VISA PAGE QUICK LINKS
| VISA Information and Letter of Invitation |
| The VISA application process to enter the United States has become subjected to greater degrees of scrutiny. For this reason, the application process can take up to six months or more. You will need to apply for your VISA as early as possible, but no later than three months before you wish to enter the United States. Invitation letters take IWCS management 3-4 days to process. One factor contributing to the increase in the processing time is a personal interview which is now required for most applicants as a standard part of the VISA processing. Once it is known that a VISA is necessary for travel the individual needs to contact the embassy or consulate to schedule and appointment for screening. For detailed information about applying for a VISA refer to the Department of State Web site and the National Academies International Visitors Office Web site. Individuals requiring Letters of Invitation to obtain a travel VISA may contact IWCS directly. Download and fill out the Letter of Invitation Request Form and either print it as a PDF document and email it to the IWCS Office OR print it as a hard copy and FAX it to the IWCS Office. Please include your full name as it appears on your passport, complete mail address, phone and fax number. If you are presenting a paper, include the title of the paper you will be presenting, or if you are exhibiting please indicate that in your request. When requesting letters for more than one individual, please include the entire information requested above for each person. Individuals from China should include the passport number, date of birth and gender of the person requesting the invitation letter. All letters of invitation will be sent by email as a PDF (electronic) file or by fax unless an original (on letterhead) is needed. If the original is needed via an expedited delivery method, please provide a Federal Express or UPS account number. IWCS is not able to contact U.S. Embassies in support of an individual attempting to gain entry into the host country to attend the conference. |