General Visa Information
We do not provide legal advice regarding U.S. immigration requirements. The following is provided as general information only, based on our prior experience and not as legal advice. We therefore recommend that you consult with an immigration attorney if you have any questions or require advice.
Because the Academy is not an accredited institution of higher learning, participation in the Academy does not qualify you for a Student Visa. We understand that a number of participants have successfully applied to the U.S. Consulate for a B-1 Business Visitor’s Visa instead.
Consulates have their own particular views and requirements for the B-1 Visa. So, we have found it is best practice to check with the particular Consulate that has jurisdiction for your place of residence for specific requirements and procedures. In our experience, some Consulates have required evidence that the visa applicant has no prior criminal history and evidence about his/her family members. Also, the manner in which payment must be made may also vary from time to time at the same Consulate. Consulates have also required evidence of the following from prior Academy participants:
- Documentary proof of ties to the participant’s home country and intention to return to the home country. Academy participants have provided deeds to property, contracts for services either to be rendered or received, and letters from relatives or an employer as such evidence.
- Letters from the participants’ employers stating the participant’s name and address, how long (s)he has been employed, that (s)he will be returning to work for the employer following the Academy, why the employer supports his/her attendance at the Academy, and what the employer hopes the participant will gain by participating in the Academy. In cases where the employer was responsible for the costs of travel to and from the United States, the letters have also included that fact also. When participants have been self- employed, the letters have explained the nature and size of the participant’s business as well as his/her ties and obligations to the business and community.
- Letters of support from employers and relatives correctly describing the Academy program as an extended business-related and continuing legal education conference for legal professionals.
- A letter of admission to the Academy, which we can provide. Note that we cannot provide a Certificate of Eligibility since the program does not meet the requirements for the issuance of a student visa.
We understand that personal interviews are very often required and that processing times can be lengthy given the workload at many Consulates. It is therefore best to commence the process early so that there is adequate time to schedule and complete the interview. Please keep Academy staff informed about your progress in obtaining a visa appointment, completing the interview, and obtaining your visa.
Requesting a letter of invitation
Should a letter of invitation be required as part of a visa application, a request must be submitted via email: bwhite@cailaw.org
SWIICL’s policy for issuing letters of invitation for the Academy of American and International Law is as follows:
- Letters of invitation can only be issued to confirmed registrants, defined as those whose registration has been accepted and have paid at least a $1000 deposit of tuition. Letters of Invitation will also be issued to those chosen as full scholarship recipients. SWIICL will not state in letters of invitation that your attendance is a necessity or required.
- After you have received your official acceptance letter, you should then contact Brandon White to request a letter of invitation via email: bwhite@cailaw.org.
- Letters of invitation can only be issued for the person accepted to the Academy. We cannot issue letters of invitation for guests of participants.
- SWIICL reserves the right to request further information regarding the company or affiliation of the attendee to ensure the validity of requests.
- SWIICL cannot intervene with U.S. Embassies or consulates abroad, or with the U.S. State Department on behalf of any Academy participant.
- All letters of invitation are generic in nature and will be signed and sent via secure PDF format that can be printed out by the requester. No mailed (postal) letters of invitation will be sent.
- Letters of invitation are addressed to the individual who wishes to attend the event. To expedite the preparation of a letter, please provide the following information in your request:
- Name as it appears on your passport
- Country of Citizenship
- Passport Number
- Job Title
- Institution/Company/Firm
- Address
- E-mail address
- Date of Birth
Note: Obtaining a letter of invitation will not guarantee that your U.S. visa application will be approved. The letter is merely supplementary information that explains a visa applicant’s intended purpose of travel to the United States. The decision to issue a visa is the sole judgment of the local Embassy or Consulate. U.S. Embassy officers look at the totality of an applicant’s personal and professional situation in determining visa eligibility. SWIICL is unable to assist with actual visa processing.
Should issues arise during the visa process and you are concerned that you may not receive your visa in time for the Academy; you should contact SWIICL immediately. If you are not able to attend the program due to visa issues, we will issue a refund your tuition fee as long as the following two criteria are met:
- A refund request must be received by email to bwhite@cailaw.org, and
- such notice is made on or before May 9, 2025.
If we are not informed of your visa issues before the above date, a refund will not be issued.
SWIICL is an institute of
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