Are you prepared for travel to the United States?

The U.S. government requires residents of many countries to obtain a temporary visa before entering the United States. The visa application process may have increased the length of time required to receive your visa, so it is very important to apply for your visa at least 90 days prior to your departure. The information below provides important links and details that should make the process easier for you. Please contact us if you need assistance!

Helpful Hints & Applying for Your Visa

1. Review the U.S. Department of State Web site for changes to the visa process that may affect you.
2. Apply for your visa as early as possible and at least 90 days prior to your departure date. Make this a priority.
3. Obtain a Letter of Invitation from ISSA (see directions below).
4. Check your passport expiration date to make sure it will be valid for at least six more months.
5. If you already have a visa, check the expiration date to make sure it will not expire before your trip is completed.

Requesting a Letter of Invitation from ISSA

1. First, you must register online at www.issa.com.
2. After you have registered, you may request a letter of invitation by clicking on the icon in the “registration dashboard.” You will be prompted to include specific information such as your date of birth and your passport number.
3. The registration system will generate a Letter of Invitation. Please print the letter and submit it along with your visa application to the U.S. Embassy/Consulate.

Please Note

1. After October 6, 2010, ISSA will not be able to process any new requests for a Letter of Invitation.
2. Complete one request for each person requiring a Letter of Invitation.
3. Only requests submitted via the online registration will be processed. Obtaining a Letter of Invitation from ISSA will not guarantee that you will be approved for a visa. The letter is merely supplementary information that explains a visa applicant’s intended purpose to travel. U.S. Embassy officers look at the totality of an applicant’s personal situation in determining visa eligibility.

Scheduling Visa Interview Appointments

Specific wait times vary for visa interview appointments for each U.S. embassy or consulate. Wait times depend on location and time of year, but you can find out specific procedures and estimated wait times by checking your U.S. embassy/consulate's Web site. Many visa interviews last only 3-5 minutes. It is very important that you have all the necessary documentation with you to ensure a successful interview.

Tips to Make Your Visa Interview Successful

1. Provide a summary of employment history, experience, and expertise associated with the purpose of travel in order to expedite the interview process.
2. Take a copy of your registration confirmation, hotel reservation, and flight itinerary.
3. Make a list of the ISSA exhibitors you intend to meet with and/or a list of appointments already scheduled with exhibitors.
4. Click here to find the U.S. embassy and consulate(s) in your country.

Visa Waiver Program

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of 36 participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business (visitor [B] visa purposes only) for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. VWP eligible travelers may apply for a visa, if they prefer to do so. Nationals of VWP countries must meet eligibility requirements to travel without a visa on VWP, and therefore, some travelers from VWP countries are not eligible to use the program. VWP travelers are required to have a valid authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to travel, are screened at the port of entry into the United States, and are enrolled in the Department of Homeland Security’s US-VISIT program.

New Visa Fee Established This Year!
U.S. Customs and Border Protection on Sept. 8, 2010 plans to begin collecting through the newly established Electronic System for Travel Authorization a $14 fee once every two years from travelers entering the United States from visa-waiver countries. The fees will fund a new federal tourism bureau established this year by the Travel Promotion Act. Learn more.