YSEALI Professional Exchange (YSEALI PE), U.S. Department of State
United States (hybrid, with virtual activities)
Closes
10:00 Eastern Time · 31 days left
Check the date on the official page before you apply.
Source: ysealiexchange.org · Checked 7 Nov 2026 · Link broken or details changed?
Why I picked this
“The State Department covers all travel, visa, and living costs for finalists—there are no required fees. You must be aged 25–35 and a citizen and resident of one of eleven Southeast Asian countries; applications close 10 December 2026.”
H Harshit, curator
About this opportunity
YSEALI Professional Exchange is a U.S. Department of State programme for emerging leaders from Southeast Asia. You spend six weeks in the United States, including a four-week placement with a U.S. company, nonprofit or government office, to build practical experience and professional networks. Themes include innovation, entrepreneurship and emerging technologies, energy and resource management, governance and accountability, and peace and security.
It is for working professionals aged 25 to 35 who are citizens and residents of Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste or Vietnam. You need at least two years of relevant experience, good English, and an idea for a project to carry out in your workplace or community.
The programme is hybrid. Before travel you take part in virtual sessions, an online leadership course and an alumni mentor programme. Finalists have international travel, visa and U.S. living costs covered. You choose between a Fall 2027 and a Spring 2028 cohort. Afterwards you design a follow-on Action Plan, and some alumni may receive funding to carry it out.
Not eligible: US citizens and permanent residents, anyone currently studying, training or working in the US, past U.S.-based YSEALI participants, and anyone who has applied for US permanent residency in the past three years.
Apply online by 10:00 am Eastern Time on 10 December 2026. You will need a CV, three written essays, a leadership video essay, one professional reference and signed agreements. Start by checking the eligibility page, then begin your application in the portal. You can save your work as you go.
What happens when you tap Check my fit
- You add your CV or profile.Upload a PDF, or paste your CV, LinkedIn or portfolio text. It stays private to you.
- We show if you can apply, what they look for and where you fit.Each line quotes the official page and what you shared, or says it is not there. Then what to lead with and what to do next.
- You decide.If you want a plan with first drafts of your answers, built only from what you shared, it is INR 499 or USD 9. You make it yours and apply yourself.