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Homebound Travel Information: Summer 2026

The Operations team is excited to continue offering flexible options for our exchange students' flights home at the end of their time in the US. This website will provide you with all the information you may need to have an informed conversation and select the best option for all involved.

Host families will confirm the last date of academic commitments and select the return travel option for the student in The Hub. Host families are responsible for notifying EF of the return travel selection for the student. Prior to notifying EF, we recommend all students speak with their parents and their host family to discuss travel options and preferences. Flight dates can be found at the bottom of this page.

Any questions?

Reach us at hsey.operations@ef.com or call/text 800-634-8351.

Option 1

Fly home on a recommended EF flight week

  • Recommended EF Flight weeks are determined by the student’s end-of-academic commitment date.

  • The flight must be from the host family's home airport to the student’s home airport.

  • Students will fly mid-week: Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday.

Option 2

Fly home on an alternate EF flight week

  • Students must depart after the last date of academic commitments and before June 30.

  • The flight must be from the host family's home airport to the student’s home airport.

  • The student’s host family must be able to host the student until their flight departs. It is not an option to stay with other families.

  • Host family and parent approval are both required for this option.

Option 3

Book your own flight (BYOF)

  • All other flight requests are required to utilize the Book Your Own Flight (BYOF) option.

  • This option offers a program fee reimbursement of $500-750 USD, depending on the home gateway.

  • Departure date out of the USA must be before July 10.

  • Host family and parent approval are both required for this option.

  • Students and student parents are responsible for booking, paying and submitting reimbursement for their flight with this option. Please note that host families cannot be reimbursed by EF for BYOF flight costs.

  • Students and student parents are also responsible for providing EF with the full travel itinerary.

  • Reimbursements are not available should the BYOF option be selected after an EF flight has been purchased.

  • No new host families may be screened to accommodate this option. 

  • If the return is scheduled for after June 30, students must purchase supplemental health insurance via their local student recruitment office.

Flight dates by school end date:
Traveling with pets

If students plan to travel home with pets, EF cannot guarantee that they will be booked on a pet-friendly airline and is unable to assist in securing a booking for pets. Students should select Option 3 (BYOF) to guarantee they will be able to travel with their pet.

Visa regulations

The US Department of State designates EF High School Exchange Year as the J1 visa sponsor for our exchange students. As stated in the US DOS regulations, sponsors may allow entry for not more than two academic semesters (or equivalency) duration. As such, their visa is not eligible for extension.

The EF HSEY exchange program and J1 visa end on June 10th. The J1 visa allots for a 30-day grace period by which to leave the country. Please note that J1 visa holders are not able to exit/re-enter the US during their grace period. Erika insurance coverage ends on June 30th.