Plan your Trip to Atlanta

Helpful links for Planning Travel to ATLANTA!


ATLANTA GENERAL INFORMATION AND VISA INFORMATION

Traveling to Atlanta for the first time? Travel experts such as Lonely Planet and National Geographic  consider Atlanta one of the top destinations to visit. Review the National Geographic Best of the World 2022 list here! Atlanta was also distinguished as the only U.S. city in Lonely Planet’s Best in Travel list for 2022. Their creative, dynamic city showcases everything from sustainability to thriving communities that support one another. Visitors to Atlanta will experience the passion that drives it. Look for much more information on Atlanta, coming soon. 

    Here are some useful steps to follow as you begin your visa application process. 

    Step 1: Conference Registration - Start by registering for IBC24 conference and retain a copy of your confirmation of payment and registration to support your visa application. Ensure to click on VISA LETTER REQUIRED when registering to obtain a letter of invitation from the conference organizers / committee chairs.

    Step 2: Accommodations - Book your hotel through the IBC24 rooming block at the Marriott Marquis, Atlanta. This will guarantee the best rates available in the city for your stay; it also provides another confirmation that your intentions to attend the conference are indeed valid. 

    Step 3 : Travel Accommodations - book your flight ahead of your visa application as one more step to prove your intention to attend, and be sure to obtain a paid receipt - ensure to book a flexible ticket which allows for cancellation in the case your application is denied.   

    Step 4: Visit the US State Department-Visa Information site or visit your nearest US embassy or consulate to determine if you need a visa to enter the USA. If a visa is required, apply for it well in advance, as processing times may vary. A B-1 type Visitor Visa is usually required for this purpose. For attendees also planning to visit on holiday, a B-2 type Visitor Visa may be used. Visa waivers may also be possible for citizens of certain countries. 

    Due to current visa wait times, we advise all registrants to apply for their visa (if required) as soon as possible for the best chance of being accepted prior to the start of the conference. The International Biometric Society is unable to intervene on your behalf to expedite any visa reviews.

    VISA APPLICATION PROCESS

    If you plan to attend The 32nd International Biometric Conference IBC2024 and will be traveling to Atlanta, GA from countries other than the United States, please be aware of the U.S. passport and visa policies for citizens and visitors.

    What is a U.S. Visa?

    A citizen of a foreign country who seeks to enter the United States generally must first obtain a U.S. visa, which is placed in the traveler’s passport, a travel document issued by the traveler’s country of citizenship.

    Certain international travelers may be eligible to travel to the United States without a visa if they meet the requirements for visa-free travel.

    Visa Waiver Program (VWP)

    The Visa Waiver Program (VWP), administered by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in consultation with the U.S. State Department, permits citizens of 40 countries to travel to the United States for business or tourism for stays of up to 90 days without a visa.  In return, those 40 countries must permit U.S. citizens and nationals to travel to their countries for a similar length of time without a visa for business or tourism purposes.  It also includes comprehensive vetting of individual VWP travelers prior to their departure for the United States, upon arrival at U.S. ports of entry, and during any subsequent air travel within the United States.

    If you are not a citizen of these countries or are not eligible to participate in the VWP, please click here, to find out how to obtain a visa. If you do not have access to the Internet, contact your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate for further information.

    You should be prepared to provide supplementary information explaining the purpose of your travel with your visa application. In this regard, the following supplementary information is recommended:

    • If you indicated during the registration process that you require a letter of invitation for Visa purposes to attend IBC2024. A custom letter will be emailed to you within 2 weeks of your registration. If you do not receive this letter within 2 weeks please contact the IBO at conference@biometricsociety.org.
    • If you are a speaker or have an accepted abstract to IBC2024, please include your acceptance letter with your supplementary information.
    • Please provide a letter from your institution, training director or employer stating that you have been given time to attend IBC 2024 and are expected back at your place of employment on a specific date. Be sure the letter uses the name that is on your passport.
    • Provide information on your IBC2024 registration (confirmation number), hotel confirmation and flight information. Be sure you register with your passport name and that your hotel and airline reservations are also made in the name on your passport.

    This supplementary information will demonstrate to the consular officer reviewing your visa file that you are sincere about attending IBC2024, to garner both personal and professional benefits from the conference events and sessions, and then return to your country to share this informational gain with your professional counterparts. It is very important that the name on all documentation in your visa application file matches the name on your passport.

    Remember that having a U.S. visa allows you to travel to a port-of-entry—an airport, for example—but does not guarantee entry into the U.S. Once you arrive in the U.S., you will need to pass through Customs and Border Protection control.