Exchange Visitor Program Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Visa Services Operating Status Update (November 19, 2021)

Search Exchange Visitor Program

VISA BASICS PROGRAMS PARTICIPANTS PROGRAM SPONSORS HOSTS

Exchange Visitor Program Information on Coronavirus

(COVID-19)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (Updated on 01/04/2023)

We share your concerns for everyone’s health, safety, and welfare and the situation
regarding COVID-19 as it continues to evolve. Please follow the links below for the
latest guidance for Exchange Visitor Program sponsors and participants.
VIEW ARCHIVED FAQs  
FOR PARTICIPANTS

FOR J-1 VISA APPLICANTS/SELECTEES (Updated 5/1/20)

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, can the requirement for the “Statement
of Need” (SoN) letter for J-1 Alien Physicians be waived?
Public Law 94-484, as reflected at 22 CFR 62.27(b)(6), requires that alien
physician applicants provide SoN letters from the governments of the
countries of their most recent legal permanent residence. Such letters must
include written assurance, satisfactory to the Secretary of the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services, that there is a need in those
countries for persons with the skills the alien physicians seek to acquire. SoN
letters must bear the seal of the concerned governments and be signed by a
duly designated official of the governments.
The SoN letter is a requirement that cannot be waived. While the Department
generally requires SoN letters to be provided by the relevant Ministries of
Health, this may not be possible at this time. Temporarily, and due to the
COVID-19 crisis, the Department will allow flexibility to help applicants meet
this requirement. For example, the Department will allow both electronically
signed SoN letters from Ministries of Health and SoN letters issued by foreign
embassies in the United States, where the relevant countries have elected to
authorize their embassies to provide these statements. For, individuals
applying for fellowship training for whom ECFMG already has SoN letters on
file for the related specialty, it is not necessary to submit new SoN letters. For
further guidance, please reach out to ECFMG at: EVSP-support@ECFMG.org.

CURRENT PROGRAMS (Updated 04/22/22)

FUTURE PROGRAMS (Updated 4/26/21)

SECONDARY SCHOOL STUDENT PROGRAMS (Updated 6/1/22)

CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS (Updated 6/1/22)

FORMS DS-2019S AND SEVIS

SPONSOR OBLIGATIONS

TRAVEL/ VISA SERVICES (Updated on 01/04/2023)

Visa Basics Participants Program Sponsors Host Families/Employers RESOURCES

Facts & Figures How to Apply Become a Sponsor For Host Families RO-ARO Virtual Training
About J-2 Visa Current Participants Current Sponsors For Employers SEVIS login
Other U.S. Student Visas Participant Experiences How to Administer a Program For Schools SEVIS Manuals
Common Questions Common Questions for Common Questions for Program Common Questions for Host SEVIS Training Videos
Participants Sponsors Families/Employers DS-2019
Videos Regulations and Compliance
Administration
Programs Contacts
About Us
Get Adobe Reader

U.S. Department of State

Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs

FOIA Privacy Notice Copyright Information