GUIDELINES FOR ACCEPTANCE OF AN EXCHANGE STUDENT FROM

PARTNER SCHOOLS TO NORTH PENN HIGH SCHOOL

The North Penn International Exchange Program is administered by theNorth Penn International Friendship Committee. (IFC).   The IFC is an accredited and licensed sponsor of Exchange Visitor Program (J-1 VISA) under the United States Department of Homeland Security and is goverened by the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System.   All students that become an exchange student through the IFC must comply with the regulations as defined by the Exchange Visitor Program and Pennsylvania State Law Immunization Requirements.

J-1 VISA REQUIREMENTS

1.     SCREENING AND SELECTION OF PARTICIPANTS

Students must be selected by the partner school based on the criteria set by that school and as agreed to by the certificate of agreement between the partner school and North Penn.  Selected students must make application to the North Penn program by completing the Exchange Student application which can be found on the IFC website www.northpennifc.org

2.     INSURANCE

Student applicants must have insurance in effect that covers them for sickness or accidents during the time of their exchange visitor program.   The minimum coverage must provide:

*Medical Benefits of at least $100,000 per accident or illness

*Repatriation of remains in the amount of $25.000

*Expenses associated with medical evacuation of the exchange visitor to his or her home country in the amount of $50,000

*A deductible not to exceed $500 per accident or illness

*A policy underwritten by an insurance carrier with:

– an A.M. Best rating of “A” or above

– a McGraw Hill Financial/Standard & Poor’s Claims   paying Ability rating of “A’ or above

– a Weiss Research, INc rating of “B+” or above

– a Fitch Ratings, Inc of “A-“ or above

– a Moody’s Investor Services rating of “A3” or above.

The sponsor (IFC) may ascertain that the participant’s policy is backed by the full faith and credit of the government of the exchange visitor’s home country.

If the applicants insurance does not meet the above criteria arrangements can be made to buy insurance through international insurance carriers such as:

a.  International Student Health Insurance

b.  HCC

c.   ISO

PROOF OF ADEQUATE INSURANCE COVERAGE MUST BE SENT TO IFC

 3.  PA REQUIRED IMMUNIZATION RECORDS

The student must have their family doctor fill out the Private Physician’s Report. The form for this report can be downloaded from the IFC website www.northpennifc.org or the form will be send to the student.

4.  ADDITIONAL CRITERIA

a.  Secondary School Students who have not completed more than 11 years of primary and secondary schooling, excluding kindergarten in their home country.

b.  At least 15 but not more than 18 ½ years of age on the date the student will begin his or her program.

c.  Without previous participation as an Exchange Student as a high school in the USA.

d.  Minimum 1 semester and maximum 1 academic year.

 

 

 

***THE STUDENT APPLICATION, THE PROOF OF ADEQUATE INSURANCE COVERAGE, AND THE PRIVATE PHYSICIAN’S REPORT MUST BE SENT TO THE IFC BEFORE THE DS-2019 CAN BE OBTAINED AND APPLIED FOR.   THE DS-2019 WILL BE NEEDED FOR THE STUDENTS TO OBTAIN HIS/HER J-I VISA. AS SOON AS THE STUDENT IS SELECTED BY THE PARTNER SCHOOL THESE DOCUMENTS NEED TO BE OBTAINED IN A TIMELY MANNER TO GIVE ADEQUATE TIME FOR OBTAINING THE VISA THROUGH THE CORRESPONDING EMBASSY