The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) allows citizens of specific countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business, for 90 days or less, without obtaining a nonimmigrant visa.
Read the criteria for the program carefully to ensure that you meet all of the requirements to travel to the United States on the VWP.
Review recommended steps to prepare for you Visa interview. Below are additional tips to help you obtain your visa:
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Dress professionally.
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Be punctual.
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Bring all required and additional documents.
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Inform interviewer that you are a physician attending a medical conference to increase your knowledge to better serve your patients and share with them:
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Your medical license, business card, practice / university ID, medical awards, etc.
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A copy of your meeting registration.
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A copy of your letter of invitation from the Academy.
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A letter from a superior.
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Reassure them that you plan to return to your country by sharing with them:
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A copy of the deed to your house, a mortgage statement or a rental agreement.
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Photos of your spouse, family, children, friends and/or pets.
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Your marriage certificate and/or the birth certificate(s) for your children.
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Maintain your composure.
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Be honest.
Overall, you must convince your interviewer that you are a physician, that you are who you say you are and that you plan to come back to your country and not overstay your visa.
International Group Housing
AAO International Group Housing is the official AAO 2024 international group housing provider. Their all-inclusive housing packages include room, breakfast, porterage, gratuities, taxes, multilingual customer service assistance and visa assistance.
Learn more about the options available to international medical attendees or contact International Group Housing directly at info@aao-igh.com.
Continuing Medical Education Credits
European ophthalmologists can convert Continuing Medical Education (CME) credit to meet European Union of Medical Specialists (UEMS) CME/CPD requirements.
The American Medical Association (AMA) has an agreement of mutual recognition of CME credits with UEMS, the accreditation body for European countries. Physicians interested in converting AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ to UEMS-European Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education CME credits (ECMECs) should contact the UEMS at mutualrecognition@uems.eu.
Language
The official language of the Academy’s annual meeting is English.
Dress
Business-conservative or business-casual attire is appropriate for all meeting events. You are welcome to wear traditional clothing from your country. Wear comfortable shoes, as there are long walking distances within the convention center.
Travel Tips
Telephone
- U.S. country code: +1
- Chicago area codes: 312, 773 and 872
- U.S. telephone numbers have seven digits, (e.g., 555-1234). To dial either local or toll calls you must enter 1 + the correct three digit area code + seven digit phone number.
- To call internationally from Chicago dial "011" + country code + area code + phone number.
Exchange Rate
Help plan your trip by checking the current exchange rate of your currency to U.S. dollars.
Tipping
Tipping in the United States is customary. A 20% tip is usually expected in restaurants, taxis and for services you receive.
Electricity
Voltage 120, frequency 60 Hz. Adaptors that may be required are for two flat blades or for two flat blades with a grounding pin.
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| two flat blades or |
two flat blades with a round grounding pin |