APPLYING FOR A B-1 VISITOR VISA TO ATTEND ASV 2024 IN COLUMBUS,OHIO (JUNE 24-28)
B-1 Visa Overview:
Permissible B-1 Business Activities include participation in scientific, educational,
professional or business conventions, conferences, or seminars. ASV 2024 thus
qualifies for a B-1 Visa.
In order to apply for a B-1 visa to attend ASV 2024 it is necessary to file Form DS-160,
pay the required Visa Application Fee, and schedule an interview at a U.S. embassy toreceive a B-1 visa stamp in your passport. Form DS-160 is filed atceac.state.gov/genniv
Qualified individuals from Visa Waiver Countries can attend the conference under theVisa Waiver Program (VWP) and do not need a B-1 visa. The VWP enables mostcitizens 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 avalid Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approval prior to travel andmeet all requirements. See https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta.
You must be a citizen or national of the following countries to be eligible to travel to theUnited States under the VWP.
••••••••••••••••••••

AndorraAustralia
Austria
Belgium
Brunei
Chile
Croatia
Czech Republic
Denmark
Estonia
FinlandFranceGermany
GreeceHungary
Iceland
IrelandIsraelItaly
Japan••••••••

LatviaLiechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
MonacoNetherlands
New ZealandB-1 Interview Appointment Wait Times can be very long at certain US Embassies soapply early!!! Check wait times online at the Department of State Website athttps://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/waittimes.html. If the wait times are too long at the US Embassy in your country ofresidence, consider traveling to a different country to apply for the B-1 visa. If
applying for the B-1 visa at a US Embassy in a different country, it is a good idea tocontact the US Embassy where you wish to apply in advance to confirm they will
accept your application.
The B-1 Visa application steps:
File Form DS-160
Schedule Visa Interview
Attend Visa Interview
Possible Biometrics
Wait for Processing (Could be subject to 221(g) background check delay)
Check Visa Status Online
Receive Visa DecisionCollect Visa from Designated Collection PointDocuments to bring to the visa interview:•••••

Passport
DS-160 Barcode Confirmation Page
Visa Appointment Confirmation Page
Supporting Evidence discussed below (proof of conference registration, proof ofties to home country/country of residence, and proof of financial ability to visit
U.S. without working)
Check the website of the Embassy if anything else is needed

Supporting Evidence:

A. Proof of Conference Registration
Email evidence of conference registration
Letter regarding attendance
Evidence should provide details of purpose, duration, and nature of conference.
Online evidence about conference (printout from website)
If giving an oral or poster presentation, provide evidence of same
B. Proof of Ties to Home Country/Country of Residence
Letter from PI/Employer regarding nature of your employment/studies, that you will
be attending ASV 2024 from mm/dd/yyyy to mm/dd/yyyy, the reason why you will
be attending the conference, and that you will resume your employment/studies upon
return to home country/country of residence
Proof of property ownership/rental in home country/country of residence
Proof of financial assets in home country/country of residence
Letter(s) from family members regarding their presence in home country/country ofresidence
C. Proof of Financial Ability to Attend ASV 2024 without Working
Bank Statements/Financial Documents showing financial ability to attend conference
without working
Recent pay stubs
Form I-134 completed by a US sponsor with supporting documents including 2022
Federal Tax Return, bank statements, and recent pay stubs. See
https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/forms/i-134.pdf

EMAIL ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT (1) APPLYING FOR A B-1 VISITOR VISA TO
ATTEND ASV 2024, (2) NONIMMIGRANT WORK VISAS, AND/OR (3) APPLYINGFOR UNITED STATES PERMANENT RESIDENT STATUS
TO ATTORNEY BRIAN GETSON
bgetson@getsonimmigration.com
www.researchergreencard.com