Embassy of the United States

Visa Types

Academics & Researchers

Exchange Student

In general, anyone wishing to study at an academic institution in the United States requires an F-1 student visa. However, a student who is pursuing a full course of study at an academic institution outside the United States and who is required to study at a U.S. academic institution for a semester or academic year as part of their curriculum, may require a J-1 exchange visitor visa. The student should contact the U.S. institution to ascertain whether or not an exchange visitor program is in operation. If there is no exchange visitor program, then the student will require an F-1 student visa.

Grade-school students taking part in an exchange, such as with an American high school, are eligible for B-2 tourist visas or even for visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program, if they are otherwise qualified. Note that the duration of stay in the United States under the Visa Waiver Program cannot exceed 90 days.  If grade-school students intend to remain in the United States for a period longer than 90 days, such as for an entire term or semester, then they will require the appropriate J-1 exchange visitor visa or F-1 student visa.

Documents Required for B-2:

• Letter from U.S. school/institution describing the exchange program and especially noting the duration of the applicant's intended stay in the United States 
• Proof of previous or current academic studies in Slovenia

Professor/Lecturer/Speaker

Members of the academic profession coming to the United States to engage in usual academic activities, such as lecturing, may travel on a B-1 business visa or visa-free under the Visa Waiver Program. Those who will receive an honorarium in addition to incidental expenses may still be eligible for the B-1 business visa provided all of the following conditions are met:

• the activities will last no longer than nine days at a single institution;
• the institution is a nonprofit research organization or a governmental research organization, or an institution of higher education, or a related or affiliated nonprofit entity;
• such activities are conducted for the benefit of the institution or entity; and
• the individual concerned has not accepted such payment or expenses from five such institutions during the previous six month period.

If the proposed activities are not exactly as described, then a J-1 exchange visitor visa or an H-1 temporary work visa will be required.

Documents Required for B-1:

• Proof of current academic posting or other employment in Slovenia
• Letter from sponsoring U.S. institution describing the visit

Medical Elective

A medical student studying at a foreign medical school who seeks to enter the United States temporarily in order to take an “elective clerkship” at a U.S. medical school’s hospital without remuneration from the hospital may be eligible for a B-1 business visa, or visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program. Note: The medical clerkship is only for medical students pursuing their normal third or fourth year internship in a U.S. medical school as part of a foreign medical school degree. An "elective clerkship" affords practical experience and instructions in the various disciplines of medicine under the supervision and direction of faculty physicians at a U.S. medical school’s hospital as an approved part of the alien’s foreign medical school education. It does not apply to graduate medical training in the United States, which normally requires a J-1 exchange visitor visa. 

Documents Required for B-1:

• Letter from the U.S. medical school outlining the nature and duration of the elective clerkship
• Proof of current academic program in Slovenia
• If traveling under the VWP, the traveler should present these same letters to the U.S. immigration official at the port of entry

Students seeking training as physiotherapists, dentists, nurses, or veterinarians require either aJ-1 exchange visitor visa or an H-3 trainee visa.

Conference Participant

Participants in scientific, educational, professional, or business conventions, conferences, or seminars may travel to the United States on a B-1 business visa or visa-free under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), if otherwise qualified. Holders of B-1 business visas or those who have entered the United States under the VWP may present a paper at a conference, provided there is no remuneration from a U.S. source other than expenses incidental to the stay. Anyone who will receive an honorarium in addition to incidental expenses may still be eligible for the B-1 business visa or travel under the VWP provided all of the following are met:

• the activities will last no longer than nine days at a single institution;
• the institution is a nonprofit research organization or a governmental research organization, or an institution of higher education, or a related or affiliated nonprofit entity;
• such activities are conducted for the benefit of the institution or entity; and
• the delegate has not accepted such payment or expenses from five such institutions during the previous six month period.

If the proposed activities are not exactly as described, then a J-1 exchange visitor visa or an H-1 temporary work visa will be required.

Note: The applications of those seeking visas to attend certain kinds of technical conferences may be subject to additional administrative processing. We regret that we are unable to provide any guidance on how long it may take. Therefore, if you intend to attend a technical conference in the U.S., please do not make any final travel plans until you have received your passport with a visa in it.

Documents Required for B-1:

• Proof of current employment in Slovenia
• Letter from sponsoring U.S. institution describing the visit

Researcher

An individual who will engage in independent research may be eligible for a B-1 business visa or visa-free travel under the Visa Waiver Program, provided there is no remuneration from a U.S. source and the results of the research will not benefit the American institution. Those who will receive payment from a U.S. source, and/or if the U.S. institution will benefit from the results of the research, will require a J-1 exchange visitor visa or an H-1 temporary work visa.

Documents Required for B-1:

• Proof of current employment in Slovenia
• Letter from sponsoring U.S. institution describing the visit