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Visas Beginning January 12, 2009, The US State Department requires that visitors traveling to the United States from visa waiver countries (i.e. Europe, Japan, Australia, etc.) will have to register online 3 days in advance of travel. For further information about the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), as well as link to a list of visa waiver countries, please visit http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html As part of security procedures, many applications for visas are sent to the State Department for a security review. The Website for the State Department is http://travel.state.gov/visa. You can also visit the "International Visitors Office" Website at http://www.nationalacademies.org/visas. Travelers are advised to apply for a visa as early as possible. Please check with your local U.S. consulate or embassy to find out the earliest that you may apply for a visa www.usembassy.gov/. The visa applications process can take as long as 8 weeks, especially for those countries that are on the State Sponsors of Terrorism List. Attendees from these countries should start the application process at least 6 to 8 months in advance of the Congress. Registration refunds will not be issued after April 8, 2010 for denied visas. Requests for Letters of Invitation: For security purposes, letters of invitation can only be sent to individuals registered for the Congress. Please contact the Congress Management Office to request a letter of invitation at leftwich@faseb.org.
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