Visa Information
Obtaining a Visa
If it is necessary for you to obtain a visa to attend the WAAVP 2019 Conference, you can find relevant information about the application process on the following website:
US Department of State Business Visa Center
It is encouraged that all delegates apply for their visa at least 4 months in advance of the conference.
Some consulates may have backlogs in scheduling visa interviews. Therefore, applicants should first consult the U.S. Department of State’s visa appointment and processing wait times website.
Visiting the United States
- There are currently 38 Visa Waiver countries that, as of January 12, 2009, require an approved ESTA Travel Authorization to visit the United States via air or sea. Individuals holding a passport from any of these countries may visit the United States under the Visa Waiver Program under certain conditions. Travelers with a passport from any other country must obtain a B-1 or B-2 Visitor Visa in advance. Note that a travel authorization (ESTA) must be applied for online in advance, while Form I-94W is normally completed while flying or at the U.S. port of entry. See below for more information.
- The National Academy of Sciences maintains an International Visitors Office (IVO) which will assist all others who need to apply for a visa in advance of entry but who may be having difficulty doing so
- Please note: Recent changes to the visa-waiver program will impact dual nationals of, and recent visitors to, Iran, Iraq, Syria and Sudan
Invitation Letters
- Invitations should only state what issuing group (i.e. us) can verify
- If you are being funded by an Institution, it may be necessary to obtain a letter from them verifying how your stay is being funded
- Invitations should be sent as early as possible
- Invitations should include the following:
Names, dates, location and purpose of meeting;
Name, date of birth and passport number of the attendee;
Information on how transportation and local expenses are to be funded;
Information on the organization sponsoring the meeting and relationships to the attendee; and
Name, title, contact information (phone, fax, email, meeting Website) of person responsible for the meeting, in case the consular officer has further questions.
If Problems arise:
- Participants should fill out the IVO Questionnaire. This will collect information on visa-related issues and report urgent visa cases to the State Department.
- Participants are eligible to complete the questionnaire if: they are a student, scholar or professional in the sciences AND
- They have applied for a non-B1 visa to come to the United States for science-related activities and your application has been undergoing administrative processing for 60 days longer OR
- They have applied for a B1 visa to come to the United States for science-related activities and your application has been pending for 30 days or longer
- The IVO strongly recommends that applicants contact their consulate or embassy to begin the visa process as early as possible: at least four months prior to the event start date (i.e., in March, 2019 or earlier).
Visa Waiver Program Countries
Delegates are eligible to apply for admission under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) if they are a citizen or national of one of the Visa Waiver Program countries listed below.
In addition, inbound travelers to the United States from Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries must comply with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) program. ESTA requires all international travelers from VWP countries to register in an online database. International travelers to the United States must go to the ESTA Web site and fill out an application before entering the country by air or sea.
For more information on VWP, ESTA and to apply now, please go here.
- Andorra
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brunei
- Chile
- Czech Republic
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Latvia
- Liechtenstein
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Monaco
- Netherlands
- New Zealand
- Norway
- Portugal
- Republic of Malta
- San Marino
- Singapore
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- South Korea
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Taiwan[1]
- United Kingdom
[1]With respect to all references to “country” or “countries” in this document, it should be noted that the Taiwan Relations Act of 1979, Pub. L. No. 96-8, Section 4(b)(1), provides that “[w]henever the laws of the United States refer or relate to foreign countries, nations, states, governments, or similar entities, such terms shall include and such laws shall apply with respect to Taiwan.” 22 U.S.C. § 3303(b)(1). Accordingly, all references to “country” or “countries” in the Visa Waiver Program authorizing legislation, Section 217 of the Immigration and Nationality Act, 8 U.S.C. 1187, are read to include Taiwan. This is consistent with the United States’ one-China policy, under which the United States has maintained unofficial relations with Taiwan since 1979.
Letter of Invitation for Visa
An official Letter of Invitation to obtain a Visa and authorization to attend the WAAVP 2019 Conference will be issued ONLY after a completed Registration Form and full payment have been received. Please contact our registration department at WAAVP2019-registration at icsevents.com for further information.
Letters of Invitations will not be issued to parties who are not registered and/or paid in full. Should your visa application be denied, and you have given adequate time for processing from your country; a full refund on registration fees will be given.
In the event that a letter of invitation is desired before payment of the registration fee, please note that we cannot issue a proof of payment letter until after payment has been made in full. In our experience, the US visa application process requires proof of payment as proof of intent to participate in the conference for visitors from many countries. Without it, the likelihood of visa approval can be significantly jeopardized.
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© 2019 WAAVP
