Department of State International Visitor Program

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About the Program
The International Visitor Program of the United States Department of State annually brings to the United States approximately 5,000 foreign nationals from all over the world to meet and confer with their professional counterparts and to experience America firsthand. The visitors, who are selected by American Foreign Service Officers overseas, are current or potential leaders in government, politics, the media, education, labor relations, the arts, business and other fields.
Among the thousands of distinguished individuals who have participated in the International Visitor Program since its inception more than five decades ago are more than 130 current and former Chiefs of State, 600 cabinet-level ministers, and many other distinguished leaders from the public and private sectors.

The invitation to visit the United States under the auspices of Department of State's IV Program is extended by U.S. Embassies. For that reason, individuals cannot apply to participate in the program. As mentioned, candidates for the International Visitor Program are nominated by American Foreign Service Officers stationed at U.S. Embassies and at Department of State offices overseas. Once the nominations are approved, the program and other logistical arrangements are handled by Department of State staff overseas and in Washington, D.C.

Two types of visitors make up the International Visitor Program -- Grant Visitors and Voluntary Visitors. Grant Visitors or "Grantees" travel to the U.S. for periods generally ranging from 21 to 30 days. All Grantees receive full or, in some cases, at least partial funding from Department of State for their U.S. visits. Voluntary Visitors generally stay for shorter periods of time, usually 2-14 days, and receive little or no funding from Department of State, including no funding for international travel. Both Grantees and Voluntary Visitors travel to the U.S. either as individuals or in group projects. The group or thematic projects focus on a particular issue such as the U.S. economy or electoral system. Group projects can bring together colleagues with similar professional interests from particular countries, geographic regions or worldwide.

Arrangements for all International Visitors are made by program officers assigned to the Office of International Visitors, which is part of Department of State's Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Department of State program officers work in concert with a broad range of private, not-for-profit organizations operating under cooperative agreements with Department of State. There are seven program agencies that assist Department of State with program arrangements.

Rochester International Council
Morey Hall, Room 229, University of Rochester Rochester, NY 14627 USA
phone (585) 275-8779 fax (585) 756-8086 e-mail: jw@rifc.org
Office Hours: 10:30 am to 5:00 pm Eastern Time, Monday-Friday,
closed Thursday