Current J-1 Students

The J Exchange Visitor Program was developed to implement the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961. The overall purpose of the program is to “increase mutual understanding between people of the United States and the people of other countries by means of educational and cultural exchanges.’

J-1 students must be admitted to a degree program for a full course of study or be engaged full-time in a nondegree prescribed course of study.

At WSU J-1 students typically are:

a) exchange students or,

b) sponsored by governmental or non-governmental organizations or

c) supported substantially by funding from any source other than personal or family funds.

EVP Terminology

There is specific terminology for the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program: The term “Exchange Visitor” refers to a J-1 student; the “sponsor” of the EVP is the agency or institution that issues the Form DS-2019; and the “Responsible Officer” (RO) or “Alternate Responsible Officer” (ARO) is the person authorized by the sponsor to issue and sign the DS-2019 in item # 7. The RO/ARO is also referred to as the International Student Advisor.