Having a U.S. visa allows you to travel to a port-of-entry (airport, for example) and request permission of the Department of Homeland Security, Customs Border Protection immigration officer to enter the U.S. A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States.
A citizen of a foreign country, wishing to enter the U.S., generally must first obtain a visa. Most Canadian citizens and many citizens from Visa Waiver Program countries can come to the U.S. without a visa if they meet certain requirements. Visa waiver travelers from ALL 27 Visa Waiver Program countries must present a machine-readable passport at the U.S. port of entry to enter the U.S. without a visa, otherwise a U.S. visa is required. See important information about the 10/26/05 digital photograph and 10/26/06 e-passport requirements for VWP travelers. Learn more. Other foreign citizens will need a nonimmigrant visa.
Nonimmigrant visas are for international travelers, (citizens of other countries), coming to the U.S. temporarily. This visa allows you to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry (airport, for example) and request permission of the Department of Homeland Security immigration inspector to enter the U.S. A visa does not guarantee entry into the United States.
International travelers come to the U.S. for a wide variety of reasons, including tourism, business, medical treatment and certain types of temporary work. The type of visa needed is defined by immigration law, and relates to the principal purpose of your travel. For an overview of the types of nonimmigrant visas available under immigration law, please see Nonimmigrant Visa Classifications on the USCIS website. The Consular Officer at your embassy or consulate will decide what kind of visa you need, when you apply.
For more information, please visit the U.S. State Department website at http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/temp_1305.html
LETTER OF INVITATION:
If you request a Letter of Invitation for you to apply for a U.S. visa to travel to the United States and attend the ISPOR 15th Annual International Meeting (the Meeting) or the Short Course program offered prior to the Meeting), you must be a paid registrant for the Meeting or at least one Short Course. You are also requested to provide the following information by sending an email to visa@ispor.org:
- Your name as it appears in your passport
- Your position
- Your address to receive the letter
- Email to send Letter of Invitation (PDF)
- Your passport number
- Your Meeting/Short Course registration number
Upon receipt of this information, a Letter of Invitation for the Meeting/Short Course will be sent in PDF format to your email given above. If you need the Letter of Invitation to be faxed to you, please provide a fax number. If you need an original hard copy, please notify visa@ispor.org by April 6, 2010.
Please be advised that the Letter of Invitation is to assist you in your visa application to attend the Meeting. ISPOR is not responsible for the issuance of a visa. You are advised to submit your visa application to the appropriate authorities as early as possible.
