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Visa Information for International Participants

Conference participants should familiarize themselves with visa requirements well in advance of the conference. Useful information on visa requirements can be found at the following websites:

The majority of participants will be able to use the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which enables eligible citizens or nationals of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or fewer without first obtaining a visa. Details, including a list of the 36 counties that currently participate in the VWP, are on the U.S. Department of State website.

Travelers intending to use the VWP must first apply for travel authorization online through the new “Electronic System for Travel Authorization” (ESTA) system. ESTA applications may be submitted at almost anytime prior to travel, though it is recommended that travelers apply when they start making travel plans. You must apply at least 72 hours in advance to ensure entry into the U.S. Please visit the U.S. Customs & Border Protection website for information, including a Q&A, about the system.

For those of you that cannot use the VWP and need a visa, HMF21 will provide a Conference Invitation Letter on request. Send requests to the Conference Coordinator and include the following information:

  • Full name
  • Date of birth
  • Citizenship
  • Country of birth
  • Mailing Address
  • E-mail address

If you don’t receive your invitation by e-mail within a few days of your request, or if you wish to receive a hard-copy via regular mail, e-mail the Conference Coordinator, who will arrange for the invitation to be mailed.

We recommend that you arrange your visa as soon as possible. As a reference, the current U.S. visa processing/interview time can be viewed at the U.S. Department of State website. Remember that the quoted times do not include the time required for administrative processing, which may make the wait time considerably longer than expected.

 

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