Visa Information FAQs
Find this information, and
more, on the
International Visitors Office web site.
Do I need a visa to travel to the United States?
| Most travelers to
the United States must hold a valid visa and a passport that is valid six
months longer than the intended visit.
Visitors
planning to attend the ISMRM 13th Scientific Meeting & Exhibition will most
likely need to apply for a B-1, temporary visitor for business, visa.
For more information on nonimmigrant visa categories, please visit the
U.S.
Citizenship and Immigrant Services web site. Please contact the ISMRM Central Office if you require a letter of invitation for purposes of securing your visa. Please note that proof of registration for the ISMRM 13th Scientific Meeting & Exhibition will be required before a letter of invitation can be issued. |
When do I need to apply for a visa?|
APPLY EARLY!
Visa applicants are advised to apply as soon as they
consider traveling to the United States and at least 3 to 4 months in advance
of the trip.
International delegates should begin the visa process during
January 2005. |
How do I apply for a visa?| As a standard part of the visa process, the State Department is now
requiring that consular officers interview almost every applicant. Some
consulates may have a long wait for an interview so applicants should
contact the consulate to schedule an interview as early as possible.
Furthermore, many visa applications are sent to the State Department in
Washington, D.C. to be reviewed by several agencies. Because of the number
of visa applications and the need for thorough security reviews, the process
can take several months. Therefore, it is advisable for travelers to apply
for their visas as early as possible (at least three to four months before
the visa is needed). Contact the nearest
U.S. consulate or embassy
for details on visa application
procedures at that post. Also, see the
State Department Notice on Current Visa Processing Situation. |
I am from a
country that participates in the
Visa Waiver Program (VWP). What do I need in order to enter the
United States without a visa? (click
here for a list of participating countries)If you will be traveling to the U.S. from
a VWP country, you must follow these Visa Waiver Program requirements:
*PLEASE NOTE:
Although the deadline for passports including biometric technology has
been delayed until October 2005, machine-readable passports are still
required by October 26, 2004. If the passport is not machine-readable, a
traveler under the Visa Waiver Program must also obtain a visa in order
to enter the United States. |
What can I
expect when I enter the United States?|
All travelers arriving in the United
States are met by an immigration inspector who examines each passport
and visa, validates the Arrival-Departure (I-94) card, and determines
the length of time the visitor may stay in the United States. While the
visa issued by the consulate allows a visitor to apply for admission to
the United States, the final decision is made by the immigration
inspector. Visitors should be prepared to explain what they will be
doing during their visit, where they will stay, and when they plan to
return to their country. Since January 5, 2004, all visitors to the United States holding a non-immigrant U.S. visa are photographed and fingerprinted upon arrival. After September 30, 2004 this will apply to all visitors under the Visa Waiver Program as well. For further information see the Department of Homeland Security US-VISIT Program. Visitors should allow ample time in their flight schedules for this entry process when arriving in United States. |
Where can I find more information?
| For detailed information on visa
requirements, visa delay and/or denial, and what to do upon entry to the
United States please visit the
International Visitors Office web site. |