Student and Exchange Visitor Program
SEVP OverviewWelcome to the official SEVP and SEVIS website. Here you can find the latest information and resources for F (academic) and M (vocational) students, as well as designated school officials (DSOs).The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is a part of the National Security Investigations Division and acts as a bridge for government organizations that have an interest in information on nonimmigrants whose primary reason for coming to the United States is to be students.On behalf of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), SEVP manages schools, nonimmigrant students in the F and M visa classifications and their dependents. The Department of State (DoS) manages Exchange Visitor Programs, nonimmigrant exchange visitors in the classification and their dependents. Both SEVP and DoS use the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) to track excha and F, M and J nonimmigrants while they visit the United States and participate in the U.S. education system.SEVIS by the NumbersView the latest quarterly
report. Visit , the interactive mapping tool where users can explore international student data from SEVIS by the Numbers.SEVIS Fact SheetsView .On Sept. 16, 2011, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano and ICE Director John Morton launched the Study in the States Initiative at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. A key aspect of this initiative seeks to enhance coordination between the various federal agencies that play a role in implementing our international student visa and exchange visitor programs.The launch of the
website was part of this initiative. Sponsored by DHS and managed by SEVP, this website provides a wealth of information and resources to encourage the best and brightest international students to study and learn about expanded post-graduate opportunities in the United States.The Study in the States website allows ICE and its partner agencies, as well as DoS, to more effectively communicate information to international students, exchange visitors and their dependents. The site features dynamic and interactive content in a user-friendly manner and uses social media tools, such as Facebook and Twitter, to provide updates to visitors around the globe.SEVP collects, maintains, analyzes and provides information so only legitimate foreign students or exchange visitors gain entry to the United States. The result is an easily accessible information system that provides timely information to DoS, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as well as a number of other federal enforcement agencies with "need to know."Visitor Visa
travel.state.gov
Citizens of some countries can visit the U.S. without a visa through the Visa Waiver Program
For tourism, visiting family, and travel for medical treatment.
Discover America
Brand USA is the official USA travel site
Citizens of some countries can travel to the U.S. for temporary business without a visa through the Visa Waiver Program.
For travel to the U.S. to conduct temporary business.
Business Visa Center
For petition-based, temporary employment in the U.S.
For members of the foreign media, press, and radio
For use by certain teachers, professors, for summer work travel, or other exchanges under approved programs.
For academic and vocational studies
For traveling to the U.S. on an approved exchange program
For visiting schools and taking short non-credit courses
Visa Bulletin
See the most current Visa Bulletin
Information on traveling through the U.S. to another country.
Information for travelers representing a foreign government or international organization.
Information for those using the Visa Waiver Program or a Visitor Visa to travel to the U.S. for medical treatment.
Information for travel to the U.S. as a crewmember on a ship or aircraft.
Information for those temporarily working in the U.S, for a religious organization.
&&&&&&&&&Visitor Visa
Visitor Visa
Generally, a citizen of a foreign country who wishes to enter the United States must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. Visitor visas are nonimmigrant visas for persons who want to enter the United States temporarily for business (visa category B-1), tourism, pleasure or visiting (visa category B-2), or a combination of both purposes (B-1/B-2).
Here are some examples of activities permitted with a visitor visa:
Expand All
Business (B-1):
consult with business associates
attend a scientific, educational, professional, or business convention or conference
settle an estate
negotiate a contract
Learn more about
(PDF - 362 KB)& on a visitor visa.
Tourism and Visit (B-2):
vacation (holiday)
visit with friends or relatives
medical treatment
participation in social events hosted by fraternal, social, or service organizations
participation by amateurs in musical, sports, or similar events or contests, if not being paid for participating
enrollment in a short recreational course of study, not for credit toward a degree (for example, a two-day cooking class while on vacation)
Learn more about
(PDF - 1020 KB).
Travel Purposes Not Permitted On Visitor Visas:
These are some examples of activities that require different categories of visas and cannot be done while on a visitor visa:
employment
paid performances, or any professional performance before a paying audience
arrival as a crewmember on a ship or aircraft
work as foreign press, radio, film, journalists, and other information media
permanent residence in the United States
Select your nationality to see Issuance Fee
Expand All
Travel for Medical Treatment
If you are seeking medical treatment in the United States, the consular officer may ask for further documents at your visa interview, which may include:
Medical diagnosis from a local physician, explaining the nature of the ailment and the reason you need treatment in the United States.
Letter from a physician or medical facility in the United States, stating they are willing to treat your specific ailment and detailing the projected length and cost of treatment (including doctors’ fees, hospitalization fees, and all medical-related expenses).
Proof that your transportation, medical, and living expenses in the United States will be paid. This may be in the form of bank or other statements of income/savings or certified copies of income tax returns (either yours or the person or organization paying for your treatment).
Visitor Visas for Personal or Domestic Employees (B-1)
You may apply for a B-1 visitor visa to work in the United States as a personal or domestic employee for your employer in limited situations. You may work in the United States on a visitor visa if your employer is:
A U.S. citizen who has a permanent home or is stationed in a foreign country, but is visiting or is assigned to the United S or
A foreign citizen who is in the United States on one of the following nonimmigrant visa categories: &B, E, F, H, I, J, L, M, O, P, or Q.
Learn more about your rights in the United States and protection available to you by reading the
Visa Renewal
Whether you are applying for the first time or renewing your visa, you will use the same application process (please review , above). Some applicants seeking to renew their visas in certain visa classes may be eligible for the Interview Waiver Program (IWP) which allows qualified individuals to apply for visa renewals without being interviewed in person by a U.S. consular officer. Review the instructions on the website of the
where you will apply to determine if the IWP is available and if you qualify.
Do I need a visa if I have an ABTC?
Yes, you will still need a visa to travel to the United States, unless you qualify for the&. Having an Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travelers Card (ABTC) does not change visa requirements, your visa status, or the visa process for travel to the United States.
Review the&&for participants in APEC meetings in the United States.
How can I use my ABTC when I apply for my visa?
If you have an Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Business Travelers Card (ABTC), &you might be able to schedule an expedited visa interview appointment. Review the instructions for scheduling expedited appointments on the website of the&&where you will apply.&
Review the&&for participants in APEC meetings in the United States.
Visa Annotations for Certain Maritime Industry Workers
Certain foreign maritime workers are eligible to apply for a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) once in the U.S. If you, as a maritime industry worker, will perform services in secure port areas, your visa must be annotated “TWIC Letter Received.”&Workers whose visas are not annotated will not be permitted by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) to apply for a TWIC.
In order for your visa to be annotated, you must obtain a letter from your employer explaining the need for a TWIC and that you are a potential TWIC applicant.&Click&&for a template example of this letter. You must present this letter when you apply for the B-1 visa. You must meet all other eligibility requirements for a B-1 visa.&
Complete information about the TWIC program is available on TSA’s website at&.&
Visa Denial and Ineligibility
Review&&for detailed information about visa ineligibilities, denials and waivers.
I was refused a visa, under Section 214(b).
May I reapply?
Yes, if you feel circumstances have changed regarding your application. Review&&to learn more.
Misrepresentation or Fraud
Attempting to obtain a visa by the willful misrepresentation of a material fact, or fraud, may result in the permanent refusal of a visa or denial of entry into the United States.
Citizens of Canada and Bermuda
Citizens of Canada and Bermuda do not require visas to enter the United States, for visit, tourism and temporary business travel purposes. For more information see&,&&and&.
Additional resources for Canadian visitors to the United States can be found on the U.S. Embassy and Consulate websites in Canada.
Citizens of Mexico
Citizens and permanent residents of Mexico generally must have a nonimmigrant visa or Border Crossing Card (also known as a &Laser Visa&). For ease of travel, the B-1/B-2 and the Border Crossing Card have been combined into one document (DSP-150). Select&&to learn more about this card.
Please visit&&websites for more information regarding applying for a visa at the U.S. Embassy or Consulates in Mexico.
Further Questions
Case-Specific Questions&- Contact the U.S. Embassy or Consulate handling your visa application for status information. Select&&for contact information.
General Questions&- review&.
Visa Waiver Program
Tourist or business travelers who are citizens of participating countries may be eligible to visit the United States without a visa.
Visits must be 90 days or less, and travelers must meet all requirements.
Citizens of
Canada and Bermuda generally do not need visas for tourism and visits.
STAY CONNECTED
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Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the U.S. Department of State of the views or products contained therein. If you wish to remain on travel.state.gov, click the "cancel" message.
You are about to visit:Welcome to Washington, DC, the
nation&s capital. You will find an abundance of cultural, educational, and just
plain fun attractions and events here. Start your trip planning with the useful
resources below.
Resources for Visitors:
United States Congress
Book a tour, look at a Capitol map and find other useful
information.
The mission of the Visitor Center at the U.S. Capitol is to
provide a welcoming and educational environment for visitors to learn about the
unique characteristics of the House and the Senate and the legislative process
as well as the history and development of the architecture and art of the U.S.
The Capitol, House and Senate office buildings.
Accessible entrances and transportation servicing the Capitol and surrounding buildings.
Explore the nation's Capitol, including the old and current
House chambers.
Each of “America&s Library buildings”, named for a
U.S. President (Adams, Jefferson, and Madison), contains millions of cataloged
books and other print materials on 530 miles of shelving is a world-renowned
research center for scholars easily accessible to both Congress and the public.
Special exhibitions —including a permanent display of the Gutenberg Bible, the
first book printed with movable type—make the Library a favorite tourist
attraction. First Street and Independence Avenue, SE.
&Equal Justice Under Law& is the promise on the portals of
the Supreme Court building.Court sessions begin the first Monday in October and
continue two weeks per month through April. Courtroom seats are available to
visitors on a first-come, first-served basis when the Court is in session.
Twenty-minute courtroom lectures are available every hour on the half-hour when
the court is not in session. Group tours are available and must be made in
advance. First and East Capitol Streets, NE.
Located at the base of Capitol Hill, the conservatory
features more than 20,000 plants, including exotic flowers and fruit species. First Street and Maryland Avenue, SW.
Public Transportation
Metro’s Capitol South station, served by the Blue and Orange lines, will take you the closest to U.S. House of Representatives office buildings.
The National Mall
The sprawling lands of the National Mall & Memorial
Parks include the Mall, the public promenade extending from 3rd Street near the
Capitol to 14th Street, including the:
400 West Basin Drive, SW
Located at the southern end of the National Mall, adjacent to the Tidal Basin in West Potomac Park
Located at Independence Avenue, SW and Daniel Chester French Drive, SW
Located at the western end of the National Mall
1850 West Basin Drive, SW
5 Henry Bacon Drive, NW
2 15th Street, NW
1750 Independence Avenue, SW
Explore the National Mall with this walking tour provided by National Geographic.
950 Independence Avenue, SW
Independence Avenue at 6th Street, SW
14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway, Chantilly, Virginia
8th and F Streets, NW
1400 Constitution Avenue, NW
Fourth Street & Independence Avenue, SW
1901 Fort Place, SE
900 Jefferson Drive, SW
Jefferson Drive and 12th Street, SW
Independence Avenue at Seventh Street SW
3001 Connecticut Avenue, NW
10th Street & Constitution Avenue, NW
Eighth and F Streets, NW
2 Massachusetts Avenue, NE
1661 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
1050 Independence Avenue, SW
1000 Jefferson Drive, SW
More Museums
The Interior Museum is currently closed for renovations.
201 East Capitol Street, SE
511 10th Street, NW
701 21st Street, NW
7th & Constitution Avenue, NW
401 F Street, NW
6th Street and Constitution Avenue, NW
1145 17th & M Streets, NW
1811 R Street NW
1600 21st Street, NW
100 Raoul Wallenberg Place, SW
Public tours of the White House are available. Requests must
be submitted through one's member of Congress.& These self-guided tours are available from
7:30 AM to 11:00 AM Tuesday through Thursday, 7:30 AM to 12:00 PM
Fridays, and 7:30 AM to 1:00 PM Saturdays (excluding federal holidays or
unless otherwise noted). Tour hours will be extended when possible based on the
official White House schedule. Tours are scheduled on a first come, first
served basis. Requests can be submitted up to six months in advance and no less
than 21 days in advance. You are encouraged to submit your request as early as
possible as a limited number of spaces are available. All White House tours are
free of charge.& (Please note that White House tours may be subject to
last minute cancellation.)
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Metro: McPherson Square
For the most up-to-date information about touring and visiting the White House, call the 24-hour Visitors Office Information Line at 202-456-7041.
Historic Homes
Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA
121 N. Fairfax Street, Alexandria, VA
1411 W Street, SE
6310 Georgetown Pike, McLean, VA
1703 32nd Street, NW
10709 Gunston Road, Lorton, VA
4155 Linnean Avenue, NW
Rock Creek Church Road, NW
3200 Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, Mount Vernon, VA
20850 Oatlands Plantation Lane, Leesburg, VA
483 Great House Road, Stratford, VA
3650 Historic Sully Road, Chantilly, VA
1799 New York Avenue, NW
1101 Sixth Street, SW
Ronald Reagan Building and International Trade Center, 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Rock Creek Park at 3545 Williamsburg Lane, NW
Smithsonian's Arts and Industries Building, 900 Jefferson Drive, SW
Folger Shakespeare Library, 201 East Capitol Street, SE
511 10th Street, NW
2700 F Street, NW
10475 Little Patuxent Parkway, Columbia, MD
1321 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Lansburgh Theatre, 450 7th Street, NW
Harman Hall, 610 F Street, NW
1501 14th Street, NW
513 13th Street, NW
3515 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
1645 Trap Road, Vienna, VA
Major League Sports
Verizon Center, 7th and F Streets NW
Verizon Center, 7th and F Streets NW
Nationals Park, 1500 South Capitol Street, SE
FedEx Field, 1600 Raljon Road, Raljon, MD
RFK Stadium, 2400 East Capitol Street, SE
Verizon Center, 7th and F Streets NW
Other Points of Interest
Arlington, VA
400 Michigan Avenue, NE
14th & C Streets, SW
, State Services Organization
444 North Capitol Street, NW
501 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, Maryland
3501 New York Avenue, NE
3101 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
3450 Massachusetts Avenue, NW
701 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
1100 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Arlington, VA
2201 C Street, NW
330 Independence Avenue, SW}