It is each attendee’s responsibility to check the entry requirements for the United States and to apply for a visa or travel authorization in good time.
Citizens of countries in the Visa Waiver Program can usually attend a conference for up to 90 days without a visa, but they must hold an approved ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) before departure. Apply at least 72 hours before you travel.
Everyone else: attending a scientific conference is usually covered by a B-1 (business) visitor visa. Apply at the U.S. embassy or consulate responsible for where you live. Interview wait times vary widely by country and can take several months, so please start as early as possible.
Applying online: ESTA applications are made only on the official U.S. government website. Beware of third-party sites that charge extra fees. Visa applications start with the online DS-160 form; you can check current interview wait times for your embassy or consulate on the U.S. Department of State website.
Invitation letters: if you need a letter of invitation for your visa application, please contact the organizers after registering. Include your full name as shown in your passport, your affiliation and, if applicable, the title of your accepted paper.
