All individuals traveling from outside the United States must apply for entry visas as soon as possible and at least three to four months prior to the date of travel. The most updated information may be found at the U.S. State Department site. Scientists visiting the U.S. may find helpful information at The National Academies of Sciences website. Visa appointment wait times can be found here.
Please do not wait until you receive your registration confirmation before applying for a visa. All visitors traveling to the U.S. from visa waiver countries (i.e., Europe, Japan, Australia, etc.) must meet all requirements. If you need more information on the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) or a list of visa waiver countries, click here.
If your visa is denied, make sure that you send in a cancellation request by Monday, September 12. Cancellation requests made after Monday, September 12, will not receive registration refunds. Cancellation requests may be sent to info@navbo.org.
NAVBO is willing to help you acquire a Visa in order to facilitate your attendance at one of our meetings by issuing a letter of invitation, however, the following is required:
Prior to receiving a letter of invitation, each individual requesting an invitation letter must first register and pay for the conference. Conference registration fees are refundable (less the designated processing fee) if the visa application is denied. The refund request must be received in writing by September 12.
Once the payment has been received, requests for Letters of Invitation should be addressed by email directly to Bernadette Englert at bernadette@navbo.org. Please note that each individual requesting an invitation letter must email a separate request.
A letter of invitation is issued solely for the purpose of assisting participants with visa applications. Such a letter does not imply any financial obligation on the part of NAVBO. All expenses incurred in relation to the meeting are the sole responsibility of the attendee(s).
Please note that we cannot guarantee that you will receive a visa. The decision to grant visas is at the sole discretion of the Embassy or Consulate offices. NAVBO will not be able to contact or intervene with Embassy or Consulate offices on your behalf. NAVBO cannot change the decision of the Embassy or Consulate offices should your application be denied.
The following information is required before a letter of invitation can be issued:
Your CV (curriculum vitae or resume)
Name as it appears on your passport
Title/Position (Professor, graduate student, postdoctoral fellow, etc.)
Institutional address
City, Province, Country, Postal Code
Personal Street Address
City, Province, Country, Postal Code
Email
Passport number
Date of issuance
Date of expiration
Place of issue
Date of Birth
Place of birth
Nationality
You should also indicate briefly why you want to attend the conference.
All letters of invitation are generic in nature and will be signed and sent in PDF format that can be printed by the requester(s). No mailed (postal) letters of invitation will be sent. Due to the costs involved, we cannot send letters of invitation via express mail services.
It is the traveler's responsibility to check and confirm current visa requirements to enter the United States. To see if you require a visa, please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/wizard.html. NAVBO cannot be held responsible for travelers who do not confirm their visa requirements or who do not obtain the appropriate paperwork for travel to the conference.
For additional information regarding traveling in the United States, consult https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en.html or http://www.dhs.gov/how-do-i/visit-united-states.