Travel waiver

From AFSWiki

A travel waiver is a legal release for independent travel, signed by the natural parents of an AFS-USA hosted student. The waiver itself is handled only by the AFS office in the sending country, however approval for travel is performed locally, and requests for a formal waiver are submitted to the sending country by the AFS-USA regional office.

AFS discourages independent travel away from the host community, and will not take responsibility for independent travel. AFS permission is required if the participant is traveling alone, with members of the natural family/relatives or with non-AFS groups whether inside or outside of the host country. Depending on the circumstances, AFS will require a Travel Waiver and an Activity Waiver if needed from the participant's natural parents releasing AFS from any costs, arrangements or responsibility for any actions to or by the participant during the travel period. The sending Partner would secure this Waiver from the natural parents. The participant must provide information regarding dates, itinerary, housing accommodation and telephone contact number.

Travel waivers are required for independent travel for any AFS-USA hosted student. However, they are not handled directly by the student or local volunteers, only the natural family and sending country. After the host family and local volunteers (liaison and Team Support Coordinator) confirm approval for the travel (typically via email or phone), the Team Support Coordinator sends notice to the AFS-USA regional office, who then request the travel waiver from the AFS sending country.