Academics, Researchers & Students

Exchange Student

In general anyone wishing to study at an academic institution in the United States requires a student (F-1) visa. However, a student who is pursuing a full course of study at an academic institution outside the United States and who is required to study at a U.S. academic institution for a semester or academic year as part of their curriculum, may require an exchange visitor (J-1) visa. The student should contact the U.S. institution to ascertain whether or not an exchange visitor program is in operation. If there is no exchange visitor program, the student will require a student visa.

School children taking part in a school exchange with an American high school are eligible for B-2 visas, or visa free travel under the Visa Waiver Program, if otherwise qualified. If they intend remaining in the United States for a term or semester, however, they will require the appropriate J-1 or F-1 visa.

Professor/Lecturer/Speaker

Members of the academic profession coming to the United States to engage in usual academic activities such as lecturing, may travel on a B-1 visa or visa free under the Visa Waiver Program. Those who will receive an honorarium in addition to incidental expenses may still be eligible for the B-1 visa provided all of the following are met:

• the activities will last no longer than nine days at a single institution;


• the institution is a nonprofit research organization or a governmental research organization, or an institution of higher education, or a related or affiliated nonprofit entity;


• such activities are conducted for the benefit of the institution or entity; and


• the individual concerned has not accepted such payment or expenses from five such institutions during the previous six month period. If the proposed activities are not exactly as described, an exchange visitor (J-1) or temporary work (H-1) visa will be required.

Medical Elective

A medical student studying at a foreign medical school and who seeks to enter the United States temporarily in order to take an “elective clerkship” at a U.S. medical school’s hospital without remuneration from the hospital may be eligible for a B-1 visa, or visa free travel under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Note: The medical clerkship is only for medical students pursuing their normal third or fourth year internship in a U.S. medical school as part of a foreign medical school degree. (An “elective clerkship’ affords practical experience and instructions in the various disciplines of medicine under the supervision and direction of faculty physicians at a U.S. medical school’s hospital as an approved part of the alien’s foreign medical school education. It does not apply to graduate medical training, which normally requires a J-visa).

If applying for a visa, a letter from the U.S. medical school outlining the nature and duration of the elective clerkship should accompany the application. If traveling under the VWP, the letter from the school should be presented to the U.S. immigration official at the port of entry.

Students seeking training as physiotherapists, dentists, nurses or vets require either an exchange visitor (J-1) or trainee (H-3) visa .

Conference

Participants in scientific, educational, professional, or business conventions, conferences or seminars may travel to the United States on a B-1 visa or visa free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if otherwise qualified. Holders of B-1 visas or those who have entered the United States under the VWP may present a paper at a conference, provided there is no remuneration from a U.S. source other than expenses incidental to the stay. Anyone who will receive an honorarium in addition to incidental expenses may still be eligible for the B-1 visa or travel under the VWP provided all of the following are met:

• the activities will last no longer than nine days at a single institution;
• the institution is a nonprofit research organization or a governmental research organization, or an institution of higher education, or a related or affiliated nonprofit entity;
• such activities are conducted for the benefit of the institution or entity; and
• the delegate has not accepted such payment or expenses from five such institutions during the previous six month period. If the proposed activities are not exactly as described, an exchange visitor (J-1) or temporary work (H-1) visa will be required.

Note: The applications of those seeking visas to attend a technical conference may be subject to additional administrative processing. I regret that we are unable to provide you with any guidance on how long it may take. Therefore, do not make any final travel plans until you have received your passport with a visa in it.

Researcher

An individual who will engage in independent research may be eligible for a B-1 visa or visa free travel under the Visa Waiver Program provided there is no remuneration from a U.S. source and the results of the research will not benefit the American institution. Those who will receive payment from a U.S. source and/or the U.S. institution will benefit from the results of the research, will require an exchange visitor (J-1) or temporary work (H-1) visa.

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