International attendees to DUG events should prepare for their trip to the United States by familiarizing themselves with policies and procedures for entering the country: U.S. Visas

The following US government resources provide additional information to assist those visiting the US:

• US visa policies from the Department of State
• US State Department
• Visitor visa information
• List of US Embassies and Consulates

Generally, non-US citizens/residents must obtain a nonimmigrant B-1/B-2 visa to enter the United States for a temporary visit.

Review visa visitor informhttps://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.htmlation

If you are not eligible to travel under the VWP, you may be required to appear at a US embassy or consulate for an in-person interview prior to visa approval. There may be long waits to schedule an interview, so start the application process as early as possible.

See estimated visa appointment wait times

Prepare for Your Visa Interview

To be prepared for your visa interview, you should bring:

• • • A valid passport, which the US Consulate Office should not need to retain
    • The online nonimmigrant visa application (Form DS-160) confirmation
    • Specific and detailed explanations related to your purpose for travel, such as your DUG visa invitation letter
    • Complete travel itineraries and schedules, if appropriate, which does not require an airline ticket proof of purchase
    • Proof of an existing relationship with your inviter, DUG, or other US entities, such as your DUG meeting registration
    • An explanation of how your visit will be funded
    • Your curriculum vitae (CV)

Anyone traveling under the VWP must apply for travel authorization online using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). Travelers must apply for travel authorization at least 72 hours before travel to the United States.

Learn more about the travel authorization process

Through our visa resources addressing potential visa problems and delays, we hope you can easily prepare for your visit to the United States. Please review our resources to avoid visa delays or find resources if your visa has been delayed. You can also review our information about visa applicants not needing to have their passports retained by US Consulate Offices.

Avoid visa problems and delays

Office of Biometric Identity Management

The Office of Biometric Identity Management (OBIM), formerly US-VISIT, analyzes travelers to the United States by collecting biographic information and biometrics (i.e., digital fingerprints and photographs).

Learn more about OBIM

US Customs & Border Protection

US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) provides information for international visitors to the United States, including travel tips, prohibited and restricted items, what to declare at customs, and online arrival/departure forms.

View CBP resources for international visitors to the US

Department of Homeland Security’s Travel Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP)

DHS TRIP is a central point of contact for international travelers “who experience repeated referrals for security screenings or who believe that they have been denied boarding or entry into the United States because of inaccurate or incorrect information.”

Review the DHS TRIP website