VISA PROCESS TO VISIT THE UNITED STATES

Do I need a visa?

There are two categories of U.S. visas: immigrant and nonimmigrant.

Immigrant visas are for people who intend to live permanently in the U.S. Nonimmigrant visas are for people with permanent residence outside the U.S. but who wish to be in the U.S. on a temporary basis – for tourism, medical treatment, business, temporary work or study.

Type of visa that you will need to attend the 15th World Congress is a Nonimmigrant visa for Temporary visit to the U.S. Usually the U.S. Embassy/Consulate will issue a B1/B2 visa for this purpose.

International travelers, who are nationals of Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries, seeking to travel to the United States without a visa, should review this important information on passport requirements for travelers under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). All VWP travelers, regardless of age or type of passport used, must present individual machine-readable passports.

Currently, 27 countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program, as shown below:

Visa Waiver Program - Participating Countries.

If your country of origin is different from the ones above you will need a visa to enter U.S. territory. In order to process a visa you need contact your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate

If you need a visa…

If you do not qualify for the Visa Waiver Program you will need to apply for one at your nearest Embassy or Consulate.

There are several steps you need to follow:

• Review your visa status and find out if you need a U.S. visa or a renewal.
• Locate a U.S. Embassy or Consulate 
• Ask about specific processes, requirements, fees, and make an appointment
• Request an invitation letter from ITS America
• Attend the appointment at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate with all requirements and fees along with ITS America’s invitation letter
• Obtain the visa

How to locate an U. S. Embassy or Consulate

Please check U.S. Department of State Official website at: http://usembassy.state.gov/ for full contact information of all U.S. Embassies or consulates worldwide.

Requirements, fees and appointment schedule

Once you contact your Embassy, a specific process needs to be followed in order to obtain a visa. This process varies per country and cannot be determined until you contact the Embassy. An interview may be required so please apply for your Visa well in advance of your travel!

Review the visa wait times information for interview appointments and visa processing at each embassy and consular section worldwide available at Visa Wait Times. Visit the embassy or consular section website where you will apply for your visa to find out how to schedule an interview appointment, pay fees and any other instructions.

Please ask for the specific requirements you will need to have prior to your application submission. It varies by country; therefore the general requirements listed here may not be all-inclusive or applicable in your country of origin. Common requirements for visa applications could include but not be limited to the following:

• One photo for each applicant. The photo must be recent (no more than 30 days), 5cm. X 5cm. (2in X 2in), front view. The photo must show the applicant’s entire face on a white background. Applicants should not wear glasses or hats.
• Valid passport. Passport must be valid for at least six months from the interview date.
• Prior Passports, if they contain prior US visas.
• Completed EVAF application form.
• Form D-157
• Visa Application fee (different in each country)

RECOMMENDED DOCUMENTS

Applicants should bring evidence that shows the purpose of their trip, their intention to leave the U.S. after their stay, proof of their ability to cover the cost of their trip, and proof that they will not be a financial burden to the U.S. It is impossible to specify exactly what evidence applicants should bring since individual circumstances vary greatly from case to case. However, applicants may consider bringing the following original documents to their interview:

• Bank Statements
• Credit Card Statements
• Automobile Registration
• Employer's Letters
• Earnings Statements
• Tax returns
• Property Titles
• Any other evidence that may prove the purpose of travel and intention to leave the U.S. after a temporary stay, such as ITS America’s Invitation Letter (See below for information on how to obtain this letter.)

Request an invitation letter from ITS America

As a supporting document, ITS America can issue a customize invitation letter for you to the 15th World Congress on ITS to present to the U.S. Consular Representative during your appointment.

Even though ITS America cannot guarantee a visa to you, it certainly can support your attendance by inviting you personally to this magnificent event.

If you would like to have ITS America to issue an invitation letter to you, please contact Patty Del Pozo at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it with subject: Invitation Letter-World Congress.

On the e-mail please include the following information

After background check and approval in 3-5 working days you will receive your invitation letter electronically.

Attend the Appointment

The Consular Representative will conduct the interview and advise you on how to proceed to obtain the visa.

Arriving in the U.S.

Persons traveling without a visa on the Visa Waiver Program, will be enrolled in the U.S. Visitor and Immigrant Status Indicator Technology (US-VISIT) program at all airports and seaports upon arrival in the U.S.

A visa allows you to travel from your country to a port of entry in the United States. Most often that port of entry will be the airport where you land. On the airplane, you will be asked to complete a short arrival/departure form.

When you deplane, follow signs for non-citizen entry. At that location, a Department of Homeland Security official will conduct a short interview and verify all of your paperwork. See requirements for Entry into the U.S. Under the US-VISIT Program of the Department of Homeland Security, for most persons arriving in the U.S., there will be a scan of the fingerprints of the two index fingers, some airports at the end of 2007 have applied an extra security feature where the Department of Homeland Security official may ask you to place more than the 2 index fingers. For more information please review our 10-Fingerprint Collection Fact Sheet and 10-Fingerprint FAQ's.  A photo will also be taken. Once admitted, you will receive an immigration stamp and proceed to baggage claim and customs. For information about arriving in the U.S., including arriving by land or sea, see US-VISIT.

Visa Process in a Glance

http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/pdfs/gettingavisa.02.03.pdf

FAQ:

What types of visa do I need to attend the ITS World Congress?
There are more than 20 nonimmigrant visa types for people traveling to the United States temporarily. The type of Visa you need is determined by the purpose of your intended travel. It will most likely be a B1/B2 Tourist/Business Type of Visa.

What are the requirements to apply for a visa?
Requirements vary in each country but a valid passport, photographs and supporting documents are commonly requested by the Consular Representative. Please contact your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for specific information on your requirements and fees.

How long does it take for me to get a visa?
U.S. Embassies and Consulates have different appointment and visa issuing schedules, upon demand. Based on your country, visa processing time can vary from 1 week up to 10 months, so please apply early to avoid potential delays on your process.

Does ITS America’s Invitation Letter guarantee the visa for me?
ITS America cannot guarantee your visa, but an invitation letter can certainly help you as a support document through your application process. Invitation letters are usually issued within 3-5 days. Please contact ITS America for an invitation letter at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  with all the information noted above.

After I have my visa, I will be able to enter the U.S., correct?
A visa does not guarantee entry into the U.S. A visa allows a foreign citizen to travel to the U.S. port-of-entry. The Department of Homeland Security immigration inspector authorizes or denies admission to the U.S.

My visa expires in 5 years, what does this mean?
A visa must be valid at the time a traveler seeks admission to the U.S., but the expiration date of the visa (validity period/length of time the visa can be used) has no relation to the length of time a temporary visitor may be authorized by the Department of Homeland Security to remain in the United States. Persons holding visas valid for multiple entries may make repeated trips to the U.S., for travel for the same purpose, as long as the visa has not expired, and the traveler has done nothing to become ineligible to enter the U.S., at port of entry.

How can I find out how long I am authorized to stay in the U.S?
At the port of entry, upon entering the U.S., the Department of Homeland Security, US immigration inspector, provides you a small white card, Form I-94, Arrival-Departure Record in your passport. Visa Waiver Program travelers receive Form 1-94W. On this form, the U.S. immigration inspector records either a date or "D/S" (duration of status). If your I-94 contains a specific date, then that is the date by which you must leave the United States. Your Form I-94, or I-94W is a very important document to keep in your passport, since it shows your permission to be in the U.S.