[Federal Register Volume 89, Number 42 (Friday, March 1, 2024)]
[Notices]
[Page 15252]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2024-04305]


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DEPARTMENT OF STATE

[Public Notice: 12344]


Exchange Visitor Program

ACTION: Notice of an arrangement through a Memorandum of Understanding 
and modification of certain regulatory requirements.

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SUMMARY: In accordance with the requirements of the Exchange Visitor 
Program (EVP) regulations, the Assistant Secretary for Educational and 
Cultural Affairs (ECA), U.S. Department of State, has modified certain 
regulatory provisions to permit Austrian dual/vocational education 
students or recent graduates of such programs to participate in 
internship and training programs in the United States, providing these 
exchange visitors an opportunity to gain broadening international 
experience.

DATES: This action was effective on January 31, 2024.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Rebecca Pasini, Deputy Assistant 
Secretary for Private Sector Exchange at 2200 C Street NW, SA-5, 5th 
Floor, Washington, DC 20522. or via email at <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2d6768554e454c434a485e6d5e594c5948034a425b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="5d1718253e353c333a382e1d2e293c2938733a322b">[email protected]</span></a> or by 
telephone at (202) 826-4364.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: A new program between the United States and 
the Republic of Austria has been established in accordance with 
existing Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) regulations (22 CFR part 62), 
including regulations applying to the Intern and Trainee categories (22 
CFR 62.22). The program supports the purposes of the Fulbright-Hayes 
Act by increasing participants' understanding of American culture and 
society and enhancing Americans' knowledge of Austrian culture and 
skills through an open interchange of ideas. A key goal of the 
Fulbright-Hays Act, which authorizes the EVP Intern and Trainee 
categories of exchange, is that exchange visitors will return to their 
home countries and share their experiences in the United States.
    The new exchange between the United States and Austria allows EVP 
participation of Austrian citizens aged 18 to 30 who are currently 
enrolled in (or are within 12 months of graduation at the time of 
program application) an Austrian accredited post-secondary or dual/
vocational education program outside the United States. The Austrian 
dual/vocational education program is unique in that Austrian students 
conduct on-the-job trainingwhile they receive a combination of 
theoretical and practical training in vocational schools and colleges. 
Under current EVP regulations (22 CFR 62.22(d)(2)), trainees must be 
foreign nationals who have either a degree or professional certificate 
from a foreign post-secondary academic institution and at least one 
year of prior related work experience in their occupational field 
acquired outside the United States or five years of work experience in 
their occupational field acquired outside the United States. Under 
current regulations (22 CFR 62.22(d)(3)), intern exchange visitors must 
be enrolled in a foreign degree- or certificate-granting post-secondary 
academic institution or have recently graduated (within 12 months of 
program start date) from such an institution. Austrian exchange 
visitors will not need to have lengthy work experience or be enrolled 
in an academic institution in their home country prior to participating 
in a training or internship program.
    Austrian exchange visitors will be placed for periods of between 
six and twelve months at up to two U.S. private companies or non-profit 
institutions. Austrian exchange visitors will have at least two 
rotations evenly divided over the length of their program. In the first 
rotation, Austrian exchange visitors may be placed in a routine (entry-
level) assignment, but they must have progressively more responsibility 
in their second rotation. The second rotation is permitted to be at the 
same placement institution as the first but must give the exchange 
visitor more responsibility. If they so choose, Austrian exchange 
visitors may conduct two training rotations in more advanced 
assignments to cover the full length of their program without 
conducting an initial routine (entry-level) component.
    Under the arrangement, the government of the Republic of Austria 
has established a reciprocal program permitting U.S. citizens aged 18 
to 30 and who have recently graduated (within 12 months at the time of 
program application) from a U.S. degree, diploma, or certificate-
granting educational institution to participate in a working holiday 
program. Participants may stay in Austria for up to 12 months, pursuing 
employment with one or more organizations to supplement their funds or 
for educational purposes without the need for a work permit while they 
are on the cultural exchange.

Lee A. Satterfield,
Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, 
Department of State.
[FR Doc. 2024-04305 Filed 2-29-24; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4710-05-P


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