Congress of Neurological Surgeons

OpenCube Visual Design Pad - Save Document

•	The Science of Education… *Advancing the Practice of Neurosurgery*
•	Registration and Housing Now Open!

•	May 13, 2008 Preliminary Program Available Online.
•	May 13, 2008 Online Registration and Housing Available.
•	July 14-August 1, 2008 Resident SANS Challenge Qualifying Rounds.
•	August 20, 2008 Advance Registration & Housing Deadline.




	Announcing the Joint Meeting with the CNS and the Brazilian Society of Neurosurgery!

Do I need a visa to travel to the United States?
A citizen of a foreign country, wishing to enter the U.S., generally must first obtain a visa. The type of visa you must have is defined by immigration law, and relates to the purpose of your travel. International members visiting the US to attend the CNS Annual Meeting will most likely apply for a B-1 visa. A complete listing of visa categories is available through US Citizenship and Immigration Services.

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of certain countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. For a list of VWP countries, visit the US Department of State web site. VWP travelers are screened prior to admission into the United States, and they are enrolled in the Department of Homeland Security’s US-VISIT program. All VWP travelers, regardless of age or type of passport used, must present machine-readable passports. In addition, machine-readable passports issued or renewed/extended between 10/26/05 and 10/25/06 require a digital photograph printed on the data page or integrated.

How do I apply for a visa?
1. Make an appointment to visit the US Embassy or Consulate.
  As a standard part of the visa process, the State Department is now requiring that consular officers interview almost every applicant. Some consulates may have a long wait for an interview so applicants should contact the consulate to schedule an interview as early as possible. Furthermore, many visa applications are sent to the State Department in Washington, D.C. to be reviewed by several agencies. Because of the number of visa applications and the need for thorough security reviews, the process can take several months. Therefore, it is advisable for travelers to apply for their visas as early as possible (at least three to four months before the visa is needed). Contact the nearest U.S. Consulate or Embassy for details on visa application procedures at that post.
  
  Be sure to ask what fees are required and how they can be paid. Application fees are non-refundable and must be paid before your appointment.
2. Get your documentation ready.
  - Create an International Invitation Letter
  - A valid passport.
  - Appropriate applications. These can be obtained through an Embassy or Consulate or online at www.UnitedStatesVisas.gov.
  - Documents to support the application detailing reason for travel and financial status.
  - Proof of payment of fees.
    Remember, as in the past, the consular officer may require additional information or application forms.
3. Submit your application, passport, and supporting documents to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Your application will then be reviewed by the consular officer and, in many cases, by officials in Washington, D.C. For most applicants, the visa is issued within a few weeks. There is no guarantee of obtaining a visa.
4. In some cases, additional reviews will be required.
  Your information is submitted and checked in the world's foremost security database, which includes comprehensive information drawn from both U.S. and foreign law enforcement agencies worldwide. If your name or a close variation indicates security concerns, the process will be delayed. Additional steps will vary from requests for additional interviews and information to official registration and fingerprinting. This may add at least 4–6 weeks to the processing time. Registration upon arrival in the United States is mandatory in many cases but registration can be required in any case regardless of country of origin. See www.UnitedStatesVisas.gov for the most current information about who is affected by this requirement.

What should I do once I arrive in the United States?
A visa allows you to travel from your country to a port of entry in the U.S. In many cases, that port of entry will be the airport where you land. On the airplane you will be asked to complete a short arrival/departure form. When you deplane, follow directions for non-citizen entry. At the airport, a U.S. official will interview you and verify all of your paperwork. Visitors should be prepared to explain what they will be doing during their visit, where they will stay, and when they plan to return to their country. Under the new Department of Homeland Security program, US-VISIT, the official will also take your digital photograph and use an inkless, digital fingerscanner to capture two of your fingerscans. These procedures add only seconds to the overall processing time. Once admitted, you will receive an immigration stamp and proceed to baggage claim and U.S. Customs.