Difference between revisions of "Resources/Visa Help"

 
(19 intermediate revisions by 3 users not shown)
Line 5: Line 5:
 
<div class="column full_size">
 
<div class="column full_size">
 
<h1>Visa Help</h1>
 
<h1>Visa Help</h1>
 +
<p><span class="on_page"></span><b>On this page</b> you will find information on:
 +
<a href="#visa_waiver">Visa Waiver Program</a>,
 +
<a href="#visitor_visa">Visitor Visas</a>,
 +
<a href="#invitation_letter">Invitation letter system</a>, and
 +
<a href="#jamboree_schedule">Giant Jamboree Schedule Overview</a>.
 +
</p>
 +
 
<h3>Visa Application Opens: May 1, 2019</h3>
 
<h3>Visa Application Opens: May 1, 2019</h3>
  
−
<p class="red_text">
 
−
For 2019, we strongly encourage you to apply for visas early as the current travel situation into the United States of America remains uncertain and approval of your application may take some time.</p>
 
  
 +
<div class="clear extra_space"></div>
  
 +
<div class="highlight gray post_item">
 +
    <div class="details">
 +
    <span class="icon alert"></span>
 +
        <div class="title">Visa note</div>
 +
</div>
 +
<p> For 2019, we strongly encourage you to apply for visas early as the current travel situation into the United States of America remains uncertain and approval of your application may take some time.  iGEM Headquarters does NOT have any authority over consulate offices or the visa application process.</p>
 +
</div>
 +
 +
<div class="clear extra_space"></div>
 +
 +
<div class="column two_thirds_size">
 
<p>
 
<p>
 
We recommend that teams who need a visa to travel to the United States of America should apply for their visa as early as possible. It can take a long time for some visas to process. Even if the rest of your team has received their visa quickly, it may take longer for yours to be approved. You don't want to miss out on the amazing experience at the Giant Jamboree, so apply early!
 
We recommend that teams who need a visa to travel to the United States of America should apply for their visa as early as possible. It can take a long time for some visas to process. Even if the rest of your team has received their visa quickly, it may take longer for yours to be approved. You don't want to miss out on the amazing experience at the Giant Jamboree, so apply early!
 
</p>
 
</p>
 +
</div>
 +
<div class="column third_size">
 +
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2019/c/c7/2019_Visa_application.png">
 +
</div>
  
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
−
 
−
 
−
<div class="column full_size">
 
−
<div class="highlight gray" >
 
−
<p> <b> Please note:  </b> iGEM Headquarters does not have any authority over consulate offices or the visa application process. Applying early for your travel visa will dramatically improve the chances of a successful visa application.</p>
 
−
</div>
 
−
</div>
 
  
  
 
<div class="clear extra_space"></div>
 
<div class="clear extra_space"></div>
 
<div class="line_divider"></div>
 
<div class="line_divider"></div>
−
<div class="clear extra_space"></div>
+
<div class="clear extra_space" id="visa_waiver"></div>
  
  
Line 34: Line 48:
  
 
<h3>Visa Waiver Program</h3>
 
<h3>Visa Waiver Program</h3>
−
<p>Through the U.S. Department of State's Visa Waiver program, citizens of certain countries can enter the United States for a visit of 90 days or less without obtaining a B-1 Business Visitor visa. Click for the list of <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/visit/visa-waiver-program.html">eligible countries</a> and more information about the Visa Waiver program. </p>
+
<p>Through the U.S. Department of State's Visa Waiver program, citizens of certain countries can enter the United States for a visit of 90 days or less without obtaining a B-1 Business Visitor visa. Click for the list of <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visa-waiver-program.html">eligible countries</a> and more information about the Visa Waiver program. </p>
−
<p>Although you will not need a B-1 visitor visa, you will still need to apply for authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before traveling. Click for the <a href="https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/esta">ESTA website</a>, application procedure, and fee payment.</p>
+
<!--
 +
<p>Although you will not need a B-1 visitor visa, you will still need to apply for authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) before traveling. Click for the <a href="https://www.cbp.gov/travel/international-visitors/esta">ESTA website</a>, application procedure, and fee payment.</p>-->
 +
 
 
</div>
 
</div>
−
 
  
 
<div class="clear extra_space"></div>
 
<div class="clear extra_space"></div>
 
<div class="line_divider"></div>
 
<div class="line_divider"></div>
−
<div class="clear extra_space"></div>
+
<div class="clear extra_space" id="visitor_visa"></div>
  
  
 
<div class="column full_size">
 
<div class="column full_size">
 
<h3>Visitor Visas</h3>
 
<h3>Visitor Visas</h3>
−
<p>If your country does not participate in the Visa Waiver program, you will need a B-1 Business Visitor visa in order to enter the United States and attend the Giant Jamboree. Only the B-1 Business Visitor visa (not the B-2 visa) allows the visa holder to attend and present at scientific conferences. Visit the <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/visit/visitor.html">U.S. Department of State website</a> or contact your local U.S. embassy/consulate for application details. You can also check the visa appointment and processing <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/general/wait-times.html/">wait times</a> online.</p>
+
<p>If your country does not participate in the Visa Waiver program, you will need a B-1 Business Visitor visa in order to enter the United States and attend the Giant Jamboree. Only the B-1 Business Visitor visa (not the B-2 visa) allows the visa holder to attend and present at scientific conferences. Visit the <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/visit/visitor.html">U.S. Department of State website</a> or contact your local U.S. embassy/consulate for application details.</p>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
Line 76: Line 91:
 
<div class="clear extra_space"></div>
 
<div class="clear extra_space"></div>
 
<div class="line_divider"></div>
 
<div class="line_divider"></div>
−
<div class="clear extra_space"></div>
+
<div class="clear extra_space" id="invitation_letter"></div>
  
  
Line 98: Line 113:
  
  
−
<p>Make sure that you are on your team's <a href="https://igem.org/Team.cgi">Roster</a>.  If you are not already on the roster you must join the team and have the primary contact approve your request to join.  Alternatively you can ask the primary contact to provide you with the team membership joining code.</p>
+
<p>Make sure that you are on your team's Roster.  If you are not already on the roster you must join the team and have the primary contact approve your request to join.  Alternatively you can ask the primary contact to provide you with the team membership joining code.</p>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  
Line 106: Line 121:
 
<div class="clear extra_space"></div>
 
<div class="clear extra_space"></div>
 
<div class="line_divider"></div>
 
<div class="line_divider"></div>
−
<div class="clear extra_space"></div>
+
<div class="clear extra_space" id="jamboree_schedule"></div>
  
  
Line 112: Line 127:
  
 
<div class="column half_size">
 
<div class="column half_size">
−
<h3>Giant Jamboree Schedule Overview</h3>
+
<h3>Giant Jamboree Schedule Overview - Coming Soon!</h3>
 
<p>For students who require a schedule to apply for their visa, we recommend you use the schedule overview provided to the right. The schedule overview we provide is often enough detail for your visa application.  
 
<p>For students who require a schedule to apply for their visa, we recommend you use the schedule overview provided to the right. The schedule overview we provide is often enough detail for your visa application.  
 
<br><br>
 
<br><br>
Line 119: Line 134:
  
 
<div class="column half_size">
 
<div class="column half_size">
−
 
+
<a href="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2019/b/b2/Jamboree_schedule.svg">
 
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2019/b/b2/Jamboree_schedule.svg">
 
<img src="https://static.igem.org/mediawiki/2019/b/b2/Jamboree_schedule.svg">
 +
</a>
 
</div>
 
</div>
  

Latest revision as of 15:57, 26 July 2019

Loading...

Visa Help

On this page you will find information on: Visa Waiver Program, Visitor Visas, Invitation letter system, and Giant Jamboree Schedule Overview.

Visa Application Opens: May 1, 2019

Visa note

For 2019, we strongly encourage you to apply for visas early as the current travel situation into the United States of America remains uncertain and approval of your application may take some time. iGEM Headquarters does NOT have any authority over consulate offices or the visa application process.

We recommend that teams who need a visa to travel to the United States of America should apply for their visa as early as possible. It can take a long time for some visas to process. Even if the rest of your team has received their visa quickly, it may take longer for yours to be approved. You don't want to miss out on the amazing experience at the Giant Jamboree, so apply early!

Visa Waiver Program

Through the U.S. Department of State's Visa Waiver program, citizens of certain countries can enter the United States for a visit of 90 days or less without obtaining a B-1 Business Visitor visa. Click for the list of eligible countries and more information about the Visa Waiver program.

Visitor Visas

If your country does not participate in the Visa Waiver program, you will need a B-1 Business Visitor visa in order to enter the United States and attend the Giant Jamboree. Only the B-1 Business Visitor visa (not the B-2 visa) allows the visa holder to attend and present at scientific conferences. Visit the U.S. Department of State website or contact your local U.S. embassy/consulate for application details.

Who should apply for a visa?

Certain countries require a visa for citizens to enter the United States. If you do not yet know who will be attending the Jamboree, err on the side of caution and have all members apply for a visa.

How early should I apply for a visa?

The only way to have the highest chance of successfully obtaining a visa is to apply early.
We suggest all team members should apply at least two months in advance of the Giant Jamboree

What visa should I apply for?

Students should apply for B-1 visas. This visa allows the holder to attend and present at a conference. Do not apply for a B-2 or other travel visa, because other travel visas do not allow the visa holder to present at a conference.

Invitation letter system

You can get a customized invitation letter to use when applying for your visa by using the online invitation letter system.

    To obtain your visa invitation letter, follow these instructions:
    • Log-in to 2019.igem.org
    • Go to your User Information page
    • At the bottom of your account page you will see a box for Visas - Invitation Letters
    • Click on "edit" and enter your information
    • Save your edits
    • Download your invitation letter by clicking on "Download an invitation for the iGEM Giant Jamboree"

Make sure that you are on your team's Roster. If you are not already on the roster you must join the team and have the primary contact approve your request to join. Alternatively you can ask the primary contact to provide you with the team membership joining code.

Giant Jamboree Schedule Overview - Coming Soon!

For students who require a schedule to apply for their visa, we recommend you use the schedule overview provided to the right. The schedule overview we provide is often enough detail for your visa application.

We will not have a more detailed schedule available until October since we cannot finalize the schedule until we know which teams will be attending the Giant Jamboree. October is too late to apply for your visa. If you require a more detailed schedule, please email us at hq AT igem DOT org and we can work with you to provide the documentation you require.

iGEM Foundation

The International Genetically Engineered Machine (iGEM) Foundation is an independent, non-profit organization dedicated to the advancement of synthetic biology, education and competition, and the development of an open community and collaboration. Visit us at igem.org


hq AT igem DOT org


27 Drydock Avenue
Suite 27E-230
Boston, MA 02210


+1.617.500.3106