Travel Resources

VISA Questionnaire

The International Visitors Office (IVO) is a program operated by the Board on International Scientific Organizations. The IVO serves as a resource on visa-related issues for The National Academies, Academy members, as well as scientists and students traveling to the United States for professional activities.

The IVO Questionnaire collects information on visa-related issues from the scientific community. The data collected through the questionnaire will be used to track trends and report urgent visa cases to the U.S. Department of State.

You are eligible to complete the questionnaire if:

• You have applied for a B-1 or combination B-1/B-2 visa to attend a scientific conference, symposium, workshop, or other event related to professional development in your subject area, AND your visa has been undergoing administrative processing for at least 30 days and it is 14 days prior to the U.S. event’s start date.
  
  

  OR

• You have applied for an F-1, J-1, H1-B, O-1, or other visa related to scientific work or study for science-related activities in the United States, AND your application has been undergoing administrative processing for 60 days or longer.

Please note that individuals who have applied for a tourist visa (B-2) or a dependent visa (such as F-2 and J-2) should not complete the questionnaire. Individuals with a visa case that was denied, rather than delayed, also should not complete the questionnaire. Note (Updated March 27, 2017):  The IVO is currently reporting new or pending visa application cases from nationals of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. The IVO recommends that interested parties check the Department of State's webpage on U.S. Visas for continued updates, click here »

U.S. Visa Waiver Program

Under the Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015, travelers in the following categories are no longer eligible to travel or be admitted to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP):

• Nationals of VWP countries who have traveled to or been present in Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, or Yemen on or after March 1, 2011 (with limited exceptions for travel for diplomatic or military purposes in the service of a VWP country).
• Nationals of VWP countries who are also nationals of Iran, Iraq, Sudan, or Syria.

Request Your Visa Letter Early

Note: If you have submitted an abstract for an upcoming meeting or workshop, please request your invitation letter as soon as possible so that you have enough time for the visa application process. MRS does not recommend waiting for abstract status notification before requesting an invitation letter. Learn more about requesting a letter.

International Travel Resources

• Invitation Letter
  International attendees of MRS Meetings often need a letter of invitation from MRS in order to obtain a visa to visit the U.S. Request a visa through MRS. If you have submitted an abstract for an upcoming Meeting or workshop, please request your invitation letter as soon as possible so that you have enough time for the visa application process. MRS does not recommend waiting for abstract status notification before requesting an invitation letter.

Visa Letter Requests

Please include "Invitation Letter Request" in the email subject

• Visa Waiver Program
  The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables most citizens or nationals of participating countries* to travel to the United States for tourism or business for stays of 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. Travelers must have a valid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval prior to travel and meet all requirements explained below. If you prefer to have a visa in your passport, you may still apply for a visitor (B) visa.
• Invitation Letter
  International attendees of MRS Meetings often need a letter of invitation from MRS in order to obtain a visa to visit the U.S. Request a visa through MRS. 
• Nonimmigrant Visa
  Instructions on applying for a nonimmigrant visa from the U.S. Embassy in Moscow and U.S. Embassies in China
• Visa Information
  Information on applying for a visa to visit the United States
• Other International Travel Resources
  A list of resources aimed at ensuring international attendees are familiar with the very latest U.S. passport and visa regulations
• Visa Resources | U.S. Department of State
  A list of resources and links for obtaining a visa
• Rescission: Requirement for Negative Pre-Departure COVID-19 Test Result or Documentation of Recovery from COVID-19 for all Airline or Other Aircraft Passengers Arriving into the United States from Any Foreign Country.
  As of June 12, 2022, the CDC no longer requires air passengers traveling from a foreign country to the United States to show a negative COVID-19 viral test or documentation of recovery from COVID-19 before they board their flight.