Office of International Visitors

The Office of International Visitors (OIV) is responsible for implementing the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). Launched in 1940, IVLP seeks to build mutual understanding between the United States and other nations through short-term visits to the U.S. for current and emerging foreign leaders. Each year nearly 5,000 International Visitors come to the U.S. on the IVLP. With the help of a dedicated network of community-based non-profit organizations, the IVLP has introduced more than 225,000 International Visitors to communities throughout the United States.  More than 500 IVLP participants have become heads of state or government.

The OIV and its staff members are located primarily in Washington, D.C., with a program branch in New York City. Eight National Program Agencies (NPAs) help administer IVLP projects, as does Global Ties U.S. and its 85 community-based members across the U.S. The IVLP is the U.S. Department of State’s premier professional exchange program.