> I think you need an invitation to create an account,
Anybody can create an account on arXiv.[1][2] However, having an account and uploading are different things. Strictly speaking, you have to be endorsed to submit a paper. But some endorsements are granted automatically, based on various criteria. So not everybody has to go explicitly ask people for an endorsement:
arXiv requires that users be endorsed before submitting their first paper to a category.
arXiv may give some people automatic endorsements based on subject area, topic, previous submissions, and academic affiliation. In most cases, automatic endorsement is given to authors from known academic institutions and research facilities.
Generally speaking, the "word on the street" is that it's as simple as "register with a .edu email address and you get auto endorsed, otherwise you don't." But I think the reality is slightly more complex than that. Although the exact details are kept private, probably at least in part to prevent people from gaming the system.
Note that the page encourages you to register with an "institutional" email address, but doesn't specifically say it has to be a .edu one.
arXiv submitters are therefore encouraged to associate an institutional email address, if they have one, with their arXiv account. This will expedite the endorsement process.
Anybody can create an account on arXiv.[1][2] However, having an account and uploading are different things. Strictly speaking, you have to be endorsed to submit a paper. But some endorsements are granted automatically, based on various criteria. So not everybody has to go explicitly ask people for an endorsement:
arXiv requires that users be endorsed before submitting their first paper to a category.
arXiv may give some people automatic endorsements based on subject area, topic, previous submissions, and academic affiliation. In most cases, automatic endorsement is given to authors from known academic institutions and research facilities.
Generally speaking, the "word on the street" is that it's as simple as "register with a .edu email address and you get auto endorsed, otherwise you don't." But I think the reality is slightly more complex than that. Although the exact details are kept private, probably at least in part to prevent people from gaming the system.
Note that the page encourages you to register with an "institutional" email address, but doesn't specifically say it has to be a .edu one.
arXiv submitters are therefore encouraged to associate an institutional email address, if they have one, with their arXiv account. This will expedite the endorsement process.
[1]: https://info.arxiv.org/help/registerhelp.html
[2]: https://arxiv.org/user/register