Advice for Visa Applicants Planning to Engage in Technology-Related Business or Study

If you are involved in technical or scientific fields, your visa application may require administrative processing of approximately four to eight weeks. If you think this requirement will affect you, apply for your visa as early as possible, prepare for your visa interview well in advance and bring to your visa interview the following documents:

Invitation:  An invitation letter from the sponsoring organization in the U.S.  For graduate students, workers and exchange visitors, this letter should include your supervisor or advisor and details about your work.

Resume:  A detailed resume/CV, including your professional and academic background, and a list of all your publications.

Itinerary:  An itinerary of all locations you will visit in the U.S, including contact names, organizations, addresses, and telephone numbers.

Equipment:  A complete description of any equipment you plan to purchase or examine, including the equipment's use and users.

Export License:  An export license issued by the U.S. Government for the equipment you plan to purchase.

Research:  A complete and detailed description of your current and past research, and any research you intend to conduct in the U.S, including a description of the practical applications of your research or study.

Purpose:  A detailed statement of the purpose of your visit to the U.S. 
 
Funding:  Information on who is funding your trip.
 
Travelers:  A list of all the travelers who will accompany you, including family members and colleagues.

Position:  Your current job title and a full description of your work.
 
Further Instructions & Information:

• All documentation must be in English
• You should be ready to answer specific questions during the visa interview about your research plans in the U.S.
• If you do not bring complete information to your visa interview, for example, an invitation letter,  your resume and research summary, you may have your application delayed even further, or may be refused a visa and be required to apply again.
• Processing of your application cannot begin until you have provided all the documentation requested at the time of the interview.
• You can check the status of your case online here.