Visa & Passport Information

As part of security procedures, many applications for visas are sent to the State Department for a security review. The Website for the State Department is http://travel.state.gov/visa. You can also visit the "International Visitors Office" Website at http://www.nationalacademies.org/visas. We advise scientists traveling to the United States to apply for a visa as early as possible (at least three months before visa is needed).

Please check with your local U.S. consulate or embassy to find out the earliest that you may apply for a visa by clicking on the following URL: http://travel.state.gov/visa/questions_embassy.html. Because of the number of visas being processed and the need to be thorough with the reviews, this can take as long 8 weeks, especially for those countries that are on the State Sponsors of Terrorism List. Attendees from these countries should start the application process at least 6 months in advance of the meeting.

Some foreign participants may not need visas if they are citizens of any of the countries on the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). For the list of countries, please visit http://travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_novisa_waiver.html. ALL citizens of the Visa Waiver Program are required to have Machine-Readable Passports (MRP) in order to travel to the United States without a visa. Without a MRP, you will be required to apply for a visa. For further information on passport requirements, visit the Department of Homeland Security Website. All foreign visitors (including Visa Waiver Program travelers) will be fingerprinted and photographed upon arrival in the United States. For additional information, visit the US-Visit Program Website.

To assist you with the Visa application process:

• Ask for a letter of invitation to attend at least four (4) months prior to the meeting (see below for further information).

• Apply for visa at least three (3) months in advance. For countries that are on the State Sponsors of Terrorism List, the State Department suggests applying for a visa six (6) to eight (8) months in advance.

• Provide your entire trip itinerary, including travel to any countries other than the United States , at the time of visa application.

• If completion of travel plans is contingent upon early approval of the visa application, specify this at the time of the application.

• Provide proof of scientific status.

• Provide meeting brochure and letter of invitation.

• Provide evidence that you are intending to return to your country of residence. This includes such things as:

  • family ties in current country of residence

  • property ownership

  • bank account

  • an employment contract or statement from employer showing that position will continue after the dates of the meeting

• Requirements vary by passport-issuing country and citizenship (not merely residency).

PASSPORT INFORMATION

VISA Problems:

For applications that have not been approved 30 days after the interview you should complete an on-line questionnaire for assistance. The questionnaire can be found at http://www7.nationalacademies.org/visas/Visa_Questionnaire.html. You will be asked to name the meeting (EB 2008) and explain the purpose of your visit. Click HERE to view a step by step guide to the visa application process. Click HERE for information regarding visa wait times.

Requests for Letters of Invitation:

For security purposes, letters of invitation can only be sent to individuals that have registered for the meeting. Click on the following link to login to the registration site and request your letter of invitation http://www.xpressreg.net/register/EXBi048/xpresstoolkit/login.asp. For questions regarding this policy, you may contact your sponsoring society or email eb@faseb.org.

American Association of Anatomists (AAA)
Phone: 301-634-7910; Fax: 301-634-7965
Email: exec@anatomy.org 

American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (ASBMB)
Phone: 301-634-7145; Fax: 301-634-7126
Email: meetings@asbmb.org 

American Society for Nutritional (ASN)
Phone: 301-634-7051; Fax: 301-634-1892
Email: ameyers@nutrition.org 

American Society for Investigative Pathology (ASIP)
Phone: 301-634-7950; Fax: 301-634-7990
Email: meetings@asip.org 

American Society for Pharmacology & Experimental Therapeutics (ASPET)
Phone: 301-634-7066; Fax: 301-634-7061
nwhite@aspet.org 

American Physiological Society (APS)
Phone: 301-634-7967; Fax: 301-634-7241
Email: meetings@the-aps.org

The American Association of Immunologists (AAI)
Phone: 301-634-7178; Fax: 301-634-7887
Email: meetings@aai.org