What is meant by program validation?
When a foreign national enters the United States to participate in an exchange visitor program, they must report to the sponsor who issued the Form DS-2019 used to acquire the J-visa so that the sponsor’s officials can record his/her arrival in SEVIS, validating their active participation in the sponsors exchange visitor program. When this is done, the participant’s SEVIS record is changed from Initial status (awaiting arrival) to Active status (arrived and reported to sponsor). Failure to report to your sponsor upon arrival in the United States will jeopardize your valid program visa status.
When a foreign national enters the United States to participate in an exchange visitor program, they must report to the sponsor who issued the Form DS-2019 used to acquire the J-visa so that the sponsor’s officials can record his/her arrival in SEVIS, validating their active participation in the sponsors exchange visitor program. When this is done, the participant’s SEVIS record is changed from Initial status (awaiting arrival) to Active status (arrived and reported to sponsor). Failure to report to your sponsor upon arrival in the United States will jeopardize your valid program visa status. Can I change my residence during my program? Check with your sponsor prior to becoming a participant. Whether you can change your residence during your exchange program depends on the contract or arrangements you made with your sponsor or the potential employer. Some pre-arranged employment conditions include accommodations as a part of the employment agreement. In this case, you cannot seek other
