26–30 Oct 2009
Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory
America/Los_Angeles timezone

Visa Information for Visitors to the United States

There are several restrictions on visitors to the United States, depending on the nationality of the visitor and the place from which you leave to arrive in the U.S.

VISAS

Unless you are a citzen of a country listed under the "Visa Waiver" countries (below) or of Canada, you will need a visa to enter the United States.

VISA WAIVER COUNTRIES

Andorra             Iceland                 Norway
Australia            Ireland                 Portugal
Austria               Italy                     San Marino
Belgium              Japan                   Singapore
Brunei                Latvia                   Slovakia
Czech Republic  Liechtenstein        Slovenia 
Denmark            Lithuania              South Korea
Estonia              Luxemburg           Spain
Finland              Malta                     Sweden
France               Monaco                 Switzerland
Germany           The Netherlands    United Kingdom
Hungary            New Zealand

Citizens of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program do not need to apply for visas to attend the Conference. You may enter the United States using just your passports and your Conference Registration Notice. At the port of entry into the U.S, please request to be given a "Visa Waiver for Business" (WB) status. That will allow you to stay in the U.S. for the length of the Conference. Official letters of invitation (without financial commitment) to help overcome administrative difficulties in some countries can be sent upon written request to the conference administrator.

IMPORTANT: Effective January 12, 2009, all Visa Waiver travelers will be required to obtain an authorization via ESTA before traveling to the United States: https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/

NON-VISA WAIVER COUNTRIES

Citizens of countries not participating in the Visa Waiver Program will need to request a Business (B-1) visa at the nearest U.S. Consulate. Please present at the Consulate your Conference Registration Notice, along with your valid passport. We urge you to do this EARLY, as there are often delays in this process. Official letters of invitation (without financial commitment) to help overcome administrative difficulties in some countries can be sent upon written request to the conference administrator.

CANADA

Although Canada is not a Visa Waiver country, Canadian citizens do not need to apply for visas at the U.S. Consulate. Citizens of Canada may enter the country using just their passports, along with their Conference Registration Notice. Please request at the port of entry status as a Visitor for Business (B-1).