Visa Information
We advise meeting attendees traveling to the United States to please apply for a visa as early as possible (at least four months before visa is needed). Please check with your local U.S. consulate or embassy to find out the earliest that you may apply. Because of the number of visas being processed and the need to be thorough with the reviews, this can take as long 10-12 weeks. (As part of new security procedures, applications for visas are being sent to the State Department in Washington, D.C., where they are reviewed. Hence your timely application for a Visa is essential.)
To assist you with this process:
- Ask for a letter of invitation from the International Ocean Institute - USA office to attend at least four (4) months prior to the meeting. Please contact Mara Hendrix for this letter.
- Pre-registration is required.
- Apply for your visa at your local US consulate or embassy at least four (4) months in advance.
- Provide your entire trip itinerary, including travel to any countries other than the United States, at the time of visa application.
- If completion of travel plans is contingent upon early approval of the visa application, specify this at the time of the application.
- Provide proof of scientific status.
- Provide meeting brochure and letter of invitation.
- Provide evidence that you are intending to return to your country of residence. This includes such things as:
- Family ties in current country of residence
- Property ownership
- Bank account
- An employment contract or statement from employer showing that position will continue after the dates of the meeting
- Requirements vary by passport-issuing country and citizenship (not merely residency).
- Provide the IOI-USA with your information so that we may update the Department of State on those individuals requesting a visa.
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. The program was established in 1986 with the objective of eliminating unnecessary barriers to travel, stimulating the tourism industry, and permitting the Department of State to focus consular resources in other areas. VWP eligible travelers may apply for a visa, if they prefer to do so. Not all countries participate in the VWP, and not all travelers from VWP countries are eligible to use the program. VWP travelers are screened prior to admission into the United States, and they are enrolled in the Department of Homeland Security’s USVISIT program.
Currently, 27 countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program, as shown below:
Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.
For the most current requirements and those specific to your situation, please check with your local U.S. consulate or embassy or the U.S. Department of State Visa Services Information Web site at http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html .
To Avoid Delay: Potential attendees who will need a visa should PLEASE APPLY AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE
