Candidates will be considered without respect to race, color, religion, national origin, or gender. Persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Competition for the USTL is merit-based and open to anyone who:

• Is a citizen, national, or permanent resident qualified to hold a valid passport issued by the government of Timor-Leste;
• Has completed or is in the process of completing his/her final year of secondary school;
• Submits a complete application with all required documents by the application deadline;
• Is able to begin the academic exchange program in the United States in August 2017;
• Will be at least 18 years old when the program starts;
• Is eligible for admission to a U.S. undergraduate degree program or will become eligible upon completion of an ESL program;
• Is able to receive and maintain a J-1 visa;
• Is committed to returning to his/her home country after completion of the program;
• Is proficient in spoken and written English at the time of application; and
• Meets any additional requirements of the college or university where placement is being sought.

Individuals in the following circumstances are NOT eligible for the USTL Program:

• U.S. citizens and permanent residents of the United States;
• Employees of the U.S. Embassy, and their immediate families, for a period ending one year following termination of such employment.
• Persons arrested for, charged with, or convicted of a crime (excluding minor traffic violations).