Dear Colleagues,
Please see the following (and attached) letter to schools clarifying the eligibility of J-1 Private Sector Exchange students and F-1 students. Please feel free to use this letter when engaging with your constituents.
Sincerely,
Christopher Page, CSIET Executive Director
6/29/2020
Dear High School Administrator,
On June 22, President Donald J. Trump issued a proclamation suspending entry into the United States of certain non-immigrants on J-1 visas. As a matter of clarification, the J-1 Secondary School Student Program (and students entering the U.S. on a non-immigrant F-1 visa) are not included in the June 22 proclamation. For the foreseeable future, J-1 secondary school students and F-1 students remain eligible for entry into the US for the 2020-2021 academic year.
Relative to U.S. Department of State guidance, J-1 Exchange Visitor Programs (EVP) are privately funded and are administered separately from the federally funded Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) programs. The current restriction on ECA students does not apply to EVP students. The Department of State has not canceled the Secondary Student EVP. Students are permitted to arrive in accordance with local and federal regulations as they pertain to COVID-19.
Please know that CSIET’s certified J-1 and F-1 programs may contact you individually regarding the student enrollment for the 2020-2021 academic year. If you have questions or concerns, I encourage you to reach out directly to them or me.
Sincerely,
Christopher Page, CSIET Executive Director
Dear Sirs,
Being father of a Secondary 2020-2021 High School J1 Student participant, I don’t understand WHY I can’t obtain my VISA if I have all my Documents ready and my fees paid and CSIET is clearly indicating Program is operative.
Why Embassies in Europe aren’t giving VISA appointment? Until when we have to wait for?
Is this possible School starts in August and my son obtains VISA and travel in December? This isn’t operational in my modest point of view. Neither to arrive in September when School starts beginning of August
Thank you
I think you are referring to the January 31 and March 11 proclamations, among others the President has issued. My original “letter to schools” addresses the J-1 EVP and the F-1 visa in broad terms. If there are restrictions for specific countries or because of COVID 19 as a result of proclamations other than the June 22 proclamation, those restrictions still hold until otherwise lifted. We don’t currently have any information on when these restrictions might be lifted. Additionally, individual consulates may have their own limitations.
So, when restrictions are lifted, the J-1 program is operational. There is no specific presidential restriction on the J-1 high school program.
Buenas tardes señores!!!!!
En mi casa,tengo la misma situación con mi hijo,q Ineta Elkan…..
Se va con una familia a Texas,se supone q las clases empiezan en agosto,y a día d hoy no tenemos el visado.Q hacemos?
Se supone q el programa sigue adelante… gracias!!!
Thank you, yes I’m referring to Proclamation 9993 and also suspension of routine VISA services in all Embassies of Shengen area (all Europe).
My son is an applicant to J1 Seconday High School.
We have everything paid and we don’t know what to do!!. We’re really desperate because my son has a Placement and he has to arrived on 1st August, Host Family is awating him and ….. he hasn’t yet appointment for VISA.
There are THOUSANDS of Students and Families awaiting for it.
We believe that a J1 Student to study in America in August is an Essential Travel.
In addition Shengen are is nowadays with very LOW impact of epidemic. We’re under 20 infections over 100.000 inhabitants.
Families here we don’t understand why not to give, at least, an forecast when we could get a VISA. First is to obtain a VISA and later on to be allowed ton entry in US.
If our sons aren’t able to go to America we have to enroll them ASAP here in Europe and we’re on delay!!!!
Best Regards.
Because the visa interview process is managed by consulate, we unfortunately cannot make any predictions. We are working with US Department State to get more information on the timeline for re-opening of consulates. Check News and Announcements frequently for updates, at CSIET.org.