International Letter of Invitation
The visa application process to enter the United States has become subjected to greater degrees of scrutiny than in the past. For this reason, the application process can take up to six months or more. You will need to apply for your visa as early as possible, but no later than three months before you wish to enter the United States. One factor contributing to the increase in the processing time is a personal interview that is now required for most applicants as a standard part of visa processing. Once it is known that a visa is necessary for travel, the individual needs to contact the embassy or consulate to schedule an appointment for screening. http://www.state.gov/
For detailed information about applying for a visa refer to the U.S. Department of State website and the National Academies International Visitors Office website.
The U.S. Department of State has added a new feature to its website regarding visa wait times. Since visa applications are under greater scrutiny, the State Department is advising those who wish to travel to the United States for business or other nonimmigrant purposes to plan ahead. The site now provides estimated waiting periods to get an interview to apply for a visa and the estimated time it will take to process the application at the consular section. The visa wait times are shown for various locations around the world. The State Department advises that it is best to check with the local embassy or consular section to confirm the information. To obtain information on wait-times site, go to www.travel.state.gov/visa/tempvisitors_wait4638.php.
Meeting attendees do not need to wait until their paper is accepted to request a Visa Invitation Letter.
Individuals requiring letters of invitation to obtain travel visas must apply using the online form.
Important information regarding OFC/NFOEC Visa Invitation Letters (please read):
Invitation letters take OFC/NFOEC Management 7-10 days to process. Please fill out all the required information on the form completely to the best of your ability. If you are presenting a paper, include the title and session in which the paper will be presented, or if you are exhibiting, please indicate so in your request. Please note that each individual requesting an invitation letter must fill out a separate form. All letters will be sent in PDF form to the email address provided. If a paper letter is required, please respond to the email in which you received the PDF letter. Requested paper letters will be sent complimentary through airmail. This option may take a few weeks to arrive. If you wish to expedite the process, the letter will be spent through Federal Express or UPS with the recipient's account number or credit card number and expiration date. OFC/NFOEC Management reserves the right to request further information regarding the company or affiliation of the attendee to ensure the validity of requests.
If you have any questions about the visa invitation letter application process, please contact:
- Email: visaletter@ofcconference.org
- Fax: +1 202.416.6100
- Mail: OFC/NFOEC Management – Invitation Letter
Optical Society of America
2010 Massachusetts Ave., NW
Washington, DC 20036
Exhibitor Visa Applications:
In order to provide additional supporting documentation for the visa application, OFC/NFOEC Management can provide a separate letter to each exhibiting company confirming participation and indicating previous attendance, if applicable. A copy of this letter will be provided to the primary contact of most international exhibiting companies via email as a PDF (electronic) file, but if an additional copy or original (on letterhead) is needed, contact exhibits@ofcconference.org. If the original is needed via an expedited delivery method, please provide a Federal Express or UPS account number.
NOTE: Refunds for exhibit space will not be made if the visa application is unsuccessful. OFC/NFOEC Show Management cannot take responsibility for unsuccessful visa applications nor intervene with any decisions made by the United State Government on behalf of any exhibitor.