All our FAQs as related to this program are curated from the US State Department program website. We do not claim copyright of the statements provided as answers to questions on this page unless otherwise stated.
The BridgeUSA Program fosters global understanding through educational and cultural exchanges. All exchange visitors are expected to return to their home country upon completion of their program in order to share their exchange experiences.
Your current BridgeUSA Visa is ONLY applicable for your current exchange program
and under your current program sponsor.
Upon completion of your current BridgeUSA Program, you are expected to depart
the United States.
If you intend to pursue a 2nd exchange program (in a different category and with
a different sponsor),
you will need to apply for a new BridgeUSA Visa for your new exchange program
and new sponsor � in order to reenter the U.S. for the 2nd program
You may not arrive more than 30 days before the program start date shown on your DS-2019. Upon completion of your exchange program, you have a grace period of 30 days to depart the United States.
If your sponsor terminates your participation in their exchange program for just cause, the sponsor will enter this information into SEVIS and you will be expected to depart the United States immediately. You will not be entitled to the post-completion 30-day period because you did not successfully complete your program.
A SEVIS-generated Form DS-2019 is required when applying for the J-1 Visa. The DS-2019 is a controlled form provided to you by your program sponsor. It documents your acceptance to an exchange program sponsored by a State Department designated Exchange Visitor Program sponsor.