International Attendees: Tips for Getting Your Visa

With recent changes in the immigration laws, the U.S. State Department advises that anyone who applies for a temporary visa to enter the U.S. should plan on the process taking significantly longer than it has in the past. With this in mind, we strongly urge you to complete and print a personalized letter online or request a letter of invitation via email to customer.service@ons.org to attend the ONS 30th Annual Congress today! Be sure to include your complete name, job title, mailing address, and email address when requesting your letter of invitation. Having this letter can expedite the visa process. Click here for complete information on obtaining a visa.

Request a letter of invitation from ONS at customer.service@ons.org. As a benefit to international attendees, ONS will provide a letter of invitation that may assist you in obtaining a visa. If you need a letter of invitation, please complete and print a personalized letter online or contact ONS by phone at 1-412-859-6100, or by fax at 1-412-859-6162. To ensure that ONS can complete your letter as a personal invitation to you, please include your legal name (as it appears on your passport); and company information (including complete mailing address). Please specify whether you prefer to receive your letter by e-mail OR by fax. If you wish to receive it by mail, it will be sent regular post unless payment information for express shipping is provided.

Schedule an appointment with your embassy as soon as you receive your visa letter. Make your appointment early to avoid the rush and ensure you have adequate time for all document processing. Please request your letter of invitation before making your appointment and have your letter available for your interview.

Research application fees. Find out what fees are required and how you can pay them. Application fees need to be paid before your appointment and are nonrefundable.

Photographs must be current and taken within the past six months. Include a clear photograph on white or off-white background. The photo should measure 2 by 2 inches (roughly a 50 mm square) with the head centered in the frame.

Fully complete all official documents. Answer all questions completely. Do not use "n.a." or "not applicable" in your forms. If the answer is in the negative, use "no", "nil", or "none".

Show proof of "strong ties" that bind you to your country of residence. Ties are the various aspects of your life that bind you to your country of residence: your possessions, employment, social and family relationships.

If returning to the United States, provide documentation that you have returned on time in the past (airline boarding pass for example). If you have previously traveled to the United States, show proof that you returned within the timeframe you stated. For example, use an airline ticket stub/boarding pass that shows your return flight or meeting materials show you attended a business conference.

With your application, include any materials that ONS may have sent you. Include with your application any printed conference materials you receive from ONS to prove that the ONS 30th Annual Congress is a legitimate business event. You may want to show a copy of your Congress registration form.

Travel with an official embassy delegation. Traveling with a delegation organized by your local embassy will improve your chances of receiving visa approval. Many embassies organize official delegations through their commercial sections. If you are interested in joining a delegation, contact your local Embassy and ask if the commercial trade specialist is organizing a delegation.

For further assistance, please contact ONS at customer.service@ons.org, by phone at 1-412-859-6100, or by fax at 1-412-859-6162.