Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible to apply, individuals must:

  • Be a citizen and resident of one of the eleven YSEALI nations (Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste, or Vietnam). Applicants living outside of the eleven eligible countries or on a long-term program will not be considered eligible to apply.

  • Be an emerging leader in government, civil society, or the private sector who has demonstrated expertise pertaining to the respective theme under which they are applying.

  • Be currently employed with at least two years of relevant professional experience at the time of application.

  • Be a mid-level professional, between 25 and 35 at the time of application.

  • Be self-directed and adapt easily to new environments and working styles.

  • Be able to identify an objective/project of their own selection that the applicant would like to complete in their workplace or community.

  • Have demonstrated proficiency in written and oral English.

  • Have demonstrated leadership promise in their countries’ political, economic, private and public sectors and are committed to implementing projects that foster collaboration with the United States and promote freedom, innovation, and good governance.

The following individuals are NOT eligible to apply:

  • U.S. citizens and permanent residents of the United States.

  • Individuals currently participating in academic, training, or research programs, or who are currently working in the United States.

  • Individuals who have already participated in a U.S.-based YSEALI Exchange.

  • Individuals who are not citizens, qualified to hold a passport from one of the participating countries.

  • Individuals residing or working outside the eligible YSEALI nations at the time of the program.

  • Individuals who have participated in an exchange visitor program sponsored or funded by the U.S. government (e.g., Public Diplomacy Sections at U.S. embassies or other U.S. government agency) and who have not fulfilled their two-year home residency requirement by the time of the application.

  • Individuals who have applied for U.S. permanent residency in the past three years.