U.S. Announces Youth Exchange Opportunity for Pakistani Students in 2027
Pakistani students will have the opportunity to participate in a semester-long educational and cultural exchange in the United States through the Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program for Spring 2027.
The U.S.-supported initiative is aimed at Pakistani secondary-school students and provides selected participants with the chance to attend an American high school, live with a host family, and take part in community service, leadership and cultural activities.
YES Program 2027 for Pakistani Students
The YES Program 2027 is scheduled to start in January 2027 and will allow selected Pakistani students to experience everyday academic and community life in the United States.
Alongside attending school, participants will engage in activities designed to promote cultural understanding and leadership. Students will also have the opportunity to introduce their Pakistani culture to their American communities while learning more about American society and traditions.
The Kennedy-Lugar YES Program was established by the U.S. Congress in 2002 with the broader objective of building stronger connections between young people in the United States and students from participating countries.
Pakistan has been part of the program since 2003, with more than 1,500 Pakistani students having participated in the exchange over the years.
Eligibility Criteria for Pakistani Students
The Spring 2027 intake had specific requirements that applicants needed to meet.
Students were required to be between 15 and 17 years old as of January 1, 2027. Eligible candidates had to be born between January 1, 2010, and January 1, 2012.
Students studying in grades 8, 9 or 10 in Pakistan were eligible to apply. Students enrolled in O Levels could also apply if they were in grades 9 or 10, while students in O Level 11 were not eligible.
Applicants were required to have achieved at least 60% in each of their previous three academic years. They also needed to maintain a minimum 60% score in key subjects, including English, Mathematics and Science.
Candidates were required to be Pakistani citizens living in Pakistan and demonstrate sufficient English-language ability.
Other Conditions for Applicants
The program also included several additional eligibility conditions.
Students who had repeated an academic year or taken a gap year were not eligible. Those who had already completed or graduated from secondary school before the exchange began were also excluded.
Applicants who had previously travelled to the United States could not participate. Dual nationals were likewise not eligible under the program’s conditions.
The eligibility rules also placed restrictions on applicants who were children or siblings of YES alumni or certain staff members associated with the Society for International Education and iEARN Pakistan.
Applicants also needed to satisfy the requirements for obtaining a U.S. J-1 exchange visitor visa.
Application Process
Students who met the requirements were asked to complete their applications through the official YES Pakistan platform.
The application had to be completed electronically before being printed, reviewed and signed manually. Candidates were required to provide school-attested copies of their final academic results for the 2023-24, 2024-25 and 2025-26 academic years.
Applicants also needed to submit a photocopy of an acceptable identification document, such as a NADRA B-Form, Smart Card, Family Registration Certificate or birth certificate.
The completed application and supporting documents were required to be sent through post or courier to the Society for International Education in Karachi. Applications submitted by hand or through other methods were not accepted.
Merit-Based Selection Process
Meeting the eligibility requirements did not guarantee selection.
The YES Program follows a competitive, merit-based selection process. Shortlisted students may be required to complete an English-language assessment, a supervised essay, a detailed application and an interview.
Final participants are selected based on the overall selection process and their suitability for the international exchange experience.
Application Deadline
The deadline for the Spring 2027 YES Program was September 15, 2026.
As of September 17, 2026, the application period for the Spring 2027 intake has closed. Students who did not submit their applications before the deadline will therefore need to wait for a future intake if another application cycle is announced.
Educational and Cultural Experience in the United States
The YES Program offers more than an opportunity to attend an American school. Participants become part of an international cultural exchange that combines education, community engagement and leadership development.
During their stay, Pakistani students can experience American school and community life while sharing their own culture with host families and local communities.
The program also gives participants the opportunity to build international relationships and join a broader network of YES alumni after completing their exchange.
With the Spring 2027 cohort scheduled to begin in January 2027, the program remains an important international exchange initiative connecting Pakistani youth with educational and cultural experiences in the United States.