Passport requirements
You are required to have a valid passport to enter the United States. Your passport must remain valid during the entirety of your stay, and your passport must be valid for at least six months from the time of entry.
Visa requirements
In general, travel to the United States does require a visa. But depending on the traveler and the purpose of their visit, there are different visa types available.
Visit the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website to see which visitor visa is best for you and begin the application process.
You will likely also need to schedule a visa interview, so we recommend planning in advance and applying early as wait times for a visa interview will vary depending on where you’re travelling from. Visit the Visa Appointment Wait Times website to learn more about scheduling your visa interview.
Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)
The ESTA provides qualifying international travelers with an option for entering the United States without obtaining a visa under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The application asks standard questions and collects basic information in order to determine eligibility for tourism and business stays of 90 days or less.
The ESTA application can be submitted any time prior to travel, but we recommend beginning the process early and before purchasing airline tickets or arranging accommodations.
Please note: ESTA authorization does not guarantee entry to the United States. Customs and Border Protection officials at your port-of-entry ultimately have the authority to permit or deny admission.
Letter of invitation
A letter of invitation to convention should not be required. However, if it is requested, you will be able to download one from the confirmation email sent after completing your convention registration.
