Information for International Travelers

ENTRY WITHOUT VISA

Visa Waiver Program (VWP)
Citizens of 34 countries do not need a U.S. visa for business or tourism visits of 90 days or less. However, if you will be receiving any compensation for your services or activities (i.e. lectures, presentations, etc.), you may need to apply for a visa.

Information on the VWP and the countries that are included

Citizens of all VWP countries must now have machine readable passports to enter the United States, otherwise a U.S. visa is required.

Specific requirements for citizens of Canada, Mexico and Bermuda can be found on the State Department Website or the AATS website.

ENTRY WITH A VISA

Travel Documents Required For Entry into the United States
When traveling to the U.S., non-immigrant international travelers, with the exception of visitors from countries included in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), or who are citizens of Canada and Bermuda, are required to obtain a visa to enter the U.S. Required documentation and the time it takes to process an application may vary by country of origin. For any questions regarding the documentation required to apply for a U.S. Visa contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your country. Further information can be found online at: http://travel.state.gov/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. 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).

Required Documentation

• Non-immigrant Visa Application (Form DS-156) - Completed and Signed
• A supplemental Non-immigrant Visa Application (Form DS-157) - To provide additional information about your travel plans
• A passport valid for travel to the U.S. (NOTE: If you have a valid passport, make sure to check the expiration date as it needs to be valid for six months after your departure from the U.S.)
• One 2” x 2” photograph

An application fee will also be required. To learn more about these fees and other important details, visit: http://travel.state.gov/visa.

Additional Documentation
It is important that you refer to the Embassy’s Consular Section of the U.S. web site or your local Embassy or Consulate to determine visa processing timeframes and instructions, learn about interview scheduling and find out if there are any additional documentation items required. More information regarding additional documentation can be found on the AATS Website: www.aats.org/annualmeeting.

INVITATION LETTERS