International Visitor Leadership Program

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International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP)

About the Program

The International Visitor Leadership Program brings approximately 5,000 foreign nationals to the United States annually 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 Leadership Program worldwide since its inception more than five decades ago are more than 200 current and former Chiefs of State, 1,500 cabinet-level ministers, and many, many other distinguished leaders from the public and private sectors.

Conditions: Grant Visitors

Individuals cannot apply to participate in the program.  American Foreign Service Officers stationed at U.S. embassies, and other Department of State officers overseas, nominate individuals to visit the United States under the auspices of the International Visitor Leadership Program. 

Once the nominations are approved, program and other logistical arrangements are handled by Department of State staff overseas and in Washington D.C.  Program officers assigned to the Office of International Visitors make arrangements for all International Visitors. The department staff works in concert with a broad range of private, not-for-profit organizations operating under cooperative agreements with the Department of State.

In addition to program agencies, the International Visitor Leadership Program also relies on the commitment and skills of volunteer-based community organizations across the U.S. whose members offer professional program assistance and home hospitality. These volunteer organizations are known as Councils for International Visitors (CIV). There are currently 93 CIVs in 43 states.

Project Descriptions

Participants in the International Visitor Leadership Program are fully funded by the Office of International Visitors and are called “grant visitors”.  These "Grantees" travel to the U.S. for periods of up to 21 days. These International Visitors travel to the U.S. either as individuals or as part of a group project.

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. Grant visitors can participate in Multi-Regional Projects (MRP), African Regional Projects (AFRP), Single Country Projects (SCP), Young African Leaders Projects (YALP), and Individuals Traveling Together (ITT) projects.