Any Legal Requirements to Homestay a Kid?

[tlarnla]

My daughter has a friend from Japan who asked if she could homestay with us.

Sounds good to me. I'm familiar with both Japanese and American school systems and cultures, so I can help bridge some misunderstandings, and help with any potential language barriers.

Is there any legal requirements or red tape I need to go through?

[Ruth4Truth]

You're not giving us enough information. How long a homestay? A week? A month? A semester? A year?


And how old is this friend? What grade? How good is her English? How would she get a visa, and what type of visa? Would she be attending school, or would this be during a school vacation break? Or is the friend already in the US?

[StealthRabbit]

Just follow the rules.

Three of our friends teach private k-12 in Colorado and their school is ~1/2 Asian (Mostly Chinese), sponsored into private homes.

https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/gui...rough-grade-12

Apply to an SEVP-Certified School
Only schools certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) can accept international students, and SEVP only certifies certain types of K-12 schools:

Private K-12 schools, at all grade levels.
Public high schools (grade nine–grade 12).
This means that public primary schools (i.e., kindergarten to grade eight) are not allowed to accept F-1 students. Use the Study in the States School Search page to make sure the school you are interested in attending is SEVP certified. Using the page, you can search by school name, location, education or visa type. Once you find the right school for you, follow the school’s instructions to apply.

This website is not 100% clear and instructional (Official website of the Department of Homeland Security), but will give you enough info to ask the right questions.

these have better information.
https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...dent-visa.html
https://travel.state.gov/content/tra...c-schools.html
https://www.ice.gov/sevis/schools

https://www.alllaw.com/articles/nolo...-f-1-visa.html

We were in the reverse situation, schooling our (US) kids internationally.

Since we traveled every day with my work, we Homeschooled (which was illegal for residents in most countries we lived.) We had to be 'stealth' (which comes easy for me). You would certainly have a greater risk in the USA as a foreign national on USA soil. Follow the rules, and have fun. Hosting people from different cultures, especially in learning situations is educational for all. (As we are doing tonight in our home, and have done for over 40 yrs). My parents and my spouse's parents all hosted Foreign students and their families.

[VeresBenedek]

Originally Posted by tlarnla

My daughter has a friend from Japan who asked if she could homestay with us.

Sounds good to me. I'm familiar with both Japanese and American school systems and cultures, so I can help bridge some misunderstandings, and help with any potential language barriers.

Is there any legal requirements or red tape I need to go through?

Yes, there may be legal requirements and paperwork involved in hosting a foreign student for a homestay. These can vary depending on your location. It's important to check visa requirements, contact the school or program, conduct background checks, address any medical requirements, establish legal guardianship if necessary, and ensure insurance coverage for the student. Additionally, inform local authorities or relevant agencies about the arrangement if required.