Visa Information

Information regarding policies, laws and regulations announed by U.S. government sources related to international student or scholar visas.

Background Information

• Visa Information from the U.S. Department of State
• U.S. State Department Main Page
• May 18, 2005 - Recommendations for Enhancing the U.S. Visa System to Advance America's Scientific and Economic Competitiveness and National Security Interests
• May 18, 2005 - Press Release: Recommendations for Enhancing the U.S. Visa System to Advance America's Scientific and Economic Competitiveness and National Security Interests
• Federal Register Notice: Participation in the Exchange Visitor Program as Professor and Research Scholar
• May 12, 2004 - Statement and Recommendations on Visa Problems Harming Americas Scientific, Ecomonic, ann Security Interests
• May 12, 2004 - Press Release: Leading Science, Higher-Education and Engineering Groups Urge Six Improvements to U.S. Visa-Processing Quagmire
• Important Information on Travel Visa Procedures

Federal Register Notices

November 1, 2006 - Department of State Notice of Effective Date for Implementation of Five-Year Professor and Research Scholar Exchange Program
By final rule adopted May 19, 2005, 70 FR 28815, the Department of State amended its regulations and extended the permitted program duration from three to five years for professor and researcher participants in the Exchange Visitor Program. This rule also established clear eligibility requirements for repeat participation as a professor or researcher in the Exchange Visitor Program following a two-year ban.

ASM Statements and Letters

May 18, 2005 - ASM Joins Leading Organizations with Recommendations for Enhancing the U.S. Visa System to Advance America's Scientific and Economic Competitiveness and National Security Interests
The ASM joined more than 40 leading academic, science and engineering associations today to urge the U.S. government to accelerate its efforts to reform the visa process for international students, scholars, and researchers. 

• Proposed Changes to the Immigration and Nationality Act, Section 214(b) and other Relevant Section
• Esxport Controls Background

May 12, 2004 - Leading Organizations Urge Six Improvements to U.S. Visa-Processing Quagmire
The ASM joined more than 20 science, higher-education and engineering groups urging the federal government to adopt six practical recommendations for solving the current visa-processing crisis, by removing unnecessary barriers to multi-national discoveries. (Press Release)

June 30, 2003 - ASM Sends Letter to Powell Regarding Visa Issues
On June 30, 2003 the ASM wrote to Secretary Colin Powell to ask the Department of State develop procedures and allocate resources necessary to assure prompt and appropriate action on visa requests for students and researchers seeking to study the microbiological sciences within the United States.