Please note that you must complete VISA requests forms NO LATER than April 30, 2012. Participants who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents must be admitted to the U.S. in the appropriate visa status. In the past, the Office of International Services (OIS) advised Institute participants who were not being funded from a U.S. source to apply for a B1/B2 visa for entry to the U.S. as a tourist. On August 19th, 2010, USCIS published guidance on its website that indicates that enrolling in a course is a violation of B1/B2 status. Since JHSPH Institute participants do not meet Institutional standards for F-1 student visa sponsorship, the OIS, in cooperation with the JHSPH Summer Institutes, will sponsor participants for J-1 Exchange Visitor status. Based on this updated guidance from the United States Citizenship & Immigration Service [USCIS], participants are now strongly encouraged to follow the appropriate steps to secure a J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa for participation in a JHSPH Institute. [Note: Internet MPH students who are participating in the Institutes must apply for F-1 student visas since they are pursuing a degree program. Exceptions are made only on a case-by-case basis.] It can take several months to secure the appropriate visa stamp to enter the United States, so please plan accordingly. Specifically, individuals who will require F1 or J1 visas must submit all required documentation to the Bloomberg School of Public Health 90 days in advance of the Institute in which they will participate. Institute participants who do not heed this advice risk being denied entry to the U.S. at the U.S. port of entry by USCIS. If you have any questions about visa sponsorship please contact J1-Scholars@jhmi.edu. To start the process to obtain a J-1 Visa, which is required to attend the Summer Institute, please contact Maryanne Bailey, Summer Institute Coordinator.
FAQs Office of International Services | 
