Which U.S. Federal Agencies Can Request an Interested Government Agency Waiver?
DOS states that any U.S. federal government agency may request a J-1 waiver under the Interested Government Agency basis when the agency has the required interest in the exchange visitor's work.
Any U.S. federal agency may request
DOS expressly states that any U.S. federal government agency may request a waiver under the IGA basis.
The agency must still have a legitimate interest
Legal ability to request a waiver does not mean every agency will sponsor every applicant. The agency must determine that the applicant's continued presence serves the public interest and that departure would harm an agency program or activity.
The DOS list is not necessarily exhaustive
DOS specifically cautions that its list does not contain every federal agency. It includes information supplied by agencies that have identified individuals authorized to sign waiver requests.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IGA limited to a short list of agencies?
No. DOS states that any U.S. federal government agency may request an IGA waiver.
Does absence from the DOS designated-official list mean an agency cannot sponsor?
Not necessarily. DOS says the list contains only agencies that supplied designated-official information.
Does an agency have to be the applicant's employer?
No. DOS refers more broadly to a project for or of interest to the federal agency.
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