These name checking and registration processes are necessary and crucial elements for the protection of U.S. citizens and visitors, so please allow for extra time in your trip planning to arrange for your visa. Please allow a minimum of four months to obtain your visa. We recommend that you submit your visa application as soon as possible.
An individual invitation letter to NPIC-HMIT 2009 international participants will be sent out five months prior to the meeting provided you indicate to us your intention to participate in the meeting by March 30, 2008. Invitation letter content will include: the name of our meeting; inclusive dates and location; description of the meeting's purpose and how the you will help achieve this purpose (present a paper, etc.); brief description of the event's sponsor and the role of the meeting volunteer who sends the letter; the letter will also state that you (the participant) will be responsible for the payment of all expenses, including meeting registration.
Additional visa information can be obtained at:
International meeting participants from China are now eligible for longer stays in the U.S. Eligible Chinese nationals who wish to visit the U.S. temporarily for business (which generally includes meeting attendees) will be able to get visas that are valid for up to 12 months and for multiple entries. Previously, U.S. visas for Chinese were limited to terms of six months.
The U.S. Embassy in Beijing and the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs exchanged diplomatic notes on this agreement in December 2004, and the text of the agreement was posted on the U.S. Department of State's website on January 13, 2005. As a result, frequent Chinese travelers receiving longer validity visas will need to visit the U.S. Embassy or Consulates in China less often to renew visas.
ESTA Authorization Required for All Visa Waiver Program Countries Beginning Jan. 12
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced today that beginning Jan. 12, 2009, eligible citizens or nationals from all Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries must obtain approval through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to traveling to the United States under the VWP.
(Click for more information)
Who Should Apply for a Travel Authorization?
Any traveler with a machine readable passport from one of the 27 Visa Waiver countries must apply for a Travel Authorization after January 12, 2009. The 27 Visa Waiver countries are Australia, Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, New Zealand and the United Kingdom. Citizens of these countries can currently travel visa free to the United States with a machine readable passport, but after January 12, 2009 it will become mandatory to be approved to travel to the United States via air or sea. ESTA is only for travelers from a Visa Waiver country with a machine readable passport.
(Click for more on the Electronic System for Travel Authorization )
Electronic Travel Authorization is FREE, FAST and EASY!
International visitors to the U.S. from Visa Waiver Program countries may now apply for travel authorization online. The tool is easy to use, free of charge and available in 16 languages.
(Click to access the online ESTA registration)
For Accessibility Information: OFO508CONTACT@cbp.dhs.gov
Visa Waiver Program
U.S. Customs and Border Protection provides information on its web site about the Visa Waiver Program.
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