Visa information

All visitors to CHI 2003 that are not US citizens will need to have a visa to enter United States. Typically, CHI attendees from outside US will need to get a Visitor's visa. The Visitor visa is a non-immigrant visa for people traveling to the US for business, or pleasure. Residents of certain countries may not have to obtain a VISA to enter the US (see Visa Waiver Program below).

We have some information about obtaining visas below. However, please check the additional web sites or your local US embassy for further details.

A Visitor's Visa will be issued if:

• The purpose of the trip is to enter the US for business or pleasure
• They plan to remain in the US for a specific period of time
• They have a residence outside of the US as well as other binding ties which will insure their return abroad at the end of their visit.

Each applicant must pay a non-refundable US $65 application fee and submit:

• An application form DS-156 completed and signed
• A passport valid for travel to the US with a validity date at least 6 months beyond the applicant's intended period of stay in the US
• Two photographs 1 inches square for each applicant showing full face without head covering on light background
• All male nonimmigrant visa applicants between the age of 16-45 regardless of nationality and regardless of where they apply must complete and submit a DS-157 form in addition to the DS-156 form.

Applicants can present a letter from CHI 2003 indicating the purpose of the trip, and bearer's intended length of stay. These documents are optional. Please send the request for an invitation letter to the CHI 2003 Headquarters.

As an estimate, allow at least 6 weeks as a minimum for processing the visa application.

The Visa Waiver Program

Visitors from countries qualified in the Visa Waiver Program don't need to obtain a visa before the trip. The Visa Waiver Program is geared to travelers coming to the US for tourism or business for 90 days or less. The qualified countries are:

Visitors entering on the Visa Waiver program cannot stay longer than 90 days or change their status to another category.

For more information, please see www.us-immigration.org or http://travel.state.gov/visa%3Bvisitors.html.