International visitors attending MINExpo INTERNATIONAL® 2012 may require a visa to enter the United States. For the latest information, please visit the U.S. State Department website.
Below are suggested steps intended to maximize the chances of visa approval; information on the Visa Waiver Program, and visa requirements for members of the press covering MINExpo.
It can take time to receive a visa. Please begin the process of applying for a visa at least 90 days prior to your departure for the United States.
Submitting an official Letter of Invitation from MINExpo INTERNATIONAL 2012 with your application is an important step in this process. The letter itself will not guarantee your application's approval. The letter is merely supplementary information that explains an applicant's intended travel purpose in the United States. U.S. Embassy officers look at the totality of an applicant's personal and professional situation in determining visa eligibility.
VISA APPLICATION
Take the following steps to give you the best possible chance of securing a U.S. visa.
- Register for MINExpo INTERNATIONAL 2012.
- During the registration process, you will be asked if you need a Letter of Invitation. Be prepared to provide your date of birth and passport number. Your letter of invitation will be emailed to you after your register for the show.
- Print your letter of invitation in color and submit it with your visa application to the U.S. Embassy/Consulate.
ONLINE VISA APPLICATIONS NOW AVAILABLE
If you require a visa to enter the United States, please complete the U.S. State Department Online Non-immigration Visa Application. The online application is utilized by all U.S. embassies. Once you complete the online application, a confirmation will be emailed outlining further instructions for an appointment. U.S. immigration services recommend that you visit the U.S. embassy/consulate in your locale to find out what other supporting documents you will need to take to your appointment.
VISA WAIVER PROGRAM
The Visa Waiver Program (VWP) enables citizens of 36 countries to travel to the United States for tourism or business for 90 days or less without obtaining a visa. The following is a list of countries that qualify for the Waiver under the VWP.
| Andorra | Belgium | Denmark |
| Australia | Brunei | Estonia |
| Austria | Czech Republic | Finland |
| France | Liechstenstein | San Marino |
| Germany | Lithuania | Singapore |
| Greece | Luxembourg | Slovakia |
| Hungary | Malta | Slovenia |
| Iceland | Monaco | South Korea |
| Ireland | The Netherlands | Spain |
| Italy | New Zealand | Sweden |
| Japan | Norway | Switzerland |
| Latvia | Portugal | United Kingdom |
VISAS FOR INTERNATIONAL MEDIA
Members of the international media must have a non-immigrant media (I) visa, to attend MINExpo INTERNATIONAL 2012.
Citizens from a country participating in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), who want to enter the United States temporarily, as representatives of the foreign media traveling to the United States, engaging in their profession as media or journalists, must first obtain a media visa to come to the U.S. They cannot travel without a visa on the Visa Waiver Program, nor can they travel on a visitor (B) visa; and attempting to do so may be denied admission to the U.S. by the Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. immigration officer at the port of entry. For further information on the media (I) visa including the explanation of situations when a visitor visa or Visa Waiver Program can be used, please click here.
