Travel
Venue
Moscone West Convention Center
800 Howard Street
(at the corner of Fourth & Howard Streets)
San Francisco, CA 94103, USA
USA Visa Information for Conference Attendees
For those traveling from outside of the USA to San Francisco, please review the following visa options and complete the appropriate documents. The information and resources provided are only meant as a guide and cannot guarantee visa approval.
B‑1 Business Visitor Visa – highly recommended This allows temporary entry for business purposes such as attending conferences, seminars, or professional meetings. The B‑1 visa is non‑immigrant and does not permit employment in the USA.
Attendees need
A passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond departure.
Prove strong ties to their home country (employment, family, property).
An Invitation letter from conference organizer – provided only after registration and payment has been received.
Pay the visa fee.
Attend an interview.
Additional information can be found here.
Visa Waiver Program (VWP) – ESTA Citizens of certain countries that fall under the US Visa Waiver Program (VWP), can enter the USA for up to 90 days without a visa by applying for an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization). This is for short business visits, including conferences.
To qualify for ESTA
Must be a citizen of a VWP country.
Have a valid electronic passport.
Apply for ESTA before your travel, at least 72 hours before flight.
Cannot extend one’s stay or change status while in the USA.
Reasons a visa can be denied can be due to incomplete forms and/or not providing sufficient documentation. Depending on timing, you can reapply.
Resources
To find the fastest appointment center
Visit the U.S. Department of State’s Visa Appointment Wait Times Tool.
Select your country and the specific embassy or consulate.
Check the wait times for B-1/B-2 visas.
Consider applying at a different location if you can travel there and the wait is shorter.
Tips to Get an Appointment Faster:
Apply as early as possible.
Check the wait times often, as they can change.
Be flexible with your travel plans if possible.
If you have an urgent need (such as a last-minute invitation), some embassies offer emergency appointments.