18th International Workshop on Inelastic  Ion-Surface Collisions (IISC-18)

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Visas and Travel Authorizations

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Participants should consult the U.S. Department of State website to determine if they need a visa. Visitors from Visa Waiver countries will be required to fill out an electronic authorization form prior to travel to the U.S. (please see below).Visitors from countries other than Visa Waiver countries are required to have a valid visa to enter the U.S. However,

Participants from Visa Waiver countries are required to submit an electronic authorization form referred to as ESTA prior to travel to the U.S. This can be done at any time that travel to the U.S. is contemplated and no flight itinerary is needed. This electronic authorization is intended to replace forms previously done enroute to the U.S. aboard the plane. Approval is expected to be quick and the authorization is valid for a period of two years or until passport expiration. It is recommended that you apply at least 72 hours before travel. In most cases, however, a response is received within seconds of submitting an application.

Participants NOT from Visa Waiver countries should apply for a visitor B-1 visa (for business, including scientific conferences) or a combination of B-1/B-2 (for pleasure or medical reasons). These allow visitors to remain in the U.S. for up to 90 days. You should submit your visa application to the U.S. embassy or consulate AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. The U.S. State Department advises that: Applying for a B-1 visa several months in advance will ensure enough time to conduct the personal interview, review the application, and determine whether a visa will be issued. The U.S. Department of State website allows you to check visa wait times at U.S. Consular offices abroad. However, read the fine print and you will find out that even though the "appointment wait time" is e.g. 1 day, the "time required for administrative processing" can be e.g. 90 days and additional days are needed for other steps (the total number of days changes from country to country). Participants expecting difficulties obtaining a visa are asked to request help from the local organizers so that individual assistance may be provided as needed.

Invitations to attend IISC18 signed by the Conference Chairs will be sent upon request to those participants requiring one for visa applications. If members of the organizing committees are not familiar with your work or research group, we will ask you to make your request after successful abstract submission and acceptance. The title of your invited talk or contributed poster will be specifically mentioned in the letter. Both an electronic copy and a hard copy can be requested. Depending on your expected wait time for a visa you may need to submit your abstract  much earlier than the abstract submission deadline. Please note that such an invitation letter does not imply any obligation, financial or otherwise, by IISC18.

- Last modified: October 20, 2009 -