Exchange Visitor Visa Compliance

USAID’s Exchange Visitor Visa Compliance program supports U.S. national security objectives, contributing to human capacity and institutional strengthening in all development sectors.

MISSION:

A major part of USAID’s story is the millions of host country nationals that have participated in exchange visitor programs throughout the years. In fact, almost all USAID development assistance includes some type of international exchanges. To support country, regional and sector development objectives, USAID sponsors U.S.-based exchange visitor programs for host country nationals. The Exchange Visitor Visa Compliance program is a central management function that enables USAID to comply with statutory and regulatory requirements associated with sponsoring foreign nationals who come to the United States. This function aligns with the U.S. National Security Strategy and the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961 authorizing the U.S. government to conduct educational and cultural exchanges, which strengthens the capacity and commitment of host-country nationals to address development challenges in their respective countries.

POLICY:

• ADS Chapter: USAID’s policies, procedures, and forms for International Exchanges and Visa Compliance are found in ADS 252 Visa Compliance for Exchange Visitors.
  • ADS Reference 252maa Training & Exchanges Automated Management System (TEAMS)
• Statutory Authority: Under the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, the U.S. Government is authorized to conduct educational and cultural exchanges, which assist the Department of State in furthering the foreign policy objectives of the United States. The Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title 22, Part 62 “Exchange Visitor Program,” designates USAID as an official designated sponsor for the U.S. Exchange Visitor Program.
• Interagency Working Group (IAWG) on U.S. Government-Sponsored International Exchanges and Training: IAWG was created in 1998 to make recommendations to the President for improving the coordination, efficiency, and effectiveness of United States Government-sponsored international exchanges and training. The Annual Reports present the data, findings and analysis on information submitted by reporting federal departments and independent agencies on their respective international exchange and training activities in response to the IAWG annual data call.

TEAMS (AUTOMATED MANAGEMENT SYSTEM):

The Training and Exchanges Automated Management System (TEAMS) supports USAID Exchange Visitor Visa Compliance. USAID Missions and Implementing Partners use TEAMS, a web-based data system, to collect and produce information and reports on exchange visitor programs across all development sectors. The TEAMS User Resource Page contains the TEAMS User Manual and Tutorials. Login to TEAMS at teams.usaid.gov, and send questions to the TEAMS helpdesk at teams@usaid.gov.

LATEST UPDATES:

Archiving of ADS Chapter 253, Participant Training for Capacity Development