Invitation Letter Template
Click here to download a zipped archive containing a preformatted invitation letter in word document format, which you can comeplete and print out. All areas highlighted in yellow on the example, should be overwritten with your applicable details. Clear the yellow highlighting once completed, and then the letter can be printed.
Traveling to the United States
All visa applicants are advised to apply for their visa as soon as travel to the United States is contemplated, and not later than 3-4 months in advance. This means that international delegates should start the visa process during June - July 2006.
PLEASE NOTE: Some consulates may have backlogs in scheduling visa interviews so applicants should first contact the consulate to find out how long the wait is for an interview. Visa wait times are available at: http://travel.his.com/visa/tempvisitors_wait.php
If you experience any difficulties regarding your visa application, please report your case by completing the questionnaire at http://national-academies.org/visas. To help the National Academies identify you as a Celiac Disease Symposium participant, please remember to include "XII International Celiac Disease Symposium" in Question 14 - "Purpose of visit."
U.S. Visit Program
The U.S. Visit Program was launched in January 2004 to protect the safety of U.S. citizens and international visitors. Beginning September 30, 2004, foreign visitors (including the 27 countries from the Visa Waiver Program) will now experience US VISIT's biometric procedures - digital, inkless finger scans and digital photograph - upon entry to the United States. US-VISIT procedures currently apply to all visitors (with limited exemptions) holding non-immigrant visas, regardless of country of origin. The quick and efficient processes are taking a few seconds in most cases.
For more information on US-VISIT, please go to: http://www.dhs.gov/dhspublic/interapp/editorial/editorial_0527.xml
