VISA & INVITATION LETTER INFORMATION
PASSPORT
The organizers of the 17th Congress of World Federation of Interventional and Therapeutic Neuroradiology encourage you to familiarize yourself with visa and travel requirements well in advance of the conference.
Entry requirements for the US change from time to time, especially as it pertains to COVID testing. Please be sure to check the latest requirements for the US, any country you may travel through, and the country to which you are returning. These requirements may vary based on your country of residency or the country that issued your passport.
You must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after your planned departure from the United States (unless exempted by country-specific agreements). For families, each member of your family, including infants and children, must have his/her own passport.
In addition, you must have an e-passport to use the Visitor Waiver Program. An e-passport is an enhanced secure passport with an embedded electronic chip. The chip can be scanned to match the identity of the traveler to the passport. E-Passports must be in compliance with standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organization. You can readily identify an e-passport by a symbol on the cover. More information about e-passports is available on the Department of Homeland Security website.
VISA
The Visitor Waiver Program enables most citizens or nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. Travelers must have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval prior to travel and meet all requirements explained below. If you prefer to have a visa in your passport, you may still apply for a visitor (B) visa.
APPLYING FOR A VISA
There are several steps for applying for a business visa (category B-1), which allows visitors to travel to the United States to attend a scientific conference. These steps include completing an online non-immigrant visa application, scheduling and attending a visa interview, providing appropriate documentation, and paying a visa application fee and visa issuance fee, if applicable. Please visit the U.S. Department of State's website for complete information on how to apply for a visitor visa.
The visa process involves multiple steps that are time consuming; it is critical that you apply for your visa well in advance of your travel dates.
TIPS FOR SUCCESSFUL VISA APPLICATIONS
- Visa applicants are expected to provide evidence that they are intending to return to their country of residence. Applicants should provide proof of "binding” ties to their residence abroad, such as documentation of the following: family ties in home country or country of legal permanent residence, property ownership, bank accounts, employment contract or statement from employer showing that position will continue after the visit to the United States;
- Visa applications are more likely to be successful if done in a visitor's home country than in a third country;
- Applicants should present their entire trip itinerary, including travel to any countries other than the United States, at the time of their visa application;
- Include a letter of invitation from the meeting organizer, specifying the subject, location and dates of the activity;
- Provide specifics on how travel and local expenses will be covered;
- If completion of travel plans is contingent upon early approval of the visa application, specify this at the time of the application; and
- Provide proof of professional scientific and/or educational status (students should provide a university transcript).
NOTE: The proof of purchase of an airline ticket is not an item requested by the embassy to document your trip itinerary. No assurances regarding the issuance of visas can be given in advance, so the purchase of a non-refundable airlines ticket should be made after a visa has been issued and you are in possession of a passport.
INVITATION LETTER
The invitation letter will be provided to the participants that has been registered and paid the full fee.
Once your registration and payment is completed you may obtain your invitation letter by visiting your registration account and clicking the invitation letter section. Please note that this section will not be available at your registration account without having a fully paid registration.
HELPFUL LINKS
- Visa appointment and wait times for interview in your home country
- Find U.S. embassies and consulates
DISCLAIMER
Please note that the information provided here is given in good faith, but that the regulations may change and the only authoritative sources of information are the U.S. Government websites or any other government agency websites that may have jurisdiction over your international travel.