Information for International Participants

Visa regulations are continually changing for travel to the United States. Visa applications may take from three to four months to process and require a personal interview, as well as specific personal information. International participants should view the important information about traveling to the U.S. found at http://www7.nationalacademies.org/visas/Traveling_to_US.html and http://travel.state.gov/visa/index.html. If you need a preliminary conference invitation in order to secure a visa, please send your request to CJ Fearnley (cjf@SynergeticsCollaborative.org) If you discover you do need a visa, the National Academies website (see above) provides these tips for successful visa applications:

Visa applicants are expected to provide evidence that they are intending to return to their country of residence. Therefore, applicants should provide proof of "binding" or sufficient ties to their home country or permanent residence abroad. This may include 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 stating that the position will continue when the employee returns;
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 or the U.S. host, specifying the subject, location and dates of the activity, and how travel and local expenses will be covered;
If travel plans will depend on early approval of the visa application, specify this at the time of the application;
Provide proof of professional scientific and/or educational status (students should provide a university transcript).

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