ASC 2004 CANNOT INTERVENE with U.S. Embassies abroad or the State Department in Washington, DC, on behalf of any participant. However, if you need a personal letter of invitation to attend the Conference, contact Centennial Conferences (e-mail: asc'04@centennialconferences.com; Fax: 303-499-2599) and provide your complete mailing address (including phone and fax numbers). Your letter will be MAILED TO YOU, so request it well in advance of when you expect to need it.

IMPORTANT WEBSITES

http://www7.nationalacademies.org/visas/
http://www.travel.state.gov/visa_services.html
http://www.travel.state.gov/visa;visitors.html
http://www.travel.state.gov/getting_vistors_visa.html
http://travel.state.gov/links.html

NOTES FOR GUIDANCE

US-VISIT: As of January 5, 2004, the US-VISIT program is in effect. Individuals subject to the requirements and processes of the US-VISIT program are those who are not U.S. citizens at the time of entry or exit or are U.S. citizens who have not identified themselves as such at the time of entry or exit. Visitors traveling on visas will have two fingerprints scanned by an inkless device and a digital photograph taken. All of the data and information is then used to assist the border inspector in determining whether or not to admit the traveler. These enhanced procedures will add only seconds to the visitor's overall processing time. Complete information on US-VISIT is available on the Department of Homeland Security website.

These notes presume that non-U.S. citizens/residents traveling to the U.S. for attendance at the ASC 2004 Conference do so for this reason only. The guidance offered may not be appropriate for plans, which include visits to other institutions, vacations or other objectives. (The Conference organizers may be able to offer advice on appropriate visas when there are additional objectives.) Where this Conference is the only objective, we believe that a B-1 (Business Visitor) visa is appropriate. Dependent on citizenship, the visitor may not need to apply for a B-1 visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Citizens of "visa waiver" countries:
It is suggested that citizens of countries participating in the "visa waiver program" use this option (though a visa can also be applied for as outlined below). Citizens of countries designated as participating in this program (see listing of countries and general rules at http://travel.state.gov/vwp.html) do not need B-1 visas in their passports to be admitted to the US if their business objective can be met in 90 days or less.

Those planning to use this approach should have the following items when they travel.

a) A passport valid for 6 months or more beyond the intended date of arrival in the U.S.
b) A round-trip ticket
c) A letter from their employer stating the reason for the visit to the U.S., and confirming that the employer is sending the person to the ASC 2004 Conference and will continue to pay the person's salary during the trip.
d) A copy of their registration in the ASC 2004 Conference or, even better, a formal letter of invitation from the ASC 2004 Conference Organizers.

Citizens of non-"visa waiver" countries:
Citizens of countries that are not participants in the "visa waiver program" must apply for a visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate. When an application is made in a country other than the person's home country, this is referred to as a "third country national" (TCN) application. It is strongly recommended that all applicants check the web site of the Embassy/Consulate at which they intend to apply (http://travel.state.gov/links.html or http://usembassy.state.gov/) to download needed forms, instructions and to be sure of local procedures, particularly in the case of TCN applications.

In addition to required forms, visa applications should contain:

a) A passport valid for at least 6 months beyond their intended date of arrival in the US
b) A letter from the applicant's employer stating the reason for their visit to the U.S., and confirming the employer is sending the person to ASC 2004 for this purpose and will continue to pay the person's salary during the trip.
c) A copy of the applicant's registration in the ASC 2004 Conference or a formal letter of invitation from the Conference Organizers.

Many visa-issuing posts are requiring personal interviews with visa applicants and, at the discretion of the reviewing Consular Officer, any application can be referred for a security check. Applications made by male citizens of certain countries will usually undergo such a check. Because of the current lengthy processing times for visa applications, it is recommended that applications be made no less than three months prior to the intended date of arrival in the U.S. It should be noted that ASC 2004 has no means to influence the progress of any security check.

Travelers should also have copies of items b) and c) of this section with them when they travel since admitting Officers of the Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (BCBP) of the Department of Homeland Security (the "Immigration Service"/INS prior to March 1, 2003) may ask for evidence of the objective of the visit.

General Comments:
1) All non-U.S. travelers should be aware that, on arrival in the U.S., they must provide a full address where they will stay during their time in the U.S. It is not acceptable to just enter "ASC 2004" on admission documents (Form I-94). If a hotel has been arranged, the hotel address must be provided; if staying with friends/acquaintances, a full private address must be provided. Further, any address changes during the period of stay must be brought to the attention of the newly formed Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS) of the Department of Homeland Security within 10 days of the change. Failure to notify the BCIS of a change of address may negatively affect the traveler's future visa applications.

2) Citizens and nationals of certain countries (as of March, 2003, Afghanistan, Algeria, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Egypt, Eritrea, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, North Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen) are required to undergo "special registration" procedures on arrival in the U.S., periodic reporting to the BCBP and departure from designated airports. Those subject to the requirement will most likely be notified of it at the time of visa issuance. However, please note that "special registration" may be imposed on any traveler by a Consular Officer at the time of visa issuance or by the BCBP at the time of arrival in the U.S. where deemed appropriate. (Information on "special registration" procedures may be found at
http://uscis.gov/graphics/shared/lawenfor/specialreg/index.htm

Any problems encountered in visa applications or in the admission process should be communicated immediately to the ASC 2004 Conference organizers.