NSP Exchange Visitor Program Guidelines

The national office is currently accepting applications for the 2022 – 2023 season. If you have any immediate concerns or questions, please email memberrecords@nsp.org

The National Ski Patrol has been utilizing the Exchange Visitor Program (EVP) for 26 years under the supervision of NSP Alumni member Bob Black. The EVP is run through the U.S. State Department and offers several programs for foreign nationals to come to the U.S. through a J1 Visa Sponsorship. The NSP utilizes the EVP to bring international patrollers to the U.S. as Specialists. While the international patrollers learn about local best practices and systems, local patrollers gain exposure to international expertise and skills. The international patroller must get approval from the U.S. Patrol Director before starting the approval process.

Who — All Patrols

  • Paid/ Full Time Employment
  • Ages 18+
  • Located in the U.S.

When —  Ski/ Winter Season

  • September 15th – May 15th (30 Day grace period after departure date)
  • Applications accepted at NSP national office March 1 – August 31

Cost
 $400 application fee per Exchange Visitor Patroller; $0 for J2 family members

  • Children must be under the age of 21 throughout the visa sponsorship
  • Patroller must be married to spouse/partner

Payment

  • Application fee payment will be accepted through PayPal from either the mountain or patroller within 60 days of the DS2019 form submission
  • A domestic check will also be accepted (Send to the NSP Office at 133 South Van Gordon Street, Suite 100, Lakewood, CO 80228)

Approval Process

Exchange Visitor Patroller reaches out to the patrol that he/she would like to join and gets approval from the Patrol Director. To find a patrol, visit the Where We Work page.

Exchange Visitor Patroller sends request via email to memberrecords@nsp.org

ARO/RO sends introduction letter to patroller via email requesting documentation in physical form:

  • Notarized copy of passport
  • Certified copy of birth certificate
  • 4 passport-sized photos in color
  • Resume/CV
  • Arrival date in the U.S.
  • Contact information (email, phone number, U.S. physical address)
  • Additional J2 information, if applicable (If they are a returning Exchange Visitor Patroller, we don’t need J1/J2 documentation if already on file at the national office)

Once documentation is received by the NSP Office:

  • ARO/RO (see below) processes the patroller’s information in the SEVIS website and generates a DS2019 form
  • ARO/RO sends follow up email letter with patroller’s SEVIS ID# and instructions on how to set up an embassy interview in the patroller’s home country
  • ARO/RO sends DS2019 form via USPS to the patroller’s address
  • Exchange Visitor Patroller notifies the NSP office of arrival in the U.S. within 30 days of the assigned arrival date
  • ARO/RO changes patroller’s status to active in the SEVIS website

Responsible Officer: Bob Black, Alumni (RO)