The Department of State (Department) published an initial interim final rule (IFR) with request for comment on April 26, 2011 (2011 IFR), to amend the regulatory requirements of the Summer Work Travel category of the Exchange Visitor Program. In a second interim final rule (2012 IFR) published May 11, 2012, the Department expanded upon and provided guidance on additional regulatory changes and bolstered portions of the regulations both to further protect the health, safety, and welfare of Summer Work Travel (SWT) Program participants, and to reinforce the cultural exchange aspects of the SWT Program to promote mutual understanding in accordance with the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961. The 2012 IFR further reinforces the cultural exchange aspect of the SWT Program through the addition of a cultural component, and provides additional protection to program participants by describing types of job placements that are appropriate and by expanding the list of jobs prohibited under the SWT Program. The Department has reviewed the comments submitted in response to the 2011 IFR and the 2012 IFR.  The Department published an NPRM on January 12, 2017, with 45 days for comment.  The NPRM also recognizes comments from the 2012 IFR.  The NPRM aims to further protect the health, safety, and welfare of exchange visitors on the SWT Program, amends eligibility requirements for participation in the SWT Program, and places additional restrictions and requirements on sponsors implementing the SWT Program.