Visa Requirements and Suggestions
After reading the information below, international visitors are encouraged to visit the website of the University of Michigan's International Center for the most detailed and up-to-date Visa and Insurance news.
Visa Assistance
Many international visitors are eligible to attend the ICPSR Summer Program through the Visa Waiver Program, but those who are not will need a U.S. visa, usually a B-1, B-2, or J-1. To ensure that the Visa is obtained in time for your visit, you should contact the Summer Program to begin the application process as early as possible.
B-1 and B-2: The B-1/B-2 application process is much simpler than the J-1 process, and is available to citizens of 27 countries, including most of Western Europe. The B-1 (Temporary Visa for Business) and B-2 (Temporary Visa for Pleasure) allow a visit of up to 90 days and can be arranged entirely between you and the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your nation. When applying for a B-1 or B-2, state that you are traveling (either for business or pleasure) to attend a conference or seminar being held at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor.
Important for B-1/B-2 Applicants: Be sure that the Consulate officer understands that, according to their definition, you will not be a student, but a participant in a conference. If the Consulate officers develop the impression that you will actually be enrolling in the University of Michigan, they will insist that you apply for the more complicated and restrictive J-1 Visa. If necessary, show them this document.
J-1: The J-1 (Exchange Visitors Visa) application process will involve paperwork that will be sent between you, ICPSR and the University of Michigan, and the U.S. Embassy/Consulate in your country. Initiate the visa application as soon as possible, as it often takes four to six weeks to process and mail the appropriate forms. Certification of adequate funding for your visit to the U.S. is required when applying for a visa. The U.S. J-1 visa process requires the following verification of financial support:
Individual: $1,500/month
Individual and one dependant:
$2,000/month
Individual, and two, or more, dependants:
$2,200/month
For more information on U.S. Government Visa requirements, see:
Health Care/Insurance Coverage for J-1 Visitors
All J-1 Visa holders in the Program will be required by U.S. government and University of Michigan regulations to have adequate health care coverage. Proof and verification of health insurance must be provided in English, upon arrival in Ann Arbor. Insurance may be personally obtained or supplied by a sponsor agency (e.g., Fulbright) or by a national/government health plan. Individuals arriving without health coverage will be required to purchase a University of Michigan-sponsored health plan ($81/month for an individual scholar, $335/month for scholar and one dependent, $589/month for scholar and two or more dependents).
English Language Proficiency
Non-U.S. participants should be aware that all ICPSR courses are conducted in English. Non-U.S. participants coming to the Program and taking courses for credit must have taken and passed the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam or its equivalent (http://www.ets.org/toefl). A TOEFL score of 560 (paper exam) or 220 (computer exam with a minimum of 25 points per section as well as a minimum of 5 points on the written English test) is required. All correspondence addressed to the Summer Program staff must be in English. Individuals attending any Two- to Five-Day workshops or as a Program Scholar do not have to take the TOEFL test.
