Traveling to the United States

We look forward to welcoming participants from around the world to the 2027 PNS Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois, USA, from 8-11 May 2027. We recognize that international travel requirements can be complex and may vary significantly depending on your nationality, passport, residence, travel history, and purpose of travel. PNS is committed to supporting attendees by providing invitation letters and directing travelers to official resources so they can prepare as early as possible.

Determine Whether You Need a Visa or ESTA

Travelers attending a professional or business meeting generally use one of these routes:

• Visa Waiver Program with ESTA: Eligible citizens or nationals of participating countries may travel for qualifying business visits of 90 days or less without a visa. They must obtain approval through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or ESTA, before travel.
• B-1 or B-1/B-2 visitor visa: Travelers who are not eligible for the Visa Waiver Program generally need a visitor visa. Attending a professional, educational, scientific, or business convention or conference is normally a permitted B-1 activity.
• Other status: Presenters, performers, workers, journalists, and travelers receiving compensation from a U.S. source may need different authorization. Confirm the correct category before applying.

Use the U.S. Department of State Visa Wizard as a starting point. Final eligibility decisions are made by U.S. authorities.

Important: ESTA approval or a visa allows a traveler to request entry. It does not guarantee admission. U.S. Customs and Border Protection makes the final decision at the port of entry.

Apply Early

Visa appointment availability and processing times vary by location. Travelers who need a visa should begin as early as possible and normally schedule their interview in their country of nationality or residence.

Before making nonrefundable travel arrangements:

1. Confirm the appropriate travel authorization.
2. Review the instructions for the relevant U.S. embassy or consulate.
3. Check current global visa appointment wait times.
4. Allow additional time for administrative processing and passport return.

Do not assume that an expedited appointment will be available.

Check Your Passport

Travelers should confirm that their passport:

• Is valid for the entire trip
• Meets any applicable six-month validity requirement
• Is valid for ESTA travel, if using the Visa Waiver Program
• Has the electronic chip required for Visa Waiver Program travel
• Matches the personal information used for the visa or ESTA application

Some nationalities are exempt from the additional six-month passport-validity rule. Review the current CBP passport-validity guidance.

Expedited Abstract Acceptance Notifications for Visa Applicants

Attendees who require a visa to travel to the United States may request an expedited abstract acceptance notification to support their visa application process.

• To be eligible, abstracts must be submitted by 26 October 2026.
• Expedited notification decisions will be issued by 30 October 2026.

Additional details regarding eligibility and the request process will be published when abstract submissions open.

Prepare Supporting Documents

Travelers may wish to carry:

• A valid passport
• A valid visa or approved ESTA
• Meeting registration confirmation (PNS Annual Meeting registration opens January 2027)
• Printed copies of your meeting registration confirmation and invitation letter (if issued)
• Hotel or accommodation details
• Return or onward travel information
• Evidence of sufficient funds for the visit
• Contact information for the meeting organizer
• Documents explaining the purpose and planned length of the visit

International attendees are encouraged to carry printed copies of their meeting registration confirmation and invitation letter when traveling to the United States, as these documents may help explain the purpose of their visit if requested by immigration officials.

An invitation letter may help explain the purpose of travel, but it does not guarantee a visa or admission to the United States.

Additional Visa Requirements for Some Travelers

The U.S. Department of State currently requires certain otherwise eligible B-1/B-2 visa applicants traveling on passports issued by designated countries to post a bond of $5,000, $10,000, or $15,000 USD. The consular officer determines the amount during the visa process.

Applicants should:

• Check the current countries subject to visa bonds
• Post a bond only after receiving instructions from a consular officer
• Use the official government payment link provided to them
• Avoid third-party websites that claim they can arrange or guarantee a visa bond

Bond requirements may change before May 2027.

Entry Restrictions and Country-Specific Rules

Some nationalities or travel-document holders may be subject to full or partial visa-issuance or entry restrictions. Other travelers may face country-specific processing locations, visa-bond requirements, or additional screening.

Review the latest U.S. visa news and notices and the website of the U.S. embassy or consulate serving your country of nationality or residence.

Travelers with dual nationality should confirm which passport they will use throughout the application and travel process.

Social Media and Security Screening

U.S. visa applicants may be asked to provide additional information during the application process, including information related to online presence and social media accounts, depending on the visa category. Applicants should complete all application materials accurately and follow the instructions provided by U.S. authorities.

Current official guidance requires some visa categories to make social-media profiles public or open for online-presence review. This requirement does not automatically apply to every visitor-visa or ESTA traveler. Applicants should follow the instructions for their specific visa category and application.

• Do not provide social-media passwords.
• Do not create false information or omit requested identifiers.
• Review the Department of State guidance on social-media identifiers.
• Monitor visa screening and vetting announcements for changes before travel.

Arriving in the United States

All travelers are inspected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection upon arrival. Be prepared to explain:

• The purpose of your visit
• Where you will stay
• How long you intend to remain
• When and how you plan to leave
• Who is organizing or hosting the meeting

Answer questions truthfully and keep essential travel documents available in your carry-on luggage.

After admission, travelers can retrieve their electronic arrival record through the CBP I-94 website. Check that the admission category and permitted departure date are correct.

Traveling to Chicago

Chicago is served primarily by:

• Chicago O’Hare International Airport, ORD
• Chicago Midway International Airport, MDW

International travelers may complete U.S. immigration and customs inspection at their first U.S. airport, even if connecting to Chicago. Allow generous connection time and confirm baggage-transfer procedures with the airline.

Chicago is one of the largest international gateway cities in the United States, with direct air service from many regions around the world. International visitors generally find a wide range of transportation, accommodation, dining, and visitor services available throughout the city.

Helpful Official Links

• Business travel to the United States: Official guidance on temporary business visits and conferences
• Visa Waiver Program: Eligibility, passport rules, and travel restrictions
• Official ESTA application: Apply for or check an ESTA
• Visitor visa information: B-1 and B-1/B-2 application guidance
• Global visa wait times: Current appointment estimates
• https://www.usembassy.gov/: Local application procedures and contacts
• CBP information for international visitors: Arrival, admission, ESTA, and I-94 guidance
• Current U.S. visa news: Restrictions, processing changes, bonds, and screening announcements

PNS Support for International Attendees

PNS welcomes attendees from around the world and recognizes that travel requirements and entry procedures may change over time.

While PNS cannot influence visa decisions, appointment availability, or admission to the United States, we can:

• Provide official meeting invitation letters to registered attendees
• Provide documentation confirming meeting registration and participation
• Provide documentation regarding the scientific and educational purpose of the meeting
• Share important travel-related updates affecting attendees, when available

Attendees are encouraged to begin planning and applying for any required travel authorization as early as possible.

Need an Invitation Letter?

Registered attendees may request an official PNS Annual Meeting invitation letter to support their visa application process. Invitation letters are issued solely to confirm meeting registration and participation and do not constitute sponsorship or guarantee visa issuance or admission to the United States.

Travel Tip: If you receive an invitation letter from PNS, we recommend carrying a printed copy of the letter along with a printed copy of your Annual Meeting registration confirmation when traveling to the United States.

Request an invitation letter here: https://forms.gle/z2VNecaYH15utd6Z6

When submitting your request for an invitation letter, please provide the following information exactly as it appears on your registration and travel documents:

• Full name exactly as shown in your passport
• Organization or institution
• Complete mailing address
• Registration confirmation number (if available)

PNS cannot contact embassies or consulates on behalf of attendees and cannot provide individualized immigration advice.

If You Encounter Travel Difficulties

We understand that some attendees may experience visa delays, appointment challenges, or other travel-related difficulties. If these issues affect your plans to attend the meeting, please contact the PNS office.

While PNS cannot contact embassies or consulates, influence government decisions, or intervene in individual visa matters, we may be able to provide additional meeting-related documentation that explains the purpose of the meeting and confirms your registration or participation.

Important Notice

Entry requirements can change. Each traveler is responsible for confirming current requirements and obtaining the correct authorization. Travelers with prior visa refusals, overstays, arrests, immigration violations, unusual travel histories, or questions about eligibility should contact the appropriate U.S. embassy or consulate or seek qualified immigration advice.