US Department of State Designation

The US Department of State, Exchange Visitor Program promotes mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries by educational and cultural exchanges, under the provisions of US law.  Prospective nonimmigrant exchange visitors must be accepted in an established visitor program that is Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certified.

Pacific Intercultural Exchange was established as a Student and Exchange Visitor Program on April 3, 1976.  This US Department of State designation allows the program to issue the documents necessary for exchange students to travel to the United States under the sponsorship and responsibility of Pacific Intercultural Exchange.  Foreign students participating in P.I.E.’s school term programs are issued DS-2019 forms allowing them to obtain J-1 Exchange Visitor visas. Under the visa, foreign students may be enrolled, tuition-free, in public high schools throughout the United States.

As a designated Student and Exchange Visitor Program, P.I.E. must demonstrate its ability to comply and remain in continual compliance with all provisions of the Exchange Visitor Program Regulations pertaining to secondary school programs.  These regulations help ensure the safety and security of exchange student visitors.  For more information, visit the U.S. Department of State’s website, toll free number 1-866-283-9090.  Their e-mail address is jvisas@state.gov.

The U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs administers the overall exchange visitor program, which implements the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961.