Our Work Educational/Outreach Activity International Visitors Office

International Visitors Office

In progress

Any project, supported or not by a committee, that is currently being worked on or is considered active, and will have an end date.

Regional focus

Global

North America

Topics

Law, Society and Justice

Space, Security and Conflicts

The International Visitors Office assists international students, scholars, and other travelers who are coming to the United States for scientific purposes. The IVO additionally provides resources to the broader scientific community on visa interview preparation, travel to the United States, and international conference organizing.

About Publications/Resources

Meeting Organizer Resources

If you are a conference organizer who anticipates high international participant attendance (typically over 100 attendees), you are encouraged to complete an online International Meeting Registration Form for your event. This data will be analyzed and used in ongoing efforts to increase scientific freedom.

PLAN AHEAD! - Since foreign attendees will need to apply for their visas at least three to four months in advance, meeting organizers are advised to send invitations letters to their attendees as early as possible.

We highly recommend that meeting organizers send participants an invitation letter to be submitted by the applicant when he or she applies for the visa. It is also recommended that visa applicants have documentation that demonstrates the purpose of their trip. Letters that notify attendees that their paper has been accepted for presentation at the meeting may suffice, but sometimes a more personalized letter is needed.

Sending an Invitation Letter
When sending a letter of invitation, be aware that signing such a letter imparts the imprimatur of the host organization -- whether it is a professional society or international union. Therefore, we recommend that the letter state only those things about the applicant that the person signing the letter can verify. If you decide that an invitation is appropriate, send it as early as possible and include the following specific information:
- Name, dates, location and purpose of the meeting;
- Name, date of birth, and passport number (if known) of the attendee;
- Information on how transportation and local expenses are to be funded;
- Information on the organization sponsoring the meeting and relationship to the attendee; and
- Name, title, contact information (phone, fax, e-mail, meeting Web site) of person responsible for the meeting, in case the consular officer has further questions.
Visit the State Department Business Visa Center for more information.
U.S. visas are issued by American consular officials according to the requirements of the Immigration and Nationality Act. Some U.S. consulates receive hundreds of visa applications each week. Security checks and interviews are required for most visitor visas, resulting in a process that may take three months or more from the time of the visa application. Citizens of certain countries must have an invitation in hand before they can obtain a passport from their government and then apply for a U.S. entry visa.
Committed to encouraging international scientific exchange and collaboration, the International Visitors Office has been collecting data on the problems that individuals in the sciences are experiencing with visa applications. If your meeting participants experience difficulties in applying for a visa, they can report their case to us through the IVO Questionnaire. Please consult the questionnaire for details on eligibility.

U.S. Visa Policy Resources

All links will take you away from the National Academies website.
U.S. State Department
Overview of U.S. Visa Policy
Overview of laws, visa processing time, and helpful links

Business Visa Center
Information resource for temporary visitors (B1/B2 visas) and meeting organizers
Information on Recent Consular Developments
Visa Policy News
Statistical Reports
Reports of statistical information on immigrant and non-immigrant visa issuance
All links will take you away from the National Academies website.
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
Study in the United States
Information hub for the international student community

Statistical Reports
Reports of statistical information on immigrant and non-immigrant populations

Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)
International travelers who are seeking to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program are now subject to the enhanced security requirements of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). ESTA is an automated system used to determine the eligibility of visitors to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and whether such travel poses any law enforcement or security risk.
All links will take you away from the National Academies website.
NAFSA: Association of International Educators
Visa regulatory updates from the Association of International Educators
Institute of International Education
Report on international educational exchange (OpenDoors Online)
Association of American Universities (AAU)
AAU reports on visa and immigration issues
ICSU: International Council for Science
On Freedom, Responsibility and Universality of Science

Commissioned Paper

BISO Visa Survey Report

Commissioned Paper

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International Visitors Office

Dropdown items

Meeting Organizer Resources

What can I do for my visitors?

How are visas issued?

What can I do in the event of visa delays?

U.S. Visa Policy Resources

U.S. Visa Policy Resources

U.S. Department of State Resources

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Resources

U.S. Customs and Border Protection Resources

Other Resources

Commissioned Paper