Table 4.

Preparation for visa interviews.

FACTOR	REASONING	PROPOSED SOLUTIONS
Financial	Applicants must have sufficient funds to cover expenses for travel, especially the return flight, and their needs while in the USA.	Make clear in invitation letters plans to provide funding for the visiting physicians while in the USA, especially the return flight Clearly identify the person(s) responsible for overseeing the visitor while in the country Applicants MUST have a clear understanding of their funding and will be asked about it during the interviews Applicants should have itemized budgets from their hosts and take them to visa interview as a reference to present to embassy staff
Immigration Status	Applicants are non-immigrants and must prove strong ties to their home country and compelling reasons why they will return home instead of immigrating to the USA.	Demonstrate ties to home country: family (spouses and children), other business, other investments, important jobs/training, additional obligations such as military service Applicants must formulate good responses explaining reasons they plan to return home
Purpose of Visit	Applicants must demonstrate fluent knowledge of the program in which they are participating in the USA.	Host provides program descriptions directly to the visiting physicians prior to interview Applicants review carefully the institutional program descriptions including objectives and expectations and prepare to describe specifically what they will be doing in the USA for all dates Name the supervisor responsible for the visiting physician at each institution or site
Purpose of Visit Example: “I will spend 6 weeks as a visiting observer at Stanford Hospital in California to learn more about their healthcare system. I will also be teaching Stanford healthcare providers about healthcare in my setting. I will be spending each day observing their clinical and training programs. Through this partnership, and learning exchange, we will enhance training, improve professional skills, and improve the care for patients.”
Length of Stay	Applicants must fully understand itineraries and recite where they will be on which dates while in the USA.	Each institution outlines in detail visitors’ itineraries and provide a copy of the schedule prior to the applicant’s interview Applicants should know the city, state, and address of their lodging
Prior Travel	It is viewed favorably if applicants have previous traveled outside of their home continent with demonstrated return to home.	Applicants should list any travel as evidence that they have left, but have also chosen to return