Do you require a letter of invitation?

The congress takes place January 20-22, 2008. Most countries especially those from developing countries require 4 to 6 month lead time for processing.

Letters of Invitation can be sent to delegates who have paid and registered for the World Congress on Neck Pain coming from Asia and western development countries requiring letters of invitation. Please contact the congress office after you have registered on-line.

Do I Need a Visa?

NEW PASSPORT REQUIREMENTS FOR CANADA AND MEXICO:

• Beginning January 8, 2007 all citizens of Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the United States of American must have a passport (or another accepted secure document) to enter or re-enter the United States when traveling by air or sea. For more information please contact the US Department of State (http://www.travel.state.gov) or the US Department of Homeland Security (http://www.dhs.gov).

If you are a non-U.S. resident, you may need a visa to enter the United States for the conference and exhibition. If you already have a U.S. visa, please check the expiration date to make sure your visa will not expire before or during your planned travel dates. Citizens of those countries meeting the visa waiver criteria do not need a visa to enter the United States. Currently, the 27 countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) are:

Visa Application Process

• Conference participants who live outside the continental United States must apply for a visa to enter the United States. It is recommended that visas be obtained in the applicant’s country of origin, although it is possible to obtain a visa while outside of the applicant’s home country. The application is made to a U.S Consular office or section of the U.S Embassy. It may be necessary to apply for a visa in your country of origin although you are currently living in a country which doesn’t require a visa.
• Recently, the U.S. has updated its visa policies to increase security for our citizens and visitors. We cannot over-emphasize that advance planning by foreign travelers is critical, including these planning steps:
• As soon as travel to the United States is contemplated, foreign travelers should determine if a visa is needed. As of June 26, 2005, travelers from the 27 Visa Waiver Program countries must have a machine readable passport to enter the United States without a visa. The Department of State’s recommended first source of up-to-date visa information is: www.travel.state.gov
• After identifying that a visa is needed, travelers should contact the US Embassy Consular Section of www.travel.state.gov to determine visa processing timeframes.
• Based on processing timeframes, it is critical that travelers submit to the US Embassy or US Consular Office the Nonimmigrant Visa Application, Form DS-156, and all other required documentation promptly.
• A "Letter of Invitation" is supplementary information that explains a visa applicant's intended purpose of travel. U.S. Embassies and Consulates do not have one specific format that these letters must follow. Consular officers look at the totality of an applicant's personal situation in determining visa eligibility. Supporting documents, such as a "letter of invitation", are often useful, but are not decisive in determining an applicant's visa eligibility. Mere possession of a letter of invitation from a U.S. source will not necessarily guarantee that the holder will receive a visa.

We urge everyone that requires a Visa to travel to the US to apply for the Visa as early as possible. Please read the following information carefully.

• Apply at the appropriate location at least 5 months before intended travel.  You can check on-line for the wait times for appointments.
• Be prepared to allow inkless fingerprinting and digital photographs upon entry to the US.
• Be accurate and specific in completing your application. Avoid mistakes. If needed, attach an additional explanation letter.
• Attach evidence of your previous visits to the United States and of your intended return trip to your home country.
• Acquire a police clearance, if possible.
• Bring all documentation proving your home country connections. Suggestions include: past visas, bank accounts, family, professional position, home ownership, and marriage license.
• If you are presenting a paper or speaking at the meeting or are receiving and award or grant, bring copies of correspondence confirming that.
• Bring your letter of invitation from the World Congress on Neck Pain.