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Visa Information for MDI-NH

Participants in the Microenterprise and Development Institute are advised to request a Business/Tourist (B-1/B-2) visa for entry to the United States. Participants in short-term training programs are most appropriately admitted to the United States on B-1/B-2 visas, according to the examples of appropriate uses of this visa, provided in the U.S. Foreign Affairs Manual (at 9 FAM 41.31 note 5, number 5). The manual states that the B-1/B-2 visa is appropriate for: "(5) Participation in scientific, educational, professional or business conventions, conferences, or seminars." We suggest that the participants in the MDI-NH refer to this citation when requesting a visa from the U.S. Embassy in your area.

The Microenterprise and Development Institute is a short-term (2-week) program, and is not part of the regular academic curriculum of Southern New Hampshire University; as such we feel that it is not appropriate for participants to request a Student (F-1) visa. If the U.S. consular staff in your area suggests this, please contact us and we will attempt to provide the documentation that is required. However, F-1 visas are more often used for students who are pursuing "a full course of study", according to the Code of Federal Regulations.

Visa Application Checklist:
  • You will need to provide the U.S. Embassy with: Proof of identity and a valid passport.
  • We will provide confirmation of payment as soon as we receive your tuition payment. If you can send a $500 deposit, we will confirm that we have received a down payment.
  • We will forward to you an Acceptance Letter, which shows that you have been formally accepted for attendance at the MDI-NH. This will detail the merits of the program, and document the credibility of the program as professional training affiliated with an accredited university.
  • It is in your best interest to get a letter from your sponsoring organization, detailing how this program will benefit your work, disclosing your commitment to the organization, and your credibility within the organization. A statement of intent is important, outlining how the Microenterprise and Development Institute will give you the tools to implement change within your country.
  • Confirm your personal and financial interest in returning to your home country (family presence, business interests, and internal programs that will benefit from your training).

If you run into trouble, we may be able to assist you in other ways to obtain your visa. Please inform us at once if you have received a denial.

There may be other requirements in your area; please make the appropriate calls to your embassy before standing in line.

Please be persistent and thorough, the visa application process takes patience, and we appreciate your willingness to follow the necessary steps in order to get here.

Additional visa information is available on the US government site.