The following information is provided as a service by the Heart Rhythm Society — you are encouraged to visit each the applicable agency’s websites in order to ensure the most accurate, up to date information.
If you are a non-U.S. resident, you may need a visa to enter the United States for Heart Rhythm 2010, May 12-15, 2010 at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, CO. To assist in your visa request, you may request a letter of invitation to attend. If you already have a U.S. visa, please check the expiration date to make sure your visa will not expire before or during your planned travel dates.
Since January 12, 2009, visitors previously eligible to travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program now need obtain approval through the USA's Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before traveling. Learn more about both ESTA and VWP below. Additional information about ESTA can be found on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website at http://cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/id_visa/esta/.
Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)
Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) is a free, automated system that determines the eligibility of visitors to travel to the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program. The ESTA application collects the same information collected on Form I-94W. ESTA applications may be submitted at anytime prior to travel, though it is recommended travelers apply when they begin preparing travel plans. Nationals of Visa Waiver Program countries will still be eligible to travel without a visa but will have to obtain an approved travel authorization prior to their travel to the United States.
The ESTA™ application website is available in 16 languages and includes a help section that provides additional information for VWP travelers to guide them through the application process. U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) does not charge VWP travelers a fee for completion of an ESTA™ application. Eligible visitors seeking to travel to the United States under the VWP may apply for travel authorization via site at https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov.
VWP travelers should be aware that unauthorized third-parties have established Web sites, which charge visitors seeking to travel to the United States under the VWP, for information about ESTA™ and for submitting ESTA™ applications to DHS on behalf of the traveler. These businesses and Web sites are not endorsed by, associated with, or affiliated in any way with DHS or the United States Government. Again, the United States Government does not charge a fee to obtain information about, apply for, or obtain a travel authorization through the ESTA™ website. Use of a private service to apply for travel authorization via ESTA™ will not expedite the granting of approval.
Visa Waiver Program
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables citizens and nationals from 34 countries to travel to and enter the United States for business or visitor purposes for up to 90 days without obtaining a visa.
The following countries are currently in the Visa Waiver Program: Andorra, Austria, Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Slovak Republic and South Korea.
Visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website for Frequently Asked Questions about the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and a full overview of the VWP. Effective July 1, 2009, all emergency or temporary passports presented for application to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), including transit through the United States, must be electronic passports (e-Passports). VWP applicants arriving in the United States with a non-compliant passport may be required to undergo further processing and/or denied admission. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) may exercise discretion at the ports of entry in cases of medical or other emergency travel.
Individuals traveling to or transiting the United States under the VWP must present a DHS-approved passport as indicated below.
VWP applicants who are citizens of the following countries — Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, the Republic of Korea, and the Slovak Republic — must present electronic passports (e-Passport).
WP applicants who are nationals of these 27 countries — Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany*, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom — have the following passport requirements:
- October 26, 2005 – Passports issued prior to this date must be machine-readable.
- October 26, 2005 – Passports issued on or after this date must have a digital photo.
- E-Passports are acceptable for this purpose.
- October 26, 2006 – Passports issued on or after this date must be an e-Passport.
Please see the "Visa Waiver Program" page of the U.S. Department of State website for full details on VWP and links for information regarding passport requirements. the "Temporary Visitors to the U.S." page of he U.S. Department of State website is an excellent overall resource guide.
Information for Canadian, Mexican or Bermudan Citizens
The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI) will require all travelers to and from the Americas, the Caribbean, and Bermuda to have a passport or other accepted document that establishes the bearer’s identity and nationality to enter or re-enter the United States. This travel initiative is being implemented in two phases, with the first being air travel. For all three countries, please see the U.S. Department of State website's "Border Countries: Canada, Mexico and Bermuda" for full details and resources.
Obtaining a Visa
After identifying that a visa is needed, foreign travelers should contact the U.S. Embassy Consular Section in their country to determine visa processing timeframes, or visit the “Visa Wait Times for Interview Appointment” page of the U.S. Department of State website for an estimate. Advance travel planning and early visa application are important, since visa applications are subject to a greater degree of scrutiny than in the past. It is important to thoroughly review all information on the specific Embassy's Consular Section website for local procedures and instructions.
Society Visa Guideline Recommendations
The Heart Rhythm Society recommends following these guidelines for obtaining a visa for entry into the United States:
- Request a letter of invitation to attend the annual meeting from the meeting organizer. The invitation letter should specify the subject, location, and dates of the activity. This should be done five to six months prior to the meeting.
- Apply early. The visa application process can take up to six months to complete.
- Applicants should present their entire trip itinerary, including travel to any countries other than the United States, at the time of visa application.
- If completion of travel plans is contingent upon early approval of the visa application, specify this at the time of the application.
- Provide proof of scientific status.
- Provide meeting brochure and letter of invitation.
- Provide evidence that you intend to return to your country of residence; applicants should provide proof of "binding," or sufficient, ties to their home country or permanent residence abroad. This may include documentation of the following:
- family ties in home country or country of legal permanent residence
- property ownership
- bank accounts
- employment contract or statement from an employer stating that the position will continue after the dates of the meeting.
Please note that all foreign visitors will be fingerprinted and photographed upon arrival in the United States.
Requesting a Letter of Invitation
A letter of invitation does NOT guarantee the issuance of a visa. The decision to issue a visa is the sole judgment of the local U.S. Embassy or Consulate. The Society is unable to assist with the actual visa processing. Unfortunately, the Society cannot provide any financial support for travel, registration fees, or local expenses. Questions? contact Chloé Muhammad, Coordinator, Scientific Sessions.
Click here to complete an online form requesting a Letter of Invitation from the Heart Rhythm Society to attend Heart Rhythm 2010, 31st Annual Scientific Sessions, May 12-15, 2010 in Denver, CO, USA
Heart Rhythm 2010 registration will open December 2009 for Society members and January 2010 for nonmembers.
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