Visa Information
Non US residents intending to register for the 2006 conferences are urged to do so at the earliest opportunity. Registration will open in September 2005. Those who complete their conference registration and pay in full will receive confirmation of registration, and foreign residents will also receive a Letter of Invitation, which in many cases is expected to assist in the visa application process. Six months' lead-time is not too soon to begin the process.
Residents of the 27 countries who participate in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) do not need a visa; however, after October 26, 2005 they must have a Machine Readable Passport (MRP). These newer passports have the bearer's biometrics embedded in the passport itself. To learn more about the Visa Waiver Program and Machine Readable Passports, visit http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html
Many prospective attendees of the 2006 conferences will be required to obtain a nonimmigrant (visitors) visa from the US Embassy in their capital or from the US Consul in their larger cities. To learn more about this important process, please visit the following website of the US Department of State:
http://www.travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html
For many applicants, a personal appearance interview is required as a standard part of visa processing. Visa applications are now subject to a greater degree of scrutiny than in the past. This can cause longer processing times.
Residents of Canada generally do not have to present a nonimmigrant visa. Citizens and permanent residents of Mexico generally must have a nonimmigrant visa or Border Crossing Card.