The International Visitor Leadership Program

The International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP) is the United States’ flagship professional exchange program, implemented by Global Ties Network member organizations through a now 64-year partnership with the U.S. Department of State. Launched in 1940, the IVLP deepens ties between the United States and other nations through carefully designed professional visits to the United States based on U.S. foreign policy goals for current and emerging foreign leaders. Each year, approximately 4,000 IVLP participants from around the world are selected by U.S. embassies to engage professional counterparts across the United States. Through these encounters, they develop a deeper understanding of the political, economic, and cultural influences within U.S. society. IVLP participants also gain a firsthand experience of the United States, its people, and its culture. Current and emerging leaders represent government, politics, the media, education, nongovernmental organizations, the arts, public health, international security, business and trade, and other fields. Over 500 current and former heads of government and state, 1,000 Members of Parliament, 1,600 cabinet officials, 12 Nobel Laureates, and many other distinguished world leaders in the public and private sectors have participated in the International Visitor Leadership Program. 

One of the core functions of the IVLP is to help participants better understand the United States through the principles of our Founding Fathers and learn how those principles have shaped our country. For this reason, all global leaders participating in IVLP start their experience with a Federalism Briefing.

The local impact within the United States is significant, boosting economic prosperity for U.S. communities. Specifically, the IVLP: 

• Generates an 11:1 return on U.S. investment for U.S. taxpayer dollars, translating into real economic benefits for local U.S. communities. $7.1 million in federal funding was passed through last year to 80+ community-based organizations, which generated $81.7 million for the U.S. economy in 2023. 
• Engages volunteers across the country in community service. In 2023, more than 24,600 volunteers worked through the Global Ties Network to contribute over 250,000 hours of service to support international exchange programs. 
• Boosts global knowledge, skills, and connections for U.S. communities. More than 80% of people in the United States who interact with international exchange participants say they learned more about international affairs. 66% learned new skills that helped them do their job better. 58% believe these programs improve their ability to attract international investment. 

The U.S. Department of State promotes a safer, more secure, and more prosperous America and world by implementing President Trump’s foreign policy. The U.S. Secretary of State is President Trump’s principal adviser on foreign policy and the person chiefly responsible for U.S. representation abroad. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs advances U.S. national security objectives through international educational, professional, and cultural exchanges. The Bureau develops personal, professional, and institutional ties between private citizens and organizations in the United States and abroad, and shares the rich history, society, art, and culture of the United States to the world. The Office of International Visitors manages and funds the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).

Please note: Global Ties U.S. and our members are not involved in selecting participants for the IVLP. Participants are nominated and selected annually by the staff at U.S. Embassies worldwide. There is no application for IVLP. Global Ties U.S. also does not determine IVLP project topics nor where the IVLP is programmed throughout the United States. If you have questions about either, please email Info@GlobalTiesUS.org.