§ 62.23 - College and university students.

§ 62.23 College and university students.

(a) Purpose. A program under this section provides foreign students the opportunity to participate in a designated exchange visitor program while studying at a degree-granting post-secondary accredited academic institution or participating in a student internship program which fulfills the student's academic study. A student sponsored in this category may participate in a degree, non-degree, or student internship program. Such an exchange is intended to promote mutual understanding by fostering the exchange of ideas between foreign students and their American counterparts.

(b) Designation. The Department of State may, in its sole discretion, designate bona fide programs which offer foreign students the opportunity to study in the United States at a post-secondary accredited academic institution or to participate in a student internship program.

(c) Selection criteria. A sponsor selects the college and university students who participate in its exchange visitor program. A sponsor must secure sufficient background information on the students to ensure that they have the academic credentials required for its program. A student is eligible for participation in the Exchange Visitor Program if at any time during his or her educational program in the United States:

(1) The student or his or her program is financed directly or indirectly by:

(i) The United States Government;

(ii) The government of the student's home country; or

(iii) An international organization of which the United States is a member by treaty or statute;

(2) The program is carried out pursuant to an agreement between the United States Government and a foreign government;

(3) The program is carried out pursuant to written agreement between:

(i) American and foreign academic institutions;

(ii) An American academic institution and a foreign government; or

(iii) A state or local government in the United States and a foreign government;

(4) The student is supported substantially by funding from any source other than personal or family funds; or

(5) The student is participating in a student internship program as described in paragraph (i) of this section.

(d) Admissions requirement. In addition to satisfying the requirements of § 62.10(a), a sponsor must ensure that the student has been admitted to, or accepted for a student internship program offered by, the post-secondary accredited academic institution listed on the Form DS-2019 before issuing the Form.

(e) Full course of study requirement. A student, other than a student intern described in paragraph (h)(3)(i) of this section, must pursue a full course of study at a post-secondary accredited academic institution in the United States as defined in § 62.2, except under the following circumstances:

(1) Vacation. During official school breaks and summer vacations if the student is eligible and intends to register for the next term. A student attending a school on a quarter or trimester calendar may be permitted to take the annual vacation during any one of the quarters or trimesters instead of during the summer.

(2) Medical illness. If the student is compelled to reduce or interrupt a full course of study due to an illness or medical condition and the student presents to the responsible officer a written statement from a physician requiring or recommending an interruption or reduction in studies.

(3) Bona fide academic reason. If the student is compelled to pursue less than a full course of study for a term and the student presents to the responsible officer a written statement from the academic dean or advisor recommending the student to reduce his or her academic load to less than a full course of study due to an academic reason.

(4) Non-degree program. If the student is engaged full time in a prescribed course of study in a non-degree program of up to 24 months duration conducted by a post-secondary accredited academic institution.

(5) Academic training. If the student is participating in authorized academic training in accordance with paragraph (f) of this section.

(6) Final term. If the student needs less than a full course of study to complete the academic requirements in his or her final term.

(f) Academic training -

(1) Purpose. The primary purpose of academic training is to permit a student, other than a student intern described in paragraph (i) of this section, to participate in an academic training program during his or her studies, without wages or other remuneration, with the approval of the academic dean or advisor and the responsible officer.

(2) Conditions. A student, other than a student intern described in paragraph (i) of this section, may be authorized to participate in an academic training program for wages or other remuneration:

(i) During his or her studies; or

(ii) Commencing not later than 30 days after completion of his or her studies, if the criteria, time limitations, procedures, and evaluations listed below in paragraphs (f)(3) through (f)(6) are satisfied:

(3) Criteria.

(i) The student is primarily in the United States to study rather than engage in academic training;

(ii) The student is participating in academic training that is directly related to his or her major field of study at the post-secondary accredited academic institution listed on his or her Form DS-2019;

(iii) The student is in good academic standing with the post-secondary accredited academic institution; and

(iv) The student receives written approval in advance from the responsible officer for the duration and type of academic training.

(4) Time limitations. The student is authorized to participate in academic training for the length of time necessary to complete the goals and objectives of the training, provided that the amount of time for academic training:

(i) Is approved by the academic dean or advisor and approved by the responsible officer;

(ii) For undergraduate and pre-doctoral training, does not exceed 18 months, inclusive of any prior academic training in the United States, or the period of full course of study in the United States, whichever is less; except that additional time for academic training is allowed to the extent necessary for the exchange visitor to satisfy the mandatory requirements of his or her degree program in the United States;

(iii) For post-doctoral training, does not exceed a total of 36 months, inclusive of any prior academic training in the United States as an exchange visitor, or the period of the full course of study in the United States, whichever is less.

(5) Procedures. To obtain authorization to engage in academic training:

(i) The student must present to the responsible officer a letter of recommendation from the student's academic dean or advisor setting forth:

(A) The goals and objectives of the specific academic training program;

(B) A description of the academic training program, including its location, the name and address of the training supervisor, number of hours per week, and dates of the training;

(C) How the academic training relates to the student's major field of study; and

(D) Why it is an integral or critical part of the academic program of the student.

(ii) The responsible officer must:

(A) Determine if and to what extent the student has previously participated in academic training as a student, in order to ensure the student does not exceed the period permitted in paragraph (f) of this section;

(B) Review the letter of recommendation required in paragraph (f)(5)(i) of this section; and

(C) Make a written determination of whether the academic training currently being requested is warranted and the criteria and time limitations set forth in paragraph (f)(3) and (4) of this section are satisfied.

(6) Evaluation requirements. The sponsor must evaluate the effectiveness and appropriateness of the academic training in achieving the stated goals and objectives in order to ensure the quality of the academic training program.

(g) Student employment. A student, other than a student intern described in paragraph (i) of this section, may engage in part-time employment when the following criteria and conditions are satisfied.

(1) The student employment:

(i) Is pursuant to the terms of a scholarship, fellowship, or assistantship;

(ii) Occurs on the premises of the post-secondary accredited academic institution the visitor is authorized to attend; or

(iii) Occurs off-campus when necessary because of serious, urgent, and unforeseen economic circumstances which have arisen since acquiring exchange visitor status.

(2) A student may engage in employment as provided in paragraph (g)(1) of this section if the:

(i) Student is in good academic standing at the post-secondary accredited academic institution;

(ii) Student continues to engage in a full course of study, except for official school breaks and the student's annual vacation;

(iii) Employment totals no more than 20 hours per week, except during official school breaks and the student's annual vacation; and

(iv) The responsible officer has approved the specific employment in advance and in writing. Such approval may be valid for up to 12 months, but is automatically withdrawn if the student's program is transferred or terminated.

(h) Duration of participation -

(1) Degree student. A student who is in a degree program may be authorized to participate in the Exchange Visitor Program as long as he or she is either:

(i) Studying at the post-secondary accredited academic institution listed on his or her Form DS-2019 and:

(A) Pursuing a full course of study as set forth in paragraph (e) of this section, and

(B) Maintaining satisfactory advancement towards the completion of the student's academic program; or

(ii) Participating in an authorized academic training program as permitted in paragraph (f) of this section.

(2) Non-degree student. A student who is in a non-degree program may be authorized to participate in the Exchange Visitor Program for up to 24 months. Such a student must be:

(i) Studying at the post-secondary accredited academic institution listed on his or her Form DS-2019 and:

(A) Participating full-time in a prescribed course of study; and

(B) Maintaining satisfactory advancement towards the completion of his or her academic program; or

(ii) Participating in an authorized academic training program as permitted in paragraph (f) of this section.

(3) Student intern. A student intern participating in a student internship program may be authorized to participate in the Exchange Visitor Program for up to 12 months for each degree/major as permitted in paragraph (i) of this section as long as the student intern is:

(i) Engaged full-time in a student internship program sponsored by the post-secondary accredited academic institution that issued Form DS-2019; and

(ii) Maintaining satisfactory advancement towards the completion of his or her student internship program.

(i) Student intern. The student intern is a foreign national enrolled in and pursuing a degree at an accredited post-secondary academic institution outside the United States and is participating in a student internship program in the United States that will fulfill the educational objectives for his or her current degree program at his or her home institution. The student intern must meet the following requirements:

(1) Criteria.

(i) In addition to satisfying the general requirements set forth in § 62.10(a), a sponsor must ensure that the student intern has verifiable English language skills sufficient to function on a day-to-day basis in the internship environment. English language proficiency must be verified through a sponsor-conducted interview, by a recognized English language test, or by signed documentation from an academic institution or English language school.

(ii) The student intern is primarily in the United States to engage in a student internship program rather than to engage in employment or provide services to an employer;

(iii) The student intern has been accepted into a student internship program at the post-secondary accredited academic institution listed on his or her Form DS-2019;

(iv) The student intern is in good academic standing with the post-secondary academic institution outside the United States from which he or she is enrolled in and pursuing a degree; and

(v) The student intern will return to the academic program and fulfill and obtain a degree from such academic institution after completion of the student internship program.

(2) Program requirements. In addition to the requirements set forth in Subpart A, a sponsor must ensure that:

(i) It does not issue Form DS-2019 to a potential participant in a student internship program until it has secured a placement for the student intern and it completes and secures the requisite signatures on Form DS-7002 (T/IPP);

(ii) A student intern has sufficient finances to support himself or herself and dependants for their entire stay in the United States, including housing and living expenses; and

(iii) The student internship program exposes participants to American techniques, methodologies, and technology and expands upon the participants' existing knowledge and skills. A program must not duplicate the student intern's prior experience.

(3) Obligations of student internship program sponsors.

(i) A sponsor designated by the Department to administer a student internship program must:

(A) Ensure that the student internship program is full-time (minimum of 32 hours a week); and

(B) Ensure that any host organization or other third party involved in the recruitment, selection, screening, placement, orientation, evaluation, or provision of a student internship program is sufficiently educated on the goals, objectives, and regulations of the Exchange Visitor Program and adheres to all regulations set forth in this part as well as all additional terms and conditions governing Exchange Visitor Program administration that the Department may from time to time impose.

(ii) A sponsor must ensure that it or any host organization acting on the sponsor's behalf:

(A) Has sufficient resources, plant, equipment, and trained personnel available to provide the specified student internship program;

(B) Does not displace full- or part-time or temporary or permanent American workers or serve to fill a labor need and ensures that the position that the student interns fills exists solely to assist the student intern in achieving the objectives of his or her participation in a student internship program; and

(C) Certifies that student internship programs in the field of agriculture meet all the requirements of the Fair Labor Standards Act, as amended (29 U.S.C. 201 et seq.) and the Migrant and Seasonal Agricultural Worker Protection Act, as amended (29 U.S.C. 1801 et seq.).

(iii) Screening and vetting host organizations. A sponsor must adequately screen all potential host organizations at which a student intern will be placed by obtaining the following information:

(A) The Dun & Bradstreet identification number (unless the host organization is an academic institution, government entity, or family farm);

(B) Employer Identification Number (EIN) used for tax purposes;

(C) Verification of telephone number, address, and professional activities via advertising, brochures, Web site, and/or feedback from prior participants; and

(D) Verification of Workman's Compensation Insurance Policy.

(iv) Site visits. A sponsor must conduct a site visit of any host organization that has not previously participated successfully in the sponsor's student internship program, has fewer than 25 employees, or has less than three million dollars in annual revenue. Any placement at an academic institution or at a Federal, State, or local government office is specifically excluded from this requirement. The purpose of the site visit is for the sponsor to ensure that each host organization possesses and maintains the ability and resources to provide structured and guided work-based learning experiences according to individualized T/IPPs, and that each host organization understands and meets its obligations set forth in this part.

(4) Use of third parties. A sponsor may engage a third party (including, but not limited to a host organization, partner, local business, governmental entity, academic institution, or any other foreign or domestic agent) to assist it in the conduct of its designated student internship program. Such a third party must have an executed written agreement with the sponsor to act on behalf of the sponsor in the conduct of the sponsor's program. This agreement must outline the full relationship between the sponsor and third party on all matters involving the administration of its exchange visitor program. A sponsor's use of a third party does not relieve the sponsor of its obligations to comply with and to ensure third party compliance with Exchange Visitor Program regulations. Any failure by any third party to comply with the regulations set forth in this part or with any additional terms and conditions governing Exchange Visitor Program administration that the Department may from time to time impose will be imputed to the sponsor.

(5) Evaluation requirements. In order to ensure the quality of a student internship program, a sponsor must develop procedures for evaluating all student interns. All required evaluations must be completed prior to the conclusion of a student internship program, and the student intern and his or her immediate supervisor must sign the evaluation forms. At a minimum, all programs require a concluding evaluation, and programs lasting longer than six months also require a midpoint evaluation. For programs exceeding six months' duration, at a minimum, midpoint and concluding evaluations are required. A sponsor must retain student intern evaluations (electronic or hard copy) for a period of at least three years following the completion of each student internship program.

(6) Employment, wages, or remuneration. A student intern is permitted to engage in full-time employment during the student internship program as outlined on his or her T/IPP, with or without wages or other compensation. Employment is not required for participation in the program. A student intern may be employed, however, only with the approval of the responsible officer and the student's home institution's dean or academic advisor.

(7) Training/Internship Placement Plan (Form DS-7002).

(i) A sponsor must fully complete and obtain requisite signatures for a Form DS-7002 for each student intern before issuing a Form DS-2019. A sponsor must provide to each signatory an executed copy of the Form DS-7002. Upon request, a student intern must present his or her fully executed Form DS-7002 to a Consular Official during the visa interview.

(ii) To further distinguish between work-based learning for student interns, which is permitted, and ordinary employment or unskilled labor which is not, a T/IPP must:

(A) State the specific goals and objectives of the student internship program (for each phase or component, if applicable);

(B) Detail the knowledge, skills, or techniques to be imparted to the student intern (for each phase or component, if applicable); and

(C) Describe the methods of performance evaluation and the frequency of supervision (for each phase or component, if applicable).

(8) Program exclusions. A sponsor designated by the Department to administer a student internship program must:

(i) Not place a student intern in an unskilled or casual labor position, in a position that requires or involves child care or elder care, a position in the field of aviation, or, in clinical positions or engaging in any other kind of work that involves patient care or contact, including any work that would require student interns to provide therapy, medication, or other clinical or medical care (e.g., sports or physical therapy, psychological counseling, nursing, dentistry, veterinary medicine, social work, speech therapy, or early childhood education);

(ii) Not place a student intern in a position, occupation, or business that could bring the Exchange Visitor Program or the Department into notoriety or disrepute;

(iii) Not engage or otherwise cooperate or contract with a staffing/employment agency to recruit, screen, orient, place, evaluate, or train student interns, or in any other way involve such agencies in an Exchange Visitor Program student internship program;

(iv) Ensure that the duties of a student intern as outlined in the T/IPP will not involve more than 20 per cent clerical work, and that all tasks assigned to a student intern are necessary for the completion of the student internship program; and

(v) Ensure that all “Hospitality and Tourism” student internship programs of six months or longer contain at least three departmental or functional rotations.

[73 FR 35068, June 20, 2008]