ADS Chapter 252

Visa Compliance for Exchange Visitors

Functional Series 200 – Programming

Partial Revision Date: 04/26/2021
Responsible Office: M/MPBP
File Name: 252_042621

Overview

This chapter provides policy directives and required procedures related to visa compliance for foreign nationals who are traveling to the United States as beneficiaries (not providers) of USAID development assistance for any purpose, including invitational travel (see ADS 522.3.3) and participant training (see ADS 253, Participant Training for Capacity Development), and are financed in whole or in part, directly or indirectly, by USAID.  With certain exceptions (see 252.3), these foreign nationals are considered Exchange Visitors (EVs).  USAID-sponsored EVs enter the U.S. on the J-1 exchange visitor non-immigrant visa, unless determined otherwise by a U.S. consular officer.