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Dear International Speaker,
We value and look forward to your participation in the upcoming International
Chemical Congress of Pacific Basin Societies (PACIFICHEM)15-20
December 2005 in Honolulu, Hawaii. In your preparations to attend the meeting,
we encourage you to initiate the visa application process now if
you haven't already done so. Here are some considerations to help inform and
facilitate the process.
Determine the appropriate visa category for your travel.
Contact the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate (http://travel.state.gov/travel/abroad_embassies.html)
if you need help with this. Visitors planning to visit the United States to
attend a professional
meeting will most likely apply for a B-1 visa. However, if you will be
receiving any compensation for your activities (e.g., honoraria for lectures
and presentations), you may need to apply for a visa under a different
category (http://www7.nationalacademies.org/visas/Traveling_to_US.html#P21_453).
Be sure to ask how you can get application forms, what fees are required and
how they can be paid, and how and when to schedule an interview. If you are
applying in a country other than your home country, allow for extra time.
Communicate clearly on your application when PACIFICHEM 2005 will take place.
Sensitive Technology Projects. The U.S. Department of
State Technology Alert List (http://foia.state.gov/masterdocs/09fam/0940031X1.pdf)
is provided as guidance for consular officers who review visa applications
involving a sensitive technology. If you have such a background through
graduate-level studies, teaching, conducting research, participating in
exchange programs, receiving training or employment, or engaging in commercial
transactions, your application will undergo a security review. Applicants
should take this into consideration and apply as early as possible. During the
interview, be prepared to explain your scientific activity in clear terms for
a layperson. Make sure your paperwork is in order. To prepare for the
application and interview, be sure your passport is valid (six months or
longer), that you have completed the appropriate visa application forms, and
that you have a passport-type photograph (http://travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_info_photo.html),
proof of payment of fees (http://travel.state.gov/visa/vofees.html#temp),
and evidence of funds, such as bank statements, to cover your expenses while
in the United States. Be sure your name on all documents is consistent with
the name in your passport. Bring documents showing you have registered and
paid the registration fee. Document your ties to your home country. As part of
your visa application and interview, you will need to show proof that you have
binding or sufficient ties to your home country or permanent residence abroad.
You will need to present documentation showing evidence of:
* family ties to the home country or permanent residence abroad;
* property ownership;
* bank accounts;
* employment (contract or letter from your employer specifying length of
employment, position, and salary, for example);
* the entire trip itinerary, including travel to countries other than the
United States;
* an announcement from the meeting organizer specifying the subject, location,
and dates of the event;
* and documentation showing whether you have submitted or have had accepted a
proposal to deliver a technical paper.
Strong ties differ from country to country, city to city, individual to
individual. Some examples of ties can be a job, a house, a family, or a bank
account. The law places this burden of proof on the applicant to show strong
ties. Applicants must qualify for the visa according to their own
circumstances, not on the basis of assurance from an organization.
U.S. immigration law delegates the responsibility for
issuance or refusal of visas to consular officers overseas. An applicant can
influence the post to
change a prior visa denial only through by presenting new and convincing
evidence of strong ties. Provide proof of your professional, scientific,
or educational status. A curriculum vitae and copies of diplomas will serve
this purpose. Come to the interview prepared. Wear appropriate business attire
for the visa interview. Your interview may only last a few minutes. Be
prepared to give your information and explain your science quickly and
completely. You have the right to ask for an interpreter.
Finally, here are information sources detailing further the U.S. visa
application process.
Department of State Internet Addresses:
To Contact U.S. Embassies and Consulates abroad (http://travel.state.gov/travel/abroad_embassies.html)
Consular Affairs (http://travel.state.gov/)
Visa Services for Foreigners Traveling to the United States (http://travel.state.gov/visa/index.html)
Visitor Visas for Business and Pleasure (http://travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_types_visitor.html)
Visa Services Destination USA (http://travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_info.html)
Visa Waiver Program (http://travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_novisa_waiver.html)
Visa Application Forms (http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi_forms.html)
Nonimmigrant Visa Photo Requirements (http://travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_info_photo.html)
Visa Services Fees (http://travel.state.gov/visa/vofees.html#temp)
We hope you find this information helpful as you and your international
colleagues make preparations to join us at this year's PACIFICHEM.
Sincerely yours,
Pacifichem Administration
Visa Application Update from the APS: 7/24/00
Betty Tsang, NSCL, Michigan State
University, USA
tsang@nscl.msu.edu
John M. D'Auria, Simon Fraser
University, Canada
dauria@sfu.ca
Ming-chung Chu, The
Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong mcchu@phy.cuhk.edu.hk
Mahananda Dasgupta,
The Australian National Unviersity, Australia
mahananda.dasgupta@anu.edu.au
Hisaaki Kudo, Niigata
University, Japan
hkudo@sc.niigata-u.ac.jp