 Months: $220
* All health insurance fees are subject to change with notice.
Sister Cities International will send you an invoice for insurance after your application has been reviewed. Fees can be paid by the student/family, the U.S. sister city program, or divided between the two.
What is SEVIS and what are the SEVIS fees?
SEVIS stands for Student and Exchange Visitor Information System. It is an electronic tracking system that was launched by the Department of State in January 2003. The new SEVIS fee is $100 per student.
Are there age restrictions?
YES! No student who will be under the age of 15 or above the age of 18 and a half on their first day of school in the U.S. is eligible to participate in this program.
What are the English requirements?
Every student must pass the Secondary Level English Proficiency (SLEP) Test before arriving in the U.S. A scaled score of 50 or above is passing. The test can be administered and scored by the Overseas Partner and results can be reported to Sister Cities International via fax. Testing materials will be provided by SCI.
***German and Scandinavian students are not required to take the SLEP Test***
For:
Student/Overseas Contact
a. Student Application
b. Student Flight Information (can be sent later, once flight is booked)
c. Pre-Departure Orientation Materials
d. Pre-Departure Orientation Guidelines
For:
U.S. Sister City Community Representative
a. Host Family Interview
b. Host Family Reference
c. Host Family Placement Confirmation
d. School Permission
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Important Links
US State Department Visa Information
Links to US Embassies and Consulates Worldwide
Council on Standards for International Educational Travel