FAQs

UCA will provide any international delegates with assistance obtaining a visa and appropriate use of passports.

Visas/Temporary Visitors to the U.S./Passports

International visitors add greatly to our nation’s cultural, education and economic life. We continue the proud tradition of welcoming visitors to the United States, with secure borders and open doors.

Most Canadian citizens and many citizens from Visa Waiver Program countries can come to the United States (U.S.) without a visa if they meet certain requirements. All Visa Waiver Program travelers must present a machine-readable passport at the U.S. port of entry to enter the U.S. without a visa; otherwise a U.S. visa is required. See important information about additional digital photograph and e-passport requirements for VWP travelers. Other foreign citizens will need a nonimmigrant visa.

Nonimmigrant visas are for international travelers (citizens of other countries), coming to the U.S. temporarily. The visa, placed in your passport when issued, allows you to travel to a U.S. port-of-entry (airport, for example) and request permission of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Customs and Border Protection immigration officer to enter the U.S. A visa does not guarantee entry into the U.S.

International travelers come to the U.S. for a wide variety of reasons, including tourism, business, medical treatment and certain types of temporary work. The type of visa needed is defined by immigration law, and relates to the principal purpose of your travel. For an overview of the types of nonimmigrant visas available under immigration law, please see our Visa Types for Temporary Visitors webpage. The Consular Officer at the U.S. embassy or consulate will decide what kind of visa you need, when you apply.

Advance planning can smooth the visa application process for you. Apply for your visa well in advance of your travel!

Important steps to remember:

• Review your visa status, and find out if you need a U.S. visa or a renewal.
• Review the Visa Wait Times information for interview appointments and visa processing at each embassy and consular section worldwide available on our website. Visit the embassy or consular section website where you will apply for your visa to find out how to schedule an interview appointment, pay fees and other instructions.
• Plan on an interview, as well as quick inkless fingerprint scans at the U.S. embassy or consulate, which is required for most visa applicants. Some visa applications require additional administrative processing, which requires some additional time. Applicants are advised when they apply.

 

Letter of Invitation

UCA will send a letter of invitation upon request. Invitations are intended to help international delegates raise travel funds or obtain a visa. Request for letters of invitation must include: attendee name, job title, company name, mailing address (PO Boxes are not acceptable), city, state/province, country, zip/postal code, phone and fax number, and beginning and end dates of travel. Requests should also provide the address, phone and fax number of appropriate embassy.

Please send requests to:

 

Visa Processing Time Information

Recent changes in U.S. laws governing visa policy and procedures have increased the amount of time it can take to obtain a visa. Apply early! Even with the visa processing improvements that have been made and will continue to be made, it is inevitable that delays will sometimes occur. Processing times will vary. The State Department’s goal is visa delivery no more than 30 days from the time of application in most cases, although cases that require administrative processing could take longer. Most administrative processing is resolved within 60 days of application. When administrative processing is required, the timing will vary based on individual circumstances of each case. Therefore, before making inquiries about status of administrative processing, applicants or their representatives will need to wait at least 90 days from the date of interview or submission of supplemental documents, whichever is later. If you want to visit the U.S. and require a visa, plan to schedule your visa interview well in advance of your departure date. Learn more by reviewing this website information and contact the U.S. embassy or consulate where you will apply for detailed “how-to” instructions.

Visa Waiver Program

The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables nationals of 37 participating countries* to travel to the United States for tourism or business (visitor [B] visa purposes only) for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. The program was established to eliminate unnecessary barriers to travel, stimulating the tourism industry, and permitting the Department of State to focus consular resources in other areas. VWP eligible travelers may apply for a visa, if they prefer to do so. Nationals of VWP countries* must meet eligibility requirements to travel without a visa on VWP, and therefore, some travelers from VWP countries* are not eligible to use the program. VWP travelers are required to have a valid authorization through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) prior to travel, are screened at the port of entry into the United States, and are enrolled in the Department of Homeland Security’s US-VISIT program.

Which countries participate in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)?

Currently, 37 countries* participate in the Visa Waiver Program, as shown below:

Andorra
Australia
Austria
Belgium Brunei
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary

Iceland
Ireland
Italy
Japan
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Monaco
New Zealand
Norway
Portugal

San Marino
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Korea
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
The Netherlands
Taiwan
United Kingdom

UCA will send a letter of invitation upon request. Invitations are intended to help international delegates raise travel funds or obtain a visa. Request for letters of invitation must include: attendee name, job title, company name, mailing address (PO Boxes are not acceptable), city, state/province, country, zip/postal code, phone and fax number, and beginning and end dates of travel. Requests should also provide the address, phone and fax number of appropriate embassy.

Please send requests to:

The Organizing Committee invites you to join the World Tunnel Congress 2016 & 42nd ITA-AITES General Assembly. Registrations should be made electronically by visiting Register. During the registration process, you will be able also to sign up for ITA-CET Training Courses, subscribe accompanying person program, technical tours and purchase banquet tickets.

If printed registration is necessary, complete the WTC 2016 Registration pdf form and return no later than 26 February, 2016:

 

After 15 April, 2016, on-site registration fees apply. Full payment MUST accompany the completed Advance Registration Form. When registering by phone, fax or online, DO NOT SEND ANOTHER COPY BY MAIL. Confirmation will be emailed to the individual at the address provided on form.

Please send all receipt inquiries to meetings@smenet.org or contact WTC customer service at +1.303.948.4200

All badges and conference related materials will be distributed onsite at the WTC registration desk located at Moscone Center.

Full, Student, ITA Member Nations Category 3, and ITA Young Member registrations all include: one digital copy of the WTC 2016 proceedings, participation in technical sessions, opening session and keynote lecture, coffee breaks, lunch in the exhibit hall 25-27 April at the Moscone Center and access to the technical exhibit.

Your registration allows you access to all technical sessions. ITAECET Training Courses require additional registration fees.

The exhibit hall is open daily from 12:30 to 18:00 starting Monday 25 April 2016, until Wednesday 27 April 2016.

Onsite registration will open on Saturday 23 April 2016 at the Moscone Center.

All registrations are full program registration, one-day registrations are not available. ITA-CET Training Courses are available for an additional fee(s). Pricing for available training courses may vary. Full conference registration is not required to register for an ITA-CET Training Course. Please visit Register to learn more about ITA-CET Training Course Only registration.

All guests need to be registered for the Accompanying Person Program in order to attend select conference meals and social functions. Purchase of additional tickets for specific events, such as the Congress Banquet, are available at an additional cost. To learn more aboute the Accompanying Person Program, please visit Accompany Person Program.

All changes to an attendee record must be submitted in writing to meetings@smenet.org

If circumstances require you to cancel your WTC 2016 registration, you must do so in writing. Written notice must be sent to WTC Registration, c/o SME, 12999 E. Adam Aircraft Circle, Englewood, CO 80112. Cancellations postmarked on or before 23 March 2016 will receive a refund, less a $100 processing fee. There are no refunds for no-shows and cancellations postmarked after 23 March 2016. Registrants are responsible for cancellation of their hotel accommodations. Substitutions will be accepted at no charge.

The WTC official hotels are the closest in proximity to Moscone Center. WTC has arranged for special discounted hotel room rates for the duration of the conference that are not available at non-official hotels. Learn more about WTC 2016 official conference hotels and make your room reservation today.

If you have additional questions, please contact WTC customer service at +1.303.948.4200 or +1.800.763.3132 (US Only), or registration at meetings@smenet.org.