U.S. Educational Advising Centers

A network of Educational Advising/Information Centers exists around the world to help prospective students with questions about coming to the United States. These centers operate libraries and other reference facilities that provide U.S. educational information. To find contact information for these centers, please select a region from the list below.  

• The Americas
• Africa
• East Asia and Pacific
• Europe / Eurasia
• Middle East/North Africa
• South and Central Asia

In addition, you may find help by contacting a Fulbright Commission or Foundation in your country. These organizations are bi-national, non-profit organizations that are established for the purpose of carrying out the Fulbright Program (an exchange program for graduate study, teaching, or advanced research in the U.S.); however, they may have additional resources to help you, or they may be able to direct you to additional resources in your country.

U.S. Consulates

Among the functions of U.S. Consulates abroad is issuing student visas. There is no way to obtain a visa without first seeing a U.S. consular official (either at a U.S. Embassy or a separate Consulate or Consulate General). These are the persons who make many of the decisions, and process the documents, that will either permit you to visit or deny you the chance. It is a good idea to contact your nearest U.S. Consulate to ask questions.

Schools or Agencies in Your Country

You may also want to consult academic exchange offices of schools in your country, or officials of your country's educational agencies. For a start, see World Wide Colleges & Universities.