Annual Meeting

IMPORTANT NOTICE FOR ASBMR 29th ANNUAL MEETING PARTICIPANTS APPLYING FOR A VISA

Several years ago, the United States Department of State implemented a major policy change requiring that everyone seeking a visa to enter the U.S. schedule a face-to-face interview at a U.S. Consular office. Due to this greater degree of scrutiny required for all U.S. visa applications, longer delays should be expected.

With this in mind, we strongly recommend that all participants needing to obtain a visa to attend the ASBMR 29th Annual Meeting in Honolulu, Hawaii, September 16-19, 2007, start the application process as soon as possible. We also advise contacting the local U.S. Consulate before beginning the process to obtain and follow all instructions. Most consulates and embassies have websites that can be accessed through www.state.gov. This is the easiest way to obtain information about consular procedures and requirements.

The new policy will not affect citizens from the 27 countries currently participating in the Visa Waiver Program (including, but not limited to, Canada, Japan and many European countries), who by law do not need visas for tourist or business travel to the United States. For a list of these countries – click here.

The consular officers look for proof of legitimacy of travel and evidence the applicants will return to their country of residence after the meeting. Many visas are denied due to the lack of ties that would compel a return, and verbal warrantees don’t count.  Examples of “binding” proofs are family ties, evidence of employment, property ownership, paid matriculation at college showing enrollment after return. 

We recommend that you visit the following sites, which are VERY helpful on this issue.  The National Academies’ site offers detailed information for international traveling and meeting attendance.  Please note that participants from certain countries will need additional time and documentation for their visa processing. 

International Travel Information – The National Academies
http://www7.nationalacademies.org/visas/ 

U.S. Department of State Visa Services
http://travel.state.gov/visa/index.html

These measures are necessary in view of the current world security situation, but we trust that most of the participants will not encounter difficulties if all the documentation is in order when first submitted, and as early as possible.