Visa Preparation
To receive a letter of invitation, you must fill out a form. An active SCMS membership and conference registration are required.
To request a formal letter of invitation for your visa application, please fill out the Request for Conference Invitation Letter Form.
Please note that the visa process can be lengthy. We urge members to APPLY WELL IN ADVANCE of time of travel.
Registration refunds will be considered on a case by case basis if you encounter issues arising from securing your visa re: the SCMS annual conference.
In light of the increased vetting of some visa applicants by U.S. embassies around the world, SCMS is urging all non-U.S. citizens traveling to our annual conference to inquire about Visa requirements in relation to their home countries.
After completing the form, you will receive a letter of invitation via email. Please allow one week for the Home Office to process your request. If your travel clearance is denied, you may request a refund of your registration fees.
Visa Waiver Program Regulations
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables most citizens or nationals of participating countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for 90 days or less without first obtaining a visa
when they meet all the requirements . Travelers must have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval prior to travel. If you prefer to have
a visa in your passport, you may still apply for a visitor (B) visa.
Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)
The Department of Homeland Security has established the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), an automated system to determine eligibility to travel under the Visa Waiver
Program. All persons traveling under the VWP must apply for an ESTA. Approved ESTA applications are good for a period of two years.
ESTA application website ; $14 fee for each application
The ESTA application will immediately tell you if you are approved, if your request is pending, or if you are not approved (with information about next steps).
E-Passport
Effective April 1, 2016, travelers using the VWP must have an e-passport . These passports have a machine-readable zone on the biographic page and a digital chip containing biometric information about the
passport owner.
B-1 Visa
If you have traveled to one of the countries listed below since March 1, 2011, you will need a B-1 visa ($160) to travel to the U.S. (i.e. the VWP no longer applies to you).
- Iran
- Iraq
- Libya
- Somalia
- Syria
- Sudan
- Yemen
Additional Visa and Passport Information
