VISA Information

We want to make you aware of important visa Information that might impact your attendance at the meeting. If you are planning to attend the Conference and you require a visa for entrance into the United States, please be advised the processing time to secure a visa has substantially increased due to security issues. Consulates in some countries are now taking several months to process visa applications. Please consider this and allow enough time for visa processing.

Please see the notice below from the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Consular Affairs http://travel.state.gov/visa/visa_1750.html

“Visa applications are now subject to a greater degree of scrutiny than in the past. Applicants affected by these procedures are informed of the need for additional screening at the time they submit their applications and are being advised to expect delays. The time needed for adjudication of individual cases will continue to be difficult to predict. We recommend that individuals build in ample time before their planned travel date when seeking to obtain a visa.”

“We recognize that these delays are having an impact on visa applicants, and we have already had success streamlining the process, consistent with our security and legal responsibilities. The State Department is working hard with other government agencies to rationalize clearance procedures in ways that continue to protect US borders, our first priority, while facilitating legitimate travel.”

If you are planning to attend the 2008 Conference, we urge you to apply for your visa immediately. For International members arriving a few days prior to the conference, or leaving after the conference, the Hotel will honor the group room rate three days prior and post conference based on availability.