Business Executive Program

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

A limited number of students, scholars and business persons involved in high-level scientific fields may need to have their visa application referred to the Department of State for additional processing before the Embassy may issues a visa. Only the interviewing visa officer can make the determination whether an applicant's file needs additional processing. In most cases, this process takes between four to six weeks, although it sometimes takes longer. Persons who think they may be affected by this requirement should apply as early as possible.

Applicants can help make this process faster by being prepared for their visa interviews. For example, graduate students and visiting scholars should bring a copy of their resume or curriculum vitae (CV); a list of their publications (if any); a summary of their past and future research; information on their advisor or sponsor in the United States, including a mailing address and telephone number (for example, a copy of his/her webpage); and a list of references. This information should be in English. Applicants should also be ready to answer specific questions about their research plans in the United States.

In addition, we request that the applicant complete the following form and bring a printed copy to the interview.

Questionnaire
(pdf document)


Applicants who do not bring complete information to the interview (e.g., their resume and their research summary, and completed form) may have their applications delayed even further, or may be refused a visa and asked to apply again.

As soon as the processing of the applicant's visa is complete, we will contact the applicant and explain how he/she can pick up his visa. The applicant does not need to make a new appointment and does not need to pay a new application fee.