Valid passports are required for EVERYONE
Travel must be completed six months before the passport expiration
date. If you do not have a current passport, you should apply
for one with your local authorities.
Entry visas may be necessary depending on your nationality
Countries of Origin and Visa Requirements |
| Canada |
NO Visa required |
China, Russia |
Visa required |
Japan, Korea |
NO
visa required IF stay is less than
90 days, and the traveler meets the conditions to travel
under the visa
waiver program |
| Other Countries |
Passport and visa required, unless the traveler is a
citizen from one of the visa waiver program countries |
The timeframes for visa processing are difficult to predict
with accuracy for any individual applicant. If a visa is needed,
apply as early as possible, preferably three months in advance
of the travel date.
Visa applicants should refer to the consular section of the web
page (available via http://www.usembassy.gov/)
of the American embassy or consulate with jurisdiction over
place of permanent residence to determine specific visa processing
timeframes and instructions, learn about interview scheduling,
and find out if there is any required documentation. It is
recommended that visa applicants include the following with
their application background materials:
- copy of the conference announcement;
- copy of the conference registration acknowledgement; and
- curriculum vitae.
As part of the visa application process, an interview will be required at the U.S. embassy or consulate; during the interview, applicants are encouraged to inform the consular officer if they will be making a presentation, serving as a member of a panel or committee, or filling another role at the meeting.
Note to travelers eligible to enter without a visa
Please see the information regarding machine-readable passports
for visa waiver travelers eligible to enter the United States
without a visa (http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html).
All international visitors who are traveling on the visa waiver
program are required to register as early as possible with
the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA, https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta).
CBP recommends that visitors register with ESTA as early as
possible, as soon as travel is planned.
Official letter of invitation
Those in need of official letters of invitation from the U.S.
Government should send their:
- full name;
- date of birth;
- nationality;
- passport number;
- city of visa interview and
- full contact information including email address
BY FAX OR REGULAR MAIL
TO
Laurie Mukai
NOAA/NMFS/NWFSC
2725 Montlake Blvd. East
Seattle, WA 98112.2097
phone: 206.860.3438
fax: 206.860.3217
Please title your message “PICES Invitation Letter” to ensure expeditious handling.
Foreign government officials - Ministers and Delegations
Heads of government, ministers, and other government officials
generally do not require interviews when applying for visas,
if their travel is official. However, a consular officer can
request an interview. Ministers, delegates, and government
officials supporting the delegation must forward a diplomatic
note from their governments requesting a visa for the purpose
of the meeting along with their passports. There is no fee
for these visas. Travelers should apply as soon as possible
to the U.S. Embassy in their country of residence. For more
information on official visits to the U.S., visit http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_2637.html.
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